Here at Coquet Vets, we strive to provide the highest standard of oral care and dental treatment for pets. Our Vet team have a genuine interest in this area, and we even offer free of charge dental check-ups. As advocates for preventative health care, we are also happy to provide advice about at home care to maximise your pet’s dental health.

We recently introduced a great selection of products from the Vetschoice range at our practice. This includes some really useful dental products to use between check-ups. Here’s our recommendations and some tips on how you can help to keep your pet’s teeth and gums clean and healthy.

Toothpaste and Brushing

The ideal method of plaque reduction is regular brushing with a good quality toothpaste. Whilst we know it is not always that easy to do, bad breath in a pet is not just unpleasant to smell; it can also be a sign of dental disease. For your pet’s health, it’s worth persevering and finding ways to keep your pet’s teeth clean, rather than do nothing at all.

Dogs and cats typically tolerate finger toothbrushes better than a regular toothbrush, so this is always a good starting point. Brushing of teeth needs to be at least every other day, otherwise it is of minimal benefit. You also need to ensure that you are only using toothpaste that is suitable for pets. Luckily, there is a pet friendly toothpaste that comes in a tasty beef flavour. This means your pet will always look forward to having their teeth brushed!

Brushing your pet's teeth can be hard work, but the benefits are amazing. The younger your animal is, the easier it is to train them. A great tip is to add brushing into their daily routine. For example, always brush their teeth just before their dinner, because then, after having their teeth brushed, they are getting some food. They will then associate getting their teeth brushed with getting a food 'treat'.

There is pet Toothpaste and a Finger Toothbrush available in the Vetschoice range, which you can now get from the Coquet Vets practice. We have also included the Toothpaste and Finger Toothbrush in our Puppy Starter Pack, along with S18 General Purpose Shampoo, Redux Anti-Chew Spray, and a Kong Puppy toy - and the whole pack is just £20.

You can also get some handy tips in our step-by-step guide on brushing your pet’s teeth. However, if you are really finding it a struggle to do the toothpaste and brushing option, we would recommend trying the Vetschoice Gum Wipes and a water additive product called Plaqaid®.

Vetschoice Gum Wipes

Gum Wipes are a quick and easy way to keep on top of your pet’s dental hygiene. This product is ideal for cats, as we know that trying to brush a cat's teeth is also not easy to do! Older dogs who have not had their teeth brushed very often will also benefit from gum wipes, as they don't take as much time and you don't need to train them. You simply wipe down every tooth, once daily.

Vetschoice Plaqaid®

Plaqaid® is also useful for all animals, but especially cats. It is the easiest way to help control the bacterial population in your pet's mouth. By adding this to your pet's fresh water every day, you can help reduce the bacteria in the salvia and on the teeth or gums.

Even with at home care, it is always advised to do regular dental check-ups, so please remember that we offer this free of charge for your pets. We are also always on hand to advise on the Vetschoice products and answer any questions or concerns you might have in the area of dental.

If this article has raised any questions or concerns, contact us on 01665 252 250 or email us at info@coquetvets.co.uk.