Humans are supposed to brush and floss twice a day. We even have fancy products and tools like mouthwash, water flossers, electric toothbrushes, and polishers. We put a lot of effort into dental care for ourselves, but what about our sharp-teethed companions?
This February, in honor of Pet Dental Health Month, we want to talk about the importance of consistent dental care and share some strategies to keep your pet's teeth clean and healthy.
There are several reasons that you should prioritize your pet's dental health. Some of these reasons are surface-level/superficial, such as the way your dog or cat's teeth look and how their breath smells, but the importance of dental health goes much deeper than this.
Poor dental health can lead to gum inflammation, situational pain (while chewing or playing with toys), chronic pain, tooth decay and death, periodontal disease, and increased risk of severe ailments like kidney and liver disease and congestive heart failure.
How is it possible that poor dental hygiene could lead to potentially fatal diseases? Inflammation in your pet's mouth is not only uncomfortable but can also act as a direct conduit for bacteria to get into the bloodstream. That bacteria can then take root in other organs like the kidneys and liver.
Another major concern regarding your cat or dog's dental health is their nutrition and appetite. If your pet experiences pain when trying to eat, they may avoid eating whenever possible. If you've ever had a toothache, you know how challenging mealtimes can be! Unfortunately for our dear companions, they can't call up the dentist and make an appointment. It's up to us to notice the signs of dental pain and get them the help they need.
Even more, unfortunately, dental diseases are incredibly common in both dogs and cats, with an estimated two-thirds of dogs over three years old and 50 to 90% of cats over four years old suffering from some level of gingivitis or periodontitis. Here are some potential signs that your dog or cat is having dental issues that need to be addressed:
If your dog or cat displays any of these symptoms, it's a good idea to visit your vet to get their dental health checked out. Of course, no one wants to see their pet in pain or risk their health, so the best course of action is to focus on prevention.
There are a lot of simple things you can add to your pet's routine that can keep their teeth healthy and chomping away well into old age. Outlined below are some methods, products, and practices that can help sustain your dog or cat’s dental health.
When your pet chews on a dental bone or treat, it helps prevent tartar buildup by scraping their teeth as they chew. Some products also have enzymes that reduce bacteria that cause bad breath. The effectiveness varies depending on the product, but high-quality dental chews can reportedly reduce oral bacteria in dogs by 60 to 70%.
Cats usually aren’t as excited about chewing as dogs are, but there are dental treat options for cats that help partially remove plaque in the same way dental chews do for dogs. It’s important to look at the ingredients of your pet’s dental products to ensure there aren’t a lot of chemicals and artificial additives.
Though dental chews can be a lovely addition to your dog or cat’s treat allotment for the day and can help prevent plaque buildup, regular brushing and dental checkups at the vet are still a must.
Both dogs and cats can greatly benefit from consistent toothbrushing. In fact, many veterinarians suggest that brushing your pet's teeth daily (or even twice a day) is the best way to maintain their dental health, but brushing three times a week is the minimum recommended amount.
If your cat or dog isn't used to the toothbrushing process, they may feel uncomfortable at first. Starting a brushing routine early on in your pet's life is one of the best ways to ensure they are comfortable with it. Going slowly and getting your pet used to the feeling of your finger or a cloth going over their teeth can be a great first step.
For regular brushing, you will need a soft-bristled toothbrush, and if your pet likes it, specially made cat or dog toothpaste (not human toothpaste). Gently lift your pet's lips and lightly brush their teeth to avoid irritating their gums. Getting your pet used to tooth brushing is a process, so don't be discouraged if you only get a few teeth brushed at a time in the beginning.
In humans, probiotics are purported to have a number of benefits on oral health, such as preventing periodontal disease, oral infections, and gingivitis. Probiotics may also have the same positive effects on pets. A probiotic supplement can support oral health by maintaining the mouth's microbiome and preventing the overgrowth of "bad" bacteria.
Colostrum is the first milk that mammals produce after giving birth. This substance is full of nutrients that help the mother's infant develop normally, build an immune system, digest food properly, and so much more.
When given in a supplemental form to our pets, colostrum can help improve their immune responses, support tissue health, help with digestion and gastrointestinal disorders, and more. Using colostrum as a health supplement may also help reduce your pet's bad breath and prevent oral infections and dental diseases.
