Which Dental Product Is Right For Your Pet?

By Tammy Washburn, LVT

 

            There are numerous dental products on the market to help keep your dog or cat’s teeth clean. Most of them require you starting with clean teeth or mild tartar build up.  The best time to start these plaque and tartar prevention products is shortly after a dental cleaning or around 9 months - a year of age. 

Here are a few
of the products on the market:

• Oravet is a dental sealant.  It prevents plaque and tartar from attaching to the tooth.  Once a dental cleaning has been done and the teeth are clean, the owner applies Oravet to the tooth, along the gum line. This application is done once a week.  Studies show that it prevents plaque and tartar build up by 50%.  For more information go to www.oravet.com 

• T/D food has a uniquely designed kibble shape.  The kibbles are larger than your average food
  
  and therefore have to be chewed.  As your pet chews the kibble cleaning off the plaque from the tooth.  This food can be used as your pet’s food or as a daily treat.  This is an easy and quick way to help keep your dog or cat’s teeth cleaner without taking up a lot of time.  For more information go to www.hillspet.com

• Enzadent tooth brush kit is another way of keeping your pet’s teeth clean.  Like Oravet, brushing helps prevent tartar build up.  The tooth brush and paste are made specifically for dogs and cats.  It is recommended that you brush your pet’s teeth 3-4 times a week for it to be the most effective.

• CET chews have an abrasive texture that works with your pet’s chewing action by loosening the tartar.

• Rawhides work in a similar manner as the CET chews.  Each time the dog chews on the rawhide it helps to remove plaque from the teeth. 

• Greenies are another chew product.  In addition to cleaning off the teeth with each chewing action they also help to freshen the pet’s breath.  The company recommends giving one chew a day.  For more information go to www.greenies.com

• Dentahex oral rinse helps to reduce plaque and freshens breath.  It is recommended to rinse your pet’s mouth after each meal.

• Leba III is a natural dental cleaner.  By spraying it into your pet’s mouth twice a day it will stimulate enzymes in the saliva to clean away the plaque.   For more information go to www.lebalab.com 

There are many more products on the market as well.  Look at these products and see what would work best for your lifestyle and what your pet will like or tolerate.  The important thing is to keep your dog or cat’s teeth clean which will reduces the number of dental cleanings needed and you will have a  healthier pet.
If you have any questions please contact us at 502-863-0868