Dental hygiene is important for pets - Dentistry IQ

Vet Jennie answers your questions about pet care in this weekly advice column, created in partnership with the Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA). We will also be highlighting each week some of the animals in the BSPCA sanctuary, in the hope of finding each of them a loving home.

Question: How often should my dog's teeth be cleaned? Is it something that I can do at home or does it need to be done professionally?

Answer: Dental hygiene is as important to pets as it is to people. Daily tooth-brushing in pets is widely practised throughout the world and does wonders at helping maintain the health of their teeth.

Tooth-brushing is, however, something that your pet needs to get used to and requires specialised toothpaste and toothbrushes, which are readily available in Bahrain. There are also specialised chews and food available that are designed to aid pets' dental hygiene.

In order to start tooth-brushing, a soft toothbrush and a pet-specific toothpaste is required. Do not use human toothpaste. Finger brushes work very well in training your pet to accept tooth-brushing.

Initially you want to get your pet used to the taste of the toothpaste by letting them lick it off your finger. Then get them used to you placing this against their gums and gently rubbing. When they are used to that, then you can introduce the toothbrush - start with just a few teeth and gradually increase the number as they get used to the procedure.

You only need to brush the outside surface of the teeth as the inside is kept relatively clean by the tongue's movement.

While tooth-brushing and dental treats will help keep your pet's teeth clean, they will not clean teeth with plaque build-up already present. Plaque is a hard layer that builds on the surface of the teeth that is often accompanied by foul breath and requires professional cleaning under general anaesthesia.

It is more common for cleaning to be required in older animals, so pets over seven years old should have regular dental check-ups with a vet to assess their dental health. In certain small breed dogs, such as Yorkshire Terriers, this may be required much younger.

Jennie works at Dr Nonie Coutts Veterinary Surgery. Please send questions to vetquestions4bspca@gmail.com

BSPCA's dog of the week is Blanca

Breed: Local mixed

Colour: Cream

Sex: Female

Age: Approximately five months

Neutered: No

Blanca is a real sweet and gentle girl with a huge appetite for love. She enjoys running, playing, taking walks and would be the perfect family companion. Blanca is intelligent and can be easily trained. She has had all her vaccinations and is ready to go home with you.

BSPCA's dog of the week is Shadow

Breed: Cross mix

Colour: White and grey

Sex: Female

Age: Approximately four months

Neutered: No

Shadow is one sweet, loving girl. She is an incredibly kind temperament, playful, energetic and would be well-suited in a family with children. Shadow has loving, soft brown eyes and big ears. She will capture your heart immediately. Come in today to meet her.

View the original article here