National Pet Dental Health Month is February, so to raise awareness of this important part of a pet’s health and well-being, we’ve put together a spotlight on 4 pet dental products available on the market. From toothbrushes to toothpaste, check out these dental products and consider making product recommendations to your clients throughout the month.
Client compliance with home dental care can help maintain the pet’s oral health and prevent the progression of oral diseases. “When I had dental work [care]I always like to provide a dental home kit because…in just a few weeks…plaque and tartar can build up, and pet parents want to be proactive,” says Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, chief veterinary officer for dvm360in an episode of The Vet Blast Podcast.
1. Cat brush
Cat brush. (Photo credit: RYERCAT)
RYERCAT introduces a dual-sided toothbrush, specially designed for cats. One side has a round micro head for daily brushing. The bristles are soft so they won’t hurt the cat’s gums. The pick at the other end allows owners to remove any excess food stuck in the back molars. This side is also charcoal-infused, which prevents the spread of bacteria. The company was recently one of the finalists for Purina’s 8th annual Pet Care Innovation Prize.
2. Dental swabs
Vetradent dental wipes. (Photo credit: Dechra)
Successfully brushing a pet’s teeth is a struggle for many clients and Jan Bellows, DVM, DAVDC, DABVP, FAVD, recognizes this struggle. “The toothbrush is a great idea. It’s the gold standard, but almost no one can pull it off,” he said. Bellows also mentioned that brushing teeth is often not a Fear Free experience for the pet. Dental wipes offer a gentler experience and Vetradent wipes are one of her product recommendations. Vetradent wipes are designed to help owners remove tartar and build-up from their pet’s teeth and remove any bacterial growth.
3. Toothpaste
CET Enzymatic Toothpaste. (Photo credit: Virbac)
If your pet is good at using regular toothbrushes and toothpaste, Virbac’s CET Enzymatic Toothpaste becomes a dvm360 Top Recommended Veterinary Product (TRVP) for 2022 and 2023 in our “Canine & Feline Toothpaste” category. Enzymatic toothpaste comes in 5 enticing flavors: Poultry, malt, vanilla-mint, beef, and seafood. This pet-safe toothpaste contains no foaming agents and is therefore OK for pets to swallow.
4. Water additive
CET AQUADENT FR3SH Dental Solution water additive. (Photo credit: Virbac)
Pet water additives are not a replacement for regular toothbrushing, but rather serve as supplemental care similar to using mouthwash in humans. Many water supplement products available today are designed to freshen breath and reduce plaque-causing bacteria in the oral cavity. Owners simply add the standard liquid solution (although some brands offer a powder or gel) to their pet’s dish water. Most water additives are colorless and tasteless to ensure that pets will not reject the treated water. However, some brands offer flavors, such as peanut butter, that can add an extra incentive for pets to enjoy it. The goal is that by regularly drinking water enhanced with antimicrobials, pets ultimately accumulate less bacteria, slowing the progression of periodontal disease. Virbac CET AQUADENT FR3SH Dental Solution water additive is another dvm360 TRVP for 2022 and 2023. Virbac water additive has 3 ingredients: erythritol, a natural sweetener, has a deodorizing effect on the mouth; inulin, a natural prebiotic to help control bad breath; and pomegranate extract, a natural antioxidant.
