• Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss and affects most dogs before they are 3 years old. Bacteria from periodontal disease can spread to affect other organs and cause illness.
• Before you start brushing your dog’s teeth, have them checked by your veterinarian.
• Make toothbrushing enjoyable for your dog by rewarding him or her immediately after each session.
• Be very patient when teaching your dog to accept toothbrushing.
• If your dog won’t tolerate toothbrushing, your veterinarian can recommend plaque-preventive products for your dog.

Periodontal Disease—Why Brush?
Periodontal (gum) disease can lead to tooth loss and affects most dogs before they are 3 years old. Bacteria from periodontal disease can spread to affect other organs and cause illness. One of the best ways to help prevent periodontal disease is to brush your dog’s teeth on a regular basis—daily, if he or she will allow it.

Dogs are never too young to start having their teeth brushed at home; in fact, the younger they are, the better.

Before you start brushing your dog’s teeth, have them checked by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may recommend a dental cleaning to remove any existing plaque and tartar, which contribute to periodontal disease. If your dog has severe dental disease, extraction of the affected teeth may be recommended. Follow your veterinarian’s recommendation on how long to wait after dental cleaning or extraction before brushing your dog’s teeth.

What You Need

• Baby toothbrush or pet toothbrush that is an appropriate size for your dog; if your dog won’t tolerate a toothbrush, a small piece of washcloth can be used
• Pet toothpaste
• Treat or other reward your dog really likes

Note: Do not use toothpaste for people or baking soda because these can upset your dog’s stomach. Pet toothpaste comes in different flavors (e.g., poultry, beef). You may need to try a couple flavors to find the one your dog likes the best. The more your dog likes the toothpaste, the easier it will be to train him or her to accept brushing.

Technique

• Toothbrushing should be a bonding experience that is constantly reinforced with praise and rewards. Be very patient—teaching your dog to accept toothbrushing may take weeks. Make toothbrushing enjoyable for your dog by rewarding him or her immediately after each session.
• You only need to brush the outside of your dog’s teeth—the side facing the cheek. Only do as much at a time as your dog allows. You may not be able to do the whole mouth at first.
• If you are ever worried about being bitten, stop. Ask your veterinarian about how best to care for your dog’s teeth.
• Start by letting your dog get used to the toothbrush and toothpaste. Put them out and let your dog sniff them. You can let your dog taste the toothpaste to see if he or she likes it.
• Also, get your dog used to you touching his or her mouth. Lift his or her lips, and slowly and gently rub your dog’s teeth and gums with your finger. When your dog is comfortable with you touching his or her mouth and is familiar with the toothbrush and toothpaste, gradually switch to putting the toothpaste on your finger, and then to putting the toothpaste on the toothbrush. Let your dog lick the paste off the brush at first to get used to having the brush in his or her mouth. If your dog won’t tolerate a toothbrush, a small piece of washcloth can be used. Place a small amount of toothpaste on the washcloth, and rub it over the outside surfaces of your dog’s teeth.
• Brush your dog’s teeth along the gum line. Work quickly—you don’t need to scrub. Work up to 30 seconds of brushing for each side of the mouth at least every other day.
• If you notice any problems as you brush, like red or bleeding gums or bad breath, call your veterinarian. The earlier problems are found, the easier they are to treat.

Other Ways to Control Plaque
Although there’s no substitute for regular toothbrushing, some dogs just won’t allow it. If you can’t brush your dog’s teeth, ask your veterinarian about plaque-preventive products. Feeding dry food may also help keep your dog’s teeth and gums in good condition. The Seal of Acceptance from the Veterinary Oral Health Council appears on products that meet defined standards for plaque and tartar control in dogs and cats.

