Dental care - cleaning the kitty's teeth

I am always looking for ideas for better ways to clean the kittys and dogs teeth. It's very important to clean their teeth and get rid of that old tartar. I have quite a few kittys and two dogs and it's hard to find time to do dental
care every day, since I also take care of the strays in the city where I live. I was wondering what the members here do that works good. I've tried mouthwashes in between when I brush their teeth. One vet told me that using a piece of guaze with pet toothpaste on it will work as good as brushing.

Do you all have any ideas for us to do their dental care regularly if we don't have time to brush every day? It's easy to do when you only have a few kittys or dogs to take care of. They've had their teeth cleaned at the vet, but that isn't enough, they have to be cleaned at home frequently.

I've tried the finger route and that didn't work for me. My fingers are simply too big. So I brush with a cat toothbrush and cat toothpaste. I won't know until their next exam whether I'm really accomplishing anything, but just to my eye, their teeth do look like they're in pretty decent shape.

I suppose if you don't have time to brush their teeth, dental chews will help. I think they're a rather distant runner-up to brushing, though. I suppose the rinses are in the same ballpark. I tried the rinse and my cats thoroughly hate the taste. It's a real battle trying to squirt it in their mouth.

Dental chews and Dental Diets available at the vets really do make a difference. I see a huge improvement in the dental health of patients whose owners pay attention and use dental care products. Good for you- you are giving your pet the best care AND saving money on future dentals by avaoiding extractions!

I have a cat that needed his teeth cleaned twice a year. At the advise of my vet, I started feeding my cats Science Diet Oral Care and Tiger hasn't had to get his teeth cleaned in 2 years.

Medi-Cal will soon be coming out with a dental diet- I can't wait!

Well I am surprised to hear that the dental diets really do anything to help clean their teeth, I thought that was a marketing gimmick. I have mine on Authority, but maybe I'll mix in some of the dental diet foods to help remove the plaque . I haven't heard of Medi-cal, I suppose thats a prescription brand. Mine also don't like the taste of the mouthwashes (mostly peppermint) and I wonder if they do anything to remove plaque .


We should keep looking for good ways to clean their teeth, it is important.

:angel

There's no way a dental wash can remove plaque. It can help to reduce buildup, but can't remove what's already on there. Only professional cleaning can do that.

the dental diets make great treats or so said a few vets

Originally Posted by coaster

There's no way a dental wash can remove plaque. It can help to reduce buildup, but can't remove what's already on there. Only professional cleaning can do that.

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I think you're probably right on that. Brushing is the best way and baking soda in the toothpaste (pet type of toothpaste) is the best for the routine cleanings.