Many herbs, such as thyme and sage, have anti-microbial properties that can support your pet's holistic dental health and treat bad breath. For example, oils, tinctures, and pastes containing sage and thyme herbal blends can help treat or prevent gingivitis and reduce inflammation and bacterial growth.
Just like dental chews, herbal products made with safe and natural ingredients can be a great addition to your pet's regular dental health regimen, but it isn't a replacement for brushing or vet visits.
In the wild, canines and felines eat raw bones regularly. This is what helps keep their teeth clean and healthy. Chewing through different materials can clean in between their teeth and prevent plaque from forming. Though it often comes as a surprise to many pet owners, your dog or cat can have raw bones, preferably with extra meat on them.
Feeding raw (never cooked!) bones to your dog or cat can benefit their health in a multitude of ways. The nutrients from the meat and the bone can make your pet's bones and teeth stronger and improve their digestive health. In addition, the mechanical action of gnawing on a bone has been shown to effectively remove plaque and tartar from your pet’s teeth, and it can also help maintain gum health by improving blood circulation.
There are a few guidelines you should follow if you give your pet a raw bone:
It's a common misconception that our pets don't need a similar level of dental care to humans. Our dogs and cats don't have entirely self-cleaning mouths, and their modern diets often aren't optimized for dental health, so they need consistent dental care to ensure healthy mouths and teeth.
So many pets have dental issues that go unnoticed, which can lead to pain and long-term health issues. To keep your pet happy and feeling good for longer, taking care of their teeth and gums is vital.
In addition to regular vet check-ups, toothbrushing and feeding raw bones are two of the best ways to prevent plaque buildup and keep teeth and gums strong and in good condition. Herbal blends, dental chews, probiotics, and colostrum can also be great additions to your pet's dental care routine.
Check with your local Neighborhood Pet Shop - they could be running these special Pet Dental Health Month Astro Offers!
Wanadamu wanapaswa kupiga mswaki na kutumia kitambaa mara mbili kwa siku. Pia, kuna vifaa vya kuosha meno kama vile maji ya kuosha mdomo, flossers za maji, brashi za meno za umeme, na polishers. Sisi sote tunahitaji kutumia muda mwingi kutunza meno yetu, lakini vipi kuhusu marafiki wetu wenye meno makali? Katika Februari, mwezi wa afya ya meno ya wanyama, tunapendekeza kutumia mbinu za matibabu ya meno ili kuhakikisha meno yako ni safi na afya. Kuna sababu kadhaa kwa nini unapaswa kujali afya ya meno ya mnyama wako. Baadhi ya sababu hizi ni za juu, kama vile jinsi meno ya mbwa wako au paka yanavyoonekana na jinsi pumzi yao inavyochoma, lakini umuhimu wa afya ya meno ni wa kina zaidi. Afya mbaya ya meno inaweza kusababisha uvimbe wa taya, maumivu ya hali (wakati wa kutafuna au kucheza na vitu vya kuchezea), maumivu ya muda mrefu, kuoza kwa meno na kifo, ugonjwa wa periodontal, na hatari ya kuongezeka kwa magonjwa mabaya kama vile ugonjwa wa figo na ini na kushindwa kwa moyo. Ni kwa nini kunaweza kuwa na magonjwa yawezao kusababisha kifo kwa sababu ya kutoangalia meno vizuri? Ugonjwa wa mdomo wa mnyama wako sio tu usio na furaha, lakini pia unaweza