This article identifies common consumer pain points that prevent consistent pet oral care. It also outlines an ideal care routine comprised of vet visits, dental cleanings, and at-home oral care. Additionally, it promotes alternatives to toothbrushing, and the potential consequences of skipping oral care. The article concludes by offering an approach to make oral care easier for pets and pet parents.
One of the most common questions among pet owners is, “Why is it so hard to keep up with my pet's oral care?” That question reveals two truths. First, most of us know taking care of our pet's teeth is important. And second, despite knowing our pets need oral care, many of us have trouble staying consistent with a routine. If you've ever felt ashamed or like you're a “bad” pet parent due to this lack of consistency, you're not alone. Today, we're digging deep into the reasons oral care seems difficult for so many pet parents and offering some key strategies to get you and your pet back on track.
Why Is Pet Oral Care So Hard?
First off, we need to clear something up: you're not a bad pet parent. Taking time to learn about your pet's oral care needs and attempting to meet those needs means you care about your pet. And realistically, a lack of love is usually not the reason oral care falls by the wayside. Instead, two recurring problems tend to pop up when it comes to consistent oral care for our pets: confusion and cooperation.
Many of us believe we know exactly what to do regarding oral care until we hit an unexpected roadblock. For example, deciphering the best way to clean your dog's teeth. Is there a best way? Does it involve a standard toothbrush or a silicone finger brush. Is it better to brush after meals or before breakfast? These kinds of questions create confusion and leave us feeling overwhelmed—sometimes to the point where we skip oral care altogether. The biggest struggle, however, is getting our pet on board. For an oral care routine to work, you need their cooperation and trust. Without those, even the best-behaved pets become fearful and anxious.
What Does a Good Oral Care Routine Look Like?
Let's first tackle the confusion element by explaining what an ideal oral care routine SHOULD look like for MOST pets. There are only three components: at-home maintenance, regular dental cleanings, and appropriate vet visits. As for ideal at-home care, most pet owners should be removing plaque from their pets' teeth every day. But many pets won't tolerate that level of intervention at first.
That's where the cooperation comes in. For the best results, we recommend you start slowly—maybe only once or twice per week—if your pet hasn't had consistent oral care recently. Focus on consistency instead of frequency. You can even set a 1-2 minute alarm set for the same time every day and make that your designated oral care window. Eventually, your pet will begin to associate that time with their daily oral care routine. To build cooperation, you should also praise and treat your pet as often as possible. This helps establish a positive association with the practice. Once they're comfortable, slowly increase the frequency until oral care is a daily part of your routine.
What If My Pet Won't Tolerate a Toothbrush?
You might have noticed we didn't recommend toothbrushing as the sole entry point for your pet's oral care. That's because even though toothbrushing is considered the gold standard for plaque removal, it's not always the best place to start your pet's oral care journey. If your pet isn't keen on letting you near them with a toothbrush, there are a host of products available as alternatives to the traditional toothbrush. These include dental wipes for dogs, dental wipes for cats, silicone toothbrushes, and even flavored toothpastes. (And if you'd like to try the best flavored toothpaste for dogs, check out our Beef & Pumpkin flavored toothpaste!) Many of these products do a fantastic job of helping you introduce routine care to your pet. Silicone finger brushes, for example, are often less invasive than a traditional toothbrush, and their soft bristles mean less irritation to sensitive gums. Likewise, dental gel for dogs is an alternative to toothpaste. Unfortunately, that means you'll need to experiment with these products to find the one that suits you and your pet. If that sounds like a lot of work, we understand. That's why we put together this 20-second quiz to help kickstart your oral care journey.
What Happens If I Just Skip Oral Care?
We understand the temptation to skip oral care altogether—especially considering the daily effort involved. But before you do, a word of warning: research has shown that neglecting oral care can promote periodontal disease—specifically in dogs. Periodontal disease also shares a link with both heart and kidney disease. This means neglecting your pet's oral care needs can have significant consequences.
Likewise, pets with a long history of periodontal disease may need tooth-extraction surgery, affecting their quality of life and costing you money. Currently, dental extractions range from $140 to $2500 or more depending on where you live and the severity of the periodontal disease. Most importantly, however, periodontal disease is painful. Your pet can't tell you they're in pain, and since most are hardwired to hide it, by the time they show their discomfort, the problem has been building for a while.
How Do I Find the Right Oral Care Routine for My Pet?
Because each pet and pet owner differs, there is no one-size-fits-all oral care routine. While the broad guidelines of at-home care, dental visits, and vet care make up the ideal trifecta, at-home care will need a little tweaking and experimentation.We encourage you to try several options to find something that works for your circumstances and for your pet's preferences. (Even the best dog toothpaste, for example, is worthless if your dog hates it.) To save you some time and some money searching for the right products, we've put together a quick HICC PET quiz to help get you started in the right direction. Answer a few quick questions, enter your email address, and we'll send personalized care recommendations straight to your inbox.
Is Oral Care Really That Important?
Yes. And most pet owners already know how important oral care is for our pets. The good news is, with a little patience and the right tools, oral care doesn't have to be a struggle. The key is to meet your pet where they are, go slow, provide ample positive reinforcement, and manage their stress. And if building a routine takes a few tries, don't give up. Instead, commit to adjusting your approach until you find the routine that works best for you and for your pet.
FAQ
What's the best oral care routine?
There are three key components to ideal pet oral care: regular vet visits, regular dental cleanings, and at-home care. Pet owners may need to experiment to find the perfect at-home routine that works for both them and their pet.
How often should I brush my pet's teeth?
The ideal frequency for tooth brushing is once a day. However, you might need to start at once or twice a week until your pet gets comfortable. Using praise and treats can also help build a positive association.
When should I discuss my pet's oral health with my veterinarian?
Oral health should be a topic discussed at every routine vet visit. However, if your pet is experiencing pain, bleeding gums, or refuses to eat or drink, contact your vet immediately.
