While February is National Pet Dental Health Month, dental health should be a daily ritual for pet owners all year long. Yeah, right! For longer than the three decades I’ve been working in animal health, we’ve promoted dental care, regular oral exams and periodic cleaning. Yet, approximately 75 percent of dogs and cats over the age of three have periodontal disease. Despite chews, toys, brushes and toothpaste we have not made much progress in helping pet owners provide daily oral care.
The AVMA offers a strong set of tools for members. AAHA updated its Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats in 2013 and other organizations promote routine dental care for pets. In most materials, year-round dental care is actively recommended. Still, I have seldom had a veterinarian or vet tech push me on daily care. We may be complaining about compliance at the pet owner level, but are we really talking teeth with pet owners? Dental care starts at home.
Source: The Huffington Post, January 2016.
Many pet parents incorrectly assume an annual cleaning by a veterinarian is sufficient to maintain their dog’s or cat’s dental health. Others avoid performing home dental care for their pets because it seems too difficult. But with a bit of training, the right tools, patience and persistence, most pet owners can learn how to control the plaque in their dog’s or cat’s mouth in just a few minutes a day.
INSIGHTS: AHD sponsor Addison Biological Laboratory has several products in the Maxi/Guard line for dog and cat dental care. The most recent is Maxi/Guard Oral Cleansing Wipes. These taste-free wipes are both an effective pet oral product and applicator all in one. The product site includes simple, home-like video instructions that resonate with pet owners. Assertive veterinary teams are now demonstrating the Wipes during initial puppy and kitten visits as well as new pet visits. They include the 100 ct. jar as a take home dental care product that both adults and children can use every day. For veterinary nurses, this product is easy to demonstrate and support.