How to Keep Your Dog or Cat's Teeth Healthy: A Vet's Guide
How to Keep Your Dog or Cat's Teeth Healthy: A Vet's Guide
Written by Alessandro Didiano (doctor in veterinary medicine, MRCVS)
Disclaimer: This article is personally written by me, a licensed veterinarian with more than a decade of clinical experience. It’s for general information only and not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult a vet for health concerns or emergencies.
It all started with a very smelly kiss.
The patient was Tilly, a lovely and friendly 8-year-old Labrador Retriever. Her owner, a bright and energetic girl in her early 20s, had booked a dental check with a very specific motivation.
A few nights earlier, she'd invited a Tinder date over. Things were going well, actually "really well!". Until Tilly, always very affectionate, decided to introduce herself with a full-face kiss.
The poor guy, apparently, stepped back, very shocked. He gagged dramatically and kept sniffing his shirt sleeve like he was trying to confirm it wasn’t a chemical spill. According to Tilly's owner, “He didn’t leave, but let’s just say... the mood never quite recovered.”
A quick look in Tilly's mouth confirmed what I feared: angry red gums and thick yellow tartar all over her mouth.
Tilly's case isn’t unusual. In fact, over 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of dental disease by the age of three. Poor dental hygiene, in pets as in people. can lead to pain, infections, and even problems with the heart, kidneys, and liver.
So, how do you keep your pet’s teeth in top shape? As a vet who’s received too many smelly kisses, here’s what I recommend.
1. Yes, You Can Brush Your Pet's Teeth (and You Should!)
The gold standard of pet dental care is very simple: brushing.
Daily brushing removes plaque before it hardens into tartar, therefore keeping gums healthy and teeth strong. When I first started working as a vet, just mentioning brushing a pet’s teeth would make clients laugh out loud. It sounded absurd to most people. Fast forward to today, and brushing your pet’s teeth is finally being taken seriously. It might still feel like a wild idea if you’ve never done it, but with the right tools (and patience!) it can absolutely become part of your routine.
How to Brush, I hear you ask? When brushing your pet’s teeth, always use pet-specific toothpaste (never human toothpaste, as it often contains xylitol and fluoride, which are very dangerous to animals). Start slowly by letting your pet lick the toothpaste off your finger to get them comfortable with the taste. Use a finger brush or a soft-bristled pet toothbrush, and gently lift their lip to brush the outer surfaces of the teeth using small circular motions.
You don’t have to get every tooth in the first go. Just make it a positive experience, and build up gradually.
Want to try? Here is a great product which I recommend in my daily clinical practice:
2. My Pet Hates Brushing. Now What?
One of the most common things I tell my clients is, “I spend my day advising people to brush their pets’ teeth… but my own dog won’t let me.” They always laugh, but it’s absolutely true! My mischievous dog (who, by the way, still hasn’t figured out I’m a vet after all these years, I must be doing something right) hates having her teeth brushed. When she came into my life, she was already three years old, and with her stubborn personality, I never quite managed to establish the perfect dental routine. Her tolerance for brushing lasts about 30 seconds a day, and I try to make every second count. Not all pets are very patient, actually some are not patients at all (That said, it’s definitely much easier if you start from scratch with a puppy, kitten, or a more cooperative pet.) If brushing truly isn’t an option, don’t worry; there are alternatives, but just keep in mind they’re never quite as effective as brushing.
Dental chews for dogs work by using...well, the mechanical action of chewing. This can help reduce plaque and tartar build-up because, as your dog chews, the friction physically scrapes plaque off the surface of their teeth (similar to how brushing works). Some chews also contain ingredients that help fight bacteria. This option isn’t often available for cats for the simple reason that "good luck getting a cat to chew something just because you want them to!"
Water additives, available for both dogs and cats, can help reduce the bacteria in the mouth.
There’s also the option of using dental wipes, which offer a quick way to remove plaque and bacteria with a simple swipe.
Finally, specially formulated dental diets can help "scrub" the teeth as pets chew, providing a passive (but very beneficial!) way to support oral health.
Here are a few products I regulalry recommend in my daily practice:
These products do help, and if brushing is not possible, they are your next best bet. But, let me repeat once again (because it is very important!), brushing will always come out on top.
3. Professional Scale and Polish (and Sometimes Extractions)
Even with the best home care, pets may still need a professional dental cleaning. This is done under general anaesthesia, where we remove tartar, polish the enamel and assess each individual tooth.
In severe cases, extractions may be needed. Please, don’t be alarmed if your vet tells you extractions are needed. Removing painful or infected teeth can vastly improve your pet’s quality of life. Many pet owners are surprised to see their friends regain joy and become noticeably happier after dental treatment. I’ve witnessed grumpy and withdrawn cats transform into affectionate, purring machines once their painful mouths have been treated.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Dental Health Slide
One of the most frustrating things for me as a clinical veterinarian is when I fail to explain the true importance of dental care to my clients. I want to make this absolutely clear: oral hygiene is about far more than just fresh breath. It’s essential for preventing pain, infections, and, in extreme cases, serious damage to vital organs caused by chronic inflammation.
Brush your pet’s teeth if you can. If brushing isn’t possible, use supporting dental products to help maintain oral health. When necessary, don’t hesitate to opt for professional dental cleaning and treatment. I understand that these procedures can be costly, but many veterinary clinics now offer payment plans to make it more manageable. And if you’re bringing home a puppy or kitten, please consider getting a pet insurance that covers dental care (some don't, but this is changing and now most of them do).
One last thing before you go: If your pet's breath suddenly smells worse, or they drool, paw at their mouth, or stop eating hard food, please get them checked.
As usual, any questions or comments, please let me know!