Dental Health for Our Pets!

No one likes going to the dentist, even our pets! Let’s talk about management and prevention methods to avoid extra vet visits! At Baron’s K-9 Market dental health is important year round, and we are a one-stop shop for dental health.

Dental problems are increasingly common and hard on the wallet. A dental cleaning can cost anywhere from $300- $1,300+ depending on if extractions are needed. Any sort of anesthesia can be costly and there can be long lasting complications. Many pets suffer from Periodontal Disease, which is the infection and inflammation of the gums due to a buildup of plaque on the teeth. There are also increased health risks that are associated with having dental issues, such as heart, liver, and kidney problems due to the bacteria that’s associated with dental issues.

Thankfully there are easy and natural ways to avoid such issues from arising, while simultaneously treating existing issues! Whenever your pet comes into your life, getting them comfortable with their mouth being examined is imperative, as it makes dental care easier down the road. Starting a routine of performing a dental exam once a week is a great way to monitor your pet’s dental health. A dental exam is very simple, it involves looking at gums and the teeth of your pet and checking for any abnormalities. Bad breath can also be a sign of poor dental hygiene! At Baron’s we want to help keep those 42/30 (dog/cat) adult teeth tartar free!

Let’s address some key points and misconceptions about dental health

Misconception #1

“Kibble cleans teeth” – Dog and cats generally do not chew their kibble long enough for any tartar to be scraped off and on top of this, kibble fundamentally needs a starch to bind together all of the ingredients, which in turn feeds the bacteria that tartar utilizes to thrive. Starches break down into sugar, which bacteria and cancer thrives off of. Switching to a low-carb and high moisture food, such as raw or canned food is key in stopping tartar even before it has a chance to start!

Types of cleaning

Manual abrasion – Manual abrasion comes in two forms- chews and brushing. Chews are definitely the easiest option for most situations, as they are hands off for owners and dogs enjoy keeping those teeth clean! Choosing the right dental chew depends on your dog and the state of their dental health. For dogs that still have the ability to chew, semi-hard chews would be a great fit. Finding a variety of chews that your dog uses different methods/teeth to chew is perfect for scraping the tartar off on a majority of teeth. At Baron’s, we have a vast selection of all types of chews that keep our pets smiling! We also carry various toothbrushes for when chews aren’t possible. The frequency of brushing depends on the individual dog and their lifestyle, but 2-3 times a week is ideal. Although, any brushing is beneficial. Just like for humans, watch for red, swollen, or bleeding gums. We carry toothbrushes and paste, our two favorites are the Pure & Natural toothbrush/gel set and Petosan Antibacterial finger cloth. Both work in similar ways, it just depends on what is easiest for you! If inflammation is present, the Pure & Natural gel is great as it contains a couple of different ingredients to help soothe the gums while brushing.

Enzyme based – There’s an enzyme called bacillus lichenformis, which is found in kelp that “eats away” tartar bacteria and helps prevent tartar from forming. This method works great for older dogs who can’t handle chewing. In some cases, with enzyme based methods owners may need to also brush their dog’s teeth since it works best when paired with manual abrasion. We have a powder option for kelp, that is from Plaque Off that sources their kelp from Iceland. Kelp powder is also very helpful for the cats in our lives that need some help with dental hygiene, especially since cats are very particular about texture and chews. For the powder, all you need to do is sprinkle it on top of their food. In most cases, you’ll start to see results within a couple of weeks!

Dual purpose – There are a couple of brands that use both enzymes and manual abrasion to help keep teeth and gums healthy. Some of our favorites at Baron’s are PlaqueOff, Indigenous, and Ark Naturals due to their effectiveness and they don’t contain any unnecessary ingredients. In the freezer, we have fermented pig hooves and chicken feet. Due to the fermentation,they aren’t just a chew; they provide good bacteria that reduces the ability of tartar forming!