Caring for your pet's dental health when they won’t let you brush their teeth

Have you ever tried to brush your pet’s teeth? You probably found out they’re like most dogs and cats: they don’t like it.

Knowing this, what are you supposed to do to maintain proper dental care for your pet? You’re not the only one asking. If you’re not able to brush your dog or cat’s teeth at home, here are some things you should know about caring for their dental health.

Have your pet’s teeth examined every year

Having your vet check your pet’s teeth every year is key to staying on top — or ahead — of dental problems. Yearly exams allow your vet to address any concerns with their teeth and gums. Veterinarians have a trained eye for the less-obvious signs of dental disease.

Watch for signs of oral health problems

While only a veterinarian can diagnose oral health problems such as dental disease, there are things that you as the pet owner can watch for. The sooner you notice symptoms like these, the quicker your pet can get treatment:

• Bad breath
• Broken or loose teeth
• Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
• Teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar
• Abnormal chewing, drooling or dropping food from the mouth
• Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
• Pain in or around the mouth
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth

Schedule regular teeth cleanings

Just like humans, dogs and cats need their teeth professionally cleaned regularly. In most cases, cats only need cleanings once a year. For dogs, it depends on their size. Small dogs can benefit for two cleanings a year because they can develop dental disease early on. Medium dogs typically only need one cleaning a year. And large dogs can sometimes go two years between their cleanings. While these are general guidelines, always ask your vet what’s best for your pet.

Things you can do at home that aren’t brushing their teeth

While brushing your pet’s teeth is the best preventive at-home care, many pets just won’t let you. If that’s the case, the next thing you can try is applying a veterinary-approved gel or rinse. But if they don’t like that either, the next best options are dental chews, dental diets or supplements you can add to their food. Just be sure to check with your veterinarian which products are safe to use.

Consider pet insurance to help cover the cost of dental cleanings

The out-of-pocket cost for a professional dental cleaning depends on several things:

• Where you live
• Overhead expenses the veterinarian’s office has (rent, salaries, taxes, etc.)
• How much anesthesia your pet requires
• The amount of work that needs to be done (a simple cleaning vs. unexpected treatment, such as tooth extractions)

The average cost can be anywhere from about $200 - $2,000. Many pet owners choose to get pet insurance to help cover these costs. Look for the optional wellness packages that include coverage to help pay for teeth cleanings.