Brushing Your Pet's Teeth
Brushing Your Pet's Teeth Brushing your pet's teeth might seem like an unlikely feat, but veterinarians say it's a great idea. "The gold standard is to brush your pet's teeth on a daily basis," Cruz says. Not realistic? Aim for once or twice a week. At the pet store , pick up a cat or dog toothpaste and a toothbrush kit, which includes a special toothbrush or a small brush that fits over your finger and inserts easily into your pet's mouth. Avoid human toothpaste, which can upset pets' stomachs. Go slowly , Cruz says. Start by massaging your pet's muzzle for a week. Later, dab the lips with pet toothpaste. Next, introduce your pet to the toothbrush. "Don't put them in a headlock," she says, "but let them chew, let them play with it." Then you can start brushing the teeth, as many as your pet will allow in one sitting. With a cat or small dog , you can forgo the toothbrush. Simply apply toothpaste to a Q-tip, s