kuwa njia ya moja kwa moja kwa bakteria kuingia kwenye mtiririko wa damu. Baakteria hiyo inaweza kisha kuenea katika viungo vingine kama vile figo na ini. Jambo jingine muhimu kuhusu afya ya meno ya paka wako ni lishe na hamu yake ya kula. Ikiwa mnyama wako ana maumivu wakati wa kujaribu kula, anaweza kuepuka kula wakati wowote inapowezekana. Ikiwa umewahi kuwa na maumivu ya meno, unajua jinsi wakati wa kula unavyoweza kuwa mgumu! Kwa bahati mbaya kwa wenzetu wapendwa, hawawezi kupiga simu daktari wa meno na kupanga miadi. Ni jukumu letu kutambua dalili za maumivu ya meno na kuwapa msaada wanaohitaji. Kwa mfano, ugonjwa wa meno ni kawaida sana kwa mbwa na paka, na inakadiriwa kwamba asilimia mbili ya mbwa wenye umri wa zaidi ya miaka mitatu na asilimia 50 hadi 90 ya paka wenye umri wa zaidi ya miaka minne wana ugonjwa wa meno au ugonjwa wa meno. Kuna dalili kadhaa ambazo zinaweza kuonyesha kwamba mbwa wako ana matatizo ya meno ambayo yanahitaji kushughulikiwa: Ikiwa mbwa wako ana dalili yoyote, ni wazo nzuri kutembelea daktari wako wa mifugo ili kuangalia afya ya meno yake. Bila shaka, hakuna mtu anayetaka kuona mnyama wake akiteseka au kuhatarisha afya yake, kwa hiyo njia bora ya kutenda ni kukazia fikira kuzuia. Kuna mambo mengi rahisi unaweza kuongeza kwa chakula cha mnyama wako ambayo inaweza kuweka meno yao afya na chomping mbali vizuri katika uzee. Chini ni baadhi ya mbinu, bidhaa, na mazoea ambayo yanaweza kusaidia kudumisha afya ya meno ya mbwa au paka wako. Wakati mnyama wako anapotafuna mfupa wa meno, husaidia kuzuia tartar kutokana na meno yake. Pia, baadhi ya vyakula vina enzymes zinazopunguza bakteria zinazosababisha pumzi mbaya. Ufanisi wa dawa hiyo unatofautiana kulingana na bidhaa, lakini inaripotiwa kuwa dawa ya kutafuna ya ubora wa juu inaweza kupunguza bakteria za mdomo kwa mbwa kwa asilimia 60 hadi 70. Paka kwa kawaida hawafurahii kutafuna kama mbwa, lakini kuna chaguzi za matibabu ya meno kwa paka ambazo husaidia kuondoa plaque kwa njia ile ile ambayo kutafuna meno hufanya kwa mbwa. Ni muhimu kuangalia viungo vya bidhaa za meno ya mnyama wako ili kuhakikisha hakuna kemikali nyingi na viambatisho vya bandia. Ingawa kutafuna meno inaweza kuwa nyongeza nzuri kwa mbwa wako au paka's matibabu ya mchana na inaweza kusaidia kuzuia mkusanyiko wa plaque, brushing mara kwa mara na uchunguzi wa meno katika daktari wa mifugo bado ni lazima. Mbwa na paka wanaweza kufaidika sana kwa kupiga mswaki meno mara kwa mara. Wataalamu wengi wa mifugo wanasema kwamba kusafisha meno ya mnyama wako kila siku (au hata mara mbili kwa siku) ni njia bora ya kudumisha afya ya meno yake, lakini kusafisha meno mara tatu kwa wiki ni kiwango cha chini kinachopendekezwa. Ikiwa mbwa wako au paka wako hawajazoea brushing meno, wanaweza kujisikia vibaya. Kuanza utaratibu wa brushing mapema katika maisha ya mnyama wako ni moja ya njia bora ya kuhakikisha wao ni starehe na hilo. Kuchukua hatua ya polepole na kupata mnyama wako kutumika kwa hisia ya kidole chako au kitambaa kwenda juu ya meno yao inaweza kuwa hatua kubwa ya kwanza. Kwa kawaida, unahitaji brashi la meno lenye manyoya laini, na ikiwa mnyama wako anapenda, dawa ya meno ya paka au mbwa (si ya binadamu). Kwa upole, nyunyizia mdomo wa mnyama wako na usafishe meno yake kwa urahisi ili kuepuka kuchochea taya zake. Kuanza na brushing meno ni mchakato, hivyo usikate tamaa kama wewe tu kupata meno machache brushed kwa wakati mmoja. Katika