Dental Health
Q: Is there a safe product I can give my dog to help maintain healthy teeth in between cleanings?
A: A healthy oral cavity is an extremely important aspect of your pet’s overall well being. There are several excellent retail products available to help maintain the optimal health of your dog’s mouth (oral cavity) between regular (usually annual) teeth cleanings (dental prophylaxis). They range from special veterinary diets, to healthy chew treats, to post-meal rinses and water additives, to toothbrushes and toothpastes – all designed specifically to help you look after your pet’s oral health.
Royal Canin manufactures a veterinarian-exclusive dry diet called “Dental”. An alternative to a dietary change for your pet may be found with some of the oral care offerings from Virbac Animal Health. Virbac’s C.E.T. line of dental care products features a variety of very useful products including both rawhide and veggie chew treats, an oral hygiene rinse and a water additive (Aguadent). Finally, as there is never a substitute for brushing, Virbac has a line of specially designed toothbrushes, enzymatic and tartar control toothpastes, all intended to aid in the removal of tartar and plaque from your dog’s teeth.