Dental Hygiene Month
Celebrated every October, Dental Hygiene Month reminds us of the importance of regular dental care, to prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health issues. For pet parents, it’s a great opportunity to focus on your dog or cat’s dental health by establishing or reinforcing good dental habits like daily brushing and using dental chews. For some, this may even include oral vet check-ups, to ensure that everything is ok regarding your pet’s oral health. Dental Hygiene Month promotes awareness, education, and action to help improve the oral health of everyone—both you and your four-legged fur baby.
Why is your Pet’s Dental Hygiene Important?
Pet dental care is essential for maintaining their overall health and well-being. Just like humans, dogs can suffer from plaque build-up, gum disease, and tooth decay if their teeth aren’t properly cared for. In fact, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of dental disease by the age of three! Poor dental hygiene can lead to painful infections, tooth loss, and difficulty eating. Beyond the mouth, bacteria from dental disease can enter the bloodstream and potentially cause serious issues affecting the heart, liver, and kidneys. Regular brushing and use of dental care products can help prevent these problems occurring. Let’s have a look and see how we can help!
Do Bugalugs Have Anything to Help?
Yes, of course we do! At Bugalugs we strive to be the very best we can be and that means offering our customers more than one option when it comes to looking after their pet’s dental health. We know not every pet is the same, and looking after your pet's teeth can sometimes feel like a bit of a chore - both for you, and your pet! It shouldn’t be this way, it can be a simpler, easier process for everyone involved, you just need to find the right fit for you! Let’s talk through some options!
My Pet Doesn’t like Getting their Teeth Cleaned.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
Many pets hate getting their teeth cleaned and will not allow their owners to touch their teeth. As pet owners ourselves, we know this, we feel your pain. Luckily, we have developed a ‘No Brushing Needed’ range of dental care products that will take care of your pet’s teeth without you needing to brush them. Does it sound to good to be true?
We promise it’s all true, check out our No Brush Range here and see for yourself. Our best-sellers from this range are the Plaque Remover and the Dental Solution. These guys are our best-sellers, week in, week out and it’s not surprising why. The Plaque Remover is 100% natural and naturally abrasive, meaning it can break down plaque and tartar whilst your dog chews. All you need to do is sprinkle it on top of your pet’s food daily by following the feeding guide on the back of the pot. The Dental Care Solution is another great ‘no brush’ product, you add the solution to your pet’s water daily and the solution helps to break down plaque and tartar whilst also freshening up the breath. We also have our spearmint scented Dental Foam, Wipes and Spray, as well as our Clean Teeth Gel that do not require traditional brushing. We’d also recommend a daily Dental Stick to help keep the teeth in good shape and your dog in a good mood! Our Dental Sticks are chicken flavoured and are suitable for dogs over 6 months. They are 100% natural and vet approved to help break down plaque and tartar and keep the teeth in good condition. If your pet cannot have Dental Sticks or any ingredients contained in them, you could try a peeled carrot in place of the Dental Stick.
What Toothbrush is Best for my Pet?
Every pet is different and so are their teeth. One toothbrush is not going to suit every pet and that’s why we have developed a range of toothbrushes for pet parents to choose from. The Triple Ended Toothbrush is better for pets with larger teeth, it wraps around the tooth and cleans the front, back and top of the tooth simultaneously with its 3 brush heads. The Finger Brush is better for dogs who do not mind you touching their teeth but do not tolerate toothbrushes well. The Finger Brush offers an intimate clean and allows the pet owner to feel around the mouth and ensure that all the teeth are being cleaned. The 360-degree bristle design ensures that all the nooks and crannies of the teeth are being reached and that plaque and tartar is being removed. The Double-Ended Toothbrush is a good allrounder and has a larger brush on one end, better for larger teeth, and a small brush on the other end, good for smaller teeth or hard-to-reach areas. We have two types of toothpastes to pair with the toothbrushes, including our minty fresh Toothpaste Gel and our Enzymatic Toothpaste. To find out more on these, check out our blog here.
When Should I See a Vet?
Sometimes teeth are beyond saving. If your pet is experiencing pain, is refusing to eat, has a bad smelling breath, and swollen, red or bleeding gums it might be time to see your vet. The most common cause of dental issues begins with a build-up of plaque and tartar deposits, if left untreated this build-up can cause oral diseases and lead to painful infections inside the mouth. The easiest way to prevent costly vet visits and painful infections is to look after your pet’s oral hygiene from a young age. Most dogs and cats experience oral disease by the age of three so it’s important to start young, not only to prevent infection, but also so that they become accustomed to it – making your job easier as they get older.
Keep on top of your pet's dental hygiene this month and every month with our extensive dental range. You'll find something for every pet, even the fussy fur babies. Check out the dental range now, and find your perfect dental products.
