Dental care for dogs and cats

Why dental disease is so common

Every time your pet eats, a soft film of bacteria called plaque builds up on the teeth. If it is not removed, it hardens into tartar, which sits along the gumline and irritates the gums. Over time this can lead to gum inflammation, loose teeth, infection and pain.

Dogs and cats rarely show obvious distress about their mouths. Most keep eating even when a tooth hurts, because eating is a strong instinct. That means problems can be well advanced before anyone notices. Small dog breeds, flat-faced breeds and older pets of either species tend to be more prone, but any pet can be affected.

Cats can also develop painful conditions such as tooth resorption, where the tooth structure breaks down, and inflammation of the gums and mouth. These need a vet to diagnose.

Signs to watch for

Have a look in your pet's mouth now and then, when they are relaxed. Gently lift the lip at the side. Healthy gums are usually pink (some pets have natural dark pigment), and teeth should be fairly clean, without thick brown deposits.

Signs that something may be wrong include:

• Bad breath that is stronger or different from usual
• Red, swollen or bleeding gums
• Yellow or brown tartar along the gumline
• Dropping food, or food falling out of the mouth
• Chewing on one side, or tilting the head while eating
• Pawing at the face or rubbing the mouth along the floor
• Drooling more than normal, sometimes with blood
• Reluctance to eat hard food or play with chew toys
• A broken or discoloured tooth
• Swelling on the face, especially below the eye

When to call your vet

Book an appointment if you notice any of the signs above, particularly bleeding, facial swelling, a broken tooth or a change in eating. Contact your vet promptly if your pet stops eating, seems to be in pain, or a cat stops grooming. Cats that go without food for more than a day or so can become unwell quickly, so do not wait and see.

Even if all looks well, ask for a mouth check at each routine visit. Your vet can spot early changes you might miss.

Choosing the right toothpaste and brush

Always use a toothpaste made for pets. Human toothpaste is not designed to be swallowed, and some contain xylitol, a sweetener that is dangerous to dogs. You can read more about xylitol and other risky ingredients on our toxic foods page. Pet toothpastes are safe to swallow and often come in flavours dogs and cats enjoy.

For the brush, you have a few options:

• A soft pet toothbrush with an angled head
• A small, soft child's toothbrush (with pet toothpaste only)
• A finger brush, which some owners find easier to start with
• A piece of gauze wrapped around your finger for the very first stages

Introducing brushing gradually

Most pets will not accept a toothbrush straight away. The aim is to make brushing a calm, rewarding part of the day, built up over a couple of weeks or longer. Go at your pet's pace and stop before they become uncomfortable.

1. Get them used to touch. Gently handle the muzzle and lift the lips for a second or two, then reward with praise or a small treat. Repeat over several days.
2. Introduce the toothpaste. Let your pet lick a little from your finger. Many treat it as a treat in itself.
3. Rub the teeth with a finger. Put some paste on your finger and run it along the outer surfaces of a few teeth, starting with the easy-to-reach canines and front teeth.
4. Bring in the brush. Let your pet sniff and lick it first, then brush a few teeth with gentle circular movements along the gumline.
5. Build up slowly. Gradually work towards the back teeth and aim for around a minute or two in total. The outer surfaces matter most; you do not need to open the mouth wide.

Keep sessions short and positive. If your pet growls, pulls away hard or tries to bite, go back a step. Daily brushing gives the best results, because plaque forms quickly, but a few times a week is still far better than nothing.

If your pet has a sore mouth already, brushing may hurt. Have the vet check them first.

Chews, diets and other extras

Some products can help reduce plaque and tartar build-up. They work best as a supplement to brushing, not a replacement:

• Dental chews designed to scrape the tooth surface. Choose a size suited to your pet and supervise while they chew.
• Dental diets with a kibble shape and texture intended to clean the teeth as your pet bites.
• Water additives and gels, which some owners find useful for pets who will not tolerate a brush.

Avoid very hard items such as antlers, bones and hard nylon toys, which can break teeth. A useful rule of thumb is that if you cannot press a fingernail into it, it may be too hard. Remember that chews contain calories, so count them as part of your pet's daily food allowance.

Professional cleaning

If tartar has built up or there is gum disease, brushing alone will not remove it. Your vet may recommend a professional dental clean. In dogs and cats this is done under general anaesthetic, which allows the vet to clean above and below the gumline, check each tooth properly, take X-rays if needed and treat or remove painful teeth.

Anaesthetic always carries some risk, and your vet will talk you through it, often with pre-anaesthetic checks for older pets. The decision about whether and when to go ahead is one to make together with your vet. Non-anaesthetic cleaning that only scrapes the visible surface does not address what is happening under the gums, so it is worth discussing with your vet before considering it.

After a clean, starting or restarting a home brushing routine helps keep the mouth healthier for longer.