Along with taking care of your pet’s skin and fur, it is also important to take care of their teeth. The teeth that your puppy or kitten has now are “baby” teeth and will fall out between 4-6 months of age. They are very sharp but are not as strong as the adult teeth will be.

For puppies, it is important to understand that they are teething and will require items to chew. Be careful that the items are not too strong that they result in broken teeth. Kongs are great to use for teething and training as you can freeze different ingredients in them to keep your puppy busy while protecting their teeth.

Pets do experience dental disease and so it is important to care for their teeth. Daily brushing is the best way to help to maintain healthy teeth and gums so starting when your pet is young is imperative. It is a good idea to start gradually by playing with your pet’s gums and gradually work up to a proper brush. Positive reinforcement with something tasty is also a good idea. Do not use human toothpaste to brush your pet’s teeth.

Almost every pet will need to have their teeth professionally cleaned under general anesthesia at least once in their lifetime, and for most pets, it is recommended to have them cleaned once every year or two. Your veterinarian can help you determine when this is necessary for your pet.