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| Want to Save a little $ Dough? Posted: 02 Feb 2010 08:56 AM PST
I would not forgo annual exams, as I've stated in the past. Spotting problems early and staying current on vaccinations is less expensive in the long run than crossing your fingers. But, there are things you can do yourself that will save on pet health related expenses. One area where most of us are remiss is in home dental care for both dogs and cats. As you may know dental disease is very common in pets and routine dental care for them is just as important as it is for us and our human kids. While we may have taught the kids how to brush and floss, it is impossible to teach the dog or cat to do the same for themselves. As I'm writing this I'm sure there's a U-Tube video out there somewhere of a cat with a toothbrush. The thought of brushing our pet's teeth gives many of us pause. Kind of like tossing that disgusting tennis ball at the dog park. Yuk. But when you think about the alternative, it becomes a little more feasible. In addition to all the disease issues associated with poor dental care for dogs and cats the cost of remedial dentistry when you've got a roaring case of periodontal disease can really set you back. I bet many of you have tried and failed with tooth brushing. If a pet is not accustomed to being handled around the mouth almost anything you do is going to turn into a slobbery wrestling match.The key is to start slowly and be patient. You have to have the right tools to begin with. Brushes should be designed specifically for dogs and cats and don't ever use Crest or something like it. They need their own tooth paste. Something in beef or chicken flavor would be nice. Yum. Once you have the tools, you have to have a plan. The first thing to do is to gently get them used to you examining their mouths. Start by gently rubbing the muzzle and chin areas. Progress to moving your fingers under their cheeks and gently rubbing the gums. It's really not as gross as you think. If you can floss your own teeth you can do this. Put a dab of the doggy or kitty tooth paste on the tip of your finger and rub it along the gum line. Let them lick it off your finger. It should taste pretty good to them. Once the are OK with you around their mouth, you can introduce the tooth brush or finger brush, if you prefer. Be patient, have the treats ready and offer up plenty of praise for even a few seconds of brushing activity. In many dogs and cats you'll be able to spend up to a minute or so working over the gum line of the outer teeth. That's about all you need three or four times a week. Daily is good, too, if they are up for it. Don't forget to wash your hands when you are finished. Imagine what your mouth would be like if you went a year without brushing or flossing. A few years of that and you'd be looking at dentures. Neglecting your pet's teeth can have serious consequences and it can get expensive, too. Remember, a good dental cleaning on a cat or dog requires anesthesia and will be more expensive than the one you get every six months. A good program of home dental care means you have to have professional help less often and when you do, things will go easier on the dog, the cat, and your wallet. As they say a picture is worth a thousand words and I came across an excellent video on home care as part of Pet Dental Health Month. Check it out here and give a home dental care plan a try. |
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