wanadamu, probiotics inadaiwa kuwa na faida kadhaa kwa afya ya mdomo, kama vile kuzuia ugonjwa wa periodontal, maambukizo ya mdomo, na gingivitis. Huenda pia viungo vya probiotiki vikiwa na matokeo yaleyale mazuri kwa wanyama-vipenzi. Dawa ya probiotic inaweza kusaidia afya ya mdomo kwa kudumisha microbiome ya mdomo na kuzuia ukuaji wa kupita kiasi wa bakteria "mbaya". Colostrum ni maziwa ya kwanza ambayo mamalia hutokeza baada ya kuzaa. Ni dutu yenye virutubisho vinavyomsaidia mtoto kukua vizuri, kujenga mfumo wa kinga, kumeng'enya chakula vizuri, na mengi zaidi. Kwa sababu ya matumizi yake katika afya ya wanyama, colostrum inaweza kusaidia kuboresha majibu ya kinga, kusaidia afya ya tishu, kusaidia na magonjwa ya utumbo na gastrointestinal, na zaidi. Kwa kutumia colostrum kama nyongeza ya afya, unaweza pia kusaidia kupunguza pumzi mbaya ya mnyama wako na kuzuia maambukizo ya mdomo na magonjwa ya meno. Mimea kama vile thyme na sage ina uwezo wa kuzuia vimelea na inaweza kusaidia afya ya meno ya mnyama wako na kutibu pumzi mbaya. Kwa mfano, mafuta, tincture, na pastes zenye mchanganyiko wa mimea ya sage na thyme zinaweza kusaidia kutibu au kuzuia gingivitis na kupunguza uvimbe na ukuaji wa bakteria. Kama vile kutafuna meno, bidhaa za mimea zilizotengenezwa na viungo salama na vya asili zinaweza kuwa nyongeza kubwa kwa utaratibu wa kawaida wa afya ya meno ya mnyama wako, lakini sio mbadala wa brushing au ziara za daktari wa wanyama. Katika mazingira ya porini, mbwa na paka hula mifupa mbichi kwa ukawaida. Hii ndiyo inayosaidia kuweka meno yao safi na yenye afya. Kukula vitu tofauti-tofauti kunaweza kusafisha kati ya meno yao na kuzuia mabaki ya meno yasijitokeze. Ingawa mara nyingi huwa jambo la kushangaza kwa wamiliki wengi wa wanyama, mbwa wako au paka anaweza kuwa na mifupa mbichi, ikiwezekana na nyama ya ziada juu yao. Kulisha mbichi (haijawahi kupikwa!) Mifupa ya mbwa wako inaweza kusaidia afya yako kwa njia nyingi. Vyakula vya nyama na mifupa ya wanyama wa kufugwa huimarisha mifupa na meno ya wanyama na kuboresha mfumo wa kumeng'enya chakula. Kwa kuongezea, hatua ya mitambo ya kutafuna mfupa imeonyeshwa kuondoa kwa ufanisi plaque na tartar kutoka kwa meno ya mnyama wako, na pia inaweza kusaidia kudumisha afya ya taya kwa kuboresha mzunguko wa damu. Kuna miongozo michache unapaswa kufuata ikiwa unatoa mfupa wako mbichi: Ni dhana potofu ya kawaida kwamba wanyama wetu wa pets hawaitaji kiwango sawa cha huduma ya meno kwa wanadamu. Mbwa na paka hawana mdomo unaojisafisha kabisa, na chakula chao cha kisasa mara nyingi hakifai kwa afya ya meno, kwa hivyo wanahitaji utunzaji wa meno wa kawaida ili kuhakikisha vinywa na meno yenye afya. Mnyama wa kipenzi ana matatizo ya meno ambayo huenda bila kuonekana, ambayo inaweza kusababisha maumivu na matatizo ya afya ya muda mrefu. Ili mnyama wako awe na furaha na kujisikia vizuri kwa muda mrefu, ni muhimu kutunza meno na taya zake. Kwa kuongezea uchunguzi wa kawaida wa daktari wa meno, brushing meno na kulisha mifupa mbichi ni njia mbili bora za kuzuia mkusanyiko wa plaque na kuweka meno na nywele imara na katika hali nzuri. Mchanganyiko wa mimea, dawa za kutafuna meno, viungo vinavyotumiwa katika matibabu ya meno, na colostrum pia vinaweza kuwa nyongeza nzuri kwa utaratibu wa utunzaji wa meno wa mnyama wako. Angalia na duka lako la wanyama wa karibu - wanaweza kuwa wakifanya ofa hizi maalum za Astro za Mwezi wa Afya ya Meno ya Wanyama!