Nutrition

1 – Feed your pet nutritious food that is species appropriate — high in quality protein and low in carbohydrates. Two good choices are grain-free and raw.

2 – Give your dog raw bones or high-quality dental chews to help keep plaque and tartar from forming on their teeth. Do not feed dogs cooked bones as they may splinter and if swallowed may cause injury to their digestive tract. Always supervise your dog when they’re enjoying a raw bone or chew to prevent choking or tooth damage.

Regular Inspections

3 – Get to know your pet’s mouth by doing regular inspections. Check for bad breath that’s not food related along with loose teeth, plaque and tartar build up and unusual lumps or bumps along the gum line or on or under the tongue.

4 – As part of your pet’s annual check-up, make sure your vet checks their teeth for any problems. Remember, even if you are diligent about keeping your pet’s teeth clean, some may still require a professional cleaning by your veterinarian.

Daily Brushing

5 – The gold standard for caring for your pet’s teeth is daily brushing. (See How to brush your dog’s or cat’s teeth.) If, for whatever reason, daily brushing is not possible, there are several good oral health products on the market, in spray or gel form, that help keep plaque and tartar from building up on your pet’s teeth.