Signs of Dental Problems

• Bad breath
• Sensitivity around the mouth
• Loss of appetite and/or weight
• Yellow or brown deposits on the teeth
• Bleeding, inflamed, and withdrawn gums
• Loose or missing teeth
• Pawing at the mouth or face
• Difficulty chewing

• Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss and affects most cats before they are 3 years old. Bacteria from periodontal disease can spread to affect other organs and cause illness.
• Before you start brushing your cat’s teeth, have them checked by your veterinarian.
• Make toothbrushing enjoyable for your cat by rewarding him or her immediately after each session.
• Be very patient when teaching your cat to accept toothbrushing.
• If your cat won’t tolerate toothbrushing, your veterinarian can recommend plaque-preventive products for your cat.

Periodontal Disease—Why Brush?
Periodontal (gum) disease can lead to tooth loss and affects most cats before they are 3 years old. Bacteria from periodontal disease can spread to affect other organs and cause illness. One of the best ways to help prevent periodontal disease is to brush your cat’s teeth on a regular basis—daily, if he or she will allow it. Cats are never too young to start having their teeth brushed at home; in fact, the younger they are, the better.

Before you start brushing your cat’s teeth, have them checked by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may recommend a dental cleaning to remove any existing plaque and tartar, which contribute to periodontal disease. If your cat has severe dental disease, extraction of the affected teeth may be recommended. Follow your veterinarian’s recommendation on how long to wait after dental cleaning or extraction before brushing your cat’s teeth.

What You Need

• Baby toothbrush or pet toothbrush that is an appropriate size for your cat; if your cat won’t tolerate a toothbrush, a small piece of washcloth can be used
• Pet toothpaste
• Treat or other reward your cat really likes

Note: Do not use toothpaste for people or baking soda because these can upset your cat’s stomach. Cat toothpaste comes in different flavors (e.g., poultry, beef). You may need to try a couple flavors to find the one your cat likes the best. The more your cat likes the toothpaste, the easier it will be to train him or her to accept brushing.

Technique

• Toothbrushing should be a bonding experience that is constantly reinforced with praise and rewards. Be very patient—teaching your cat to accept toothbrushing may take weeks. Make toothbrushing enjoyable for your cat by rewarding him or her immediately after each session.
• You only need to brush the outside of your cat’s teeth—the side facing the cheek. Only do as much at a time as your cat allows. You may not be able to do the whole mouth at first.
• If you are ever worried about being bitten, stop. Ask your veterinarian about how best to care for your cat’s teeth.
• Start by letting your cat get used to the toothbrush and toothpaste. Put them out and let your cat sniff them. You can let your cat taste the toothpaste to see if he or she likes it.
• Also, get your cat used to you touching his or her mouth. Lift his or her lips, and slowly and gently rub your cat’s teeth and gums with your finger. You might want to dip your finger in something your cat finds tasty, like juice from a can of tuna.
• When your cat is comfortable with you touching his or her mouth and is familiar with the toothbrush and toothpaste, gradually switch to putting the toothpaste on your finger, and then to putting the toothpaste on the toothbrush. Let your cat lick the paste off the brush at first to get used to having the brush in his or her mouth. If your cat won’t tolerate a toothbrush, a small piece of washcloth can be used. Place a small amount of toothpaste on the washcloth, and rub it over the outside surfaces of your cat’s teeth.
• Brush your cat’s teeth along the gum line. Work quickly—you don’t need to scrub. Work up to 30 seconds of brushing for each side of the mouth at least every other day.
• If you notice any problems as you brush, like red or bleeding gums or bad breath, call your veterinarian. The earlier problems are found, the easier they are to treat.

Other Ways to Control Plaque
Although there’s no substitute for regular toothbrushing, some cats just won’t allow it. If you can’t brush your cat’s teeth, ask your veterinarian about plaque-preventive products. Feeding dry food may also help keep your cat’s teeth and gums in good condition. The Seal of Acceptance from the Veterinary Oral Health Council appears on products that meet defined standards for plaque and tartar control in dogs and cats.

Signs of Dental Problems

• Bad breath
• Sensitivity around the mouth
• Loss of appetite and/or weight
• Yellow or brown deposits on the teeth
• Bleeding, inflamed, and withdrawn gums
• Loose or missing teeth
• Pawing at the mouth or face
• Difficulty chewing

• Regular bathing can help keep your dog’s skin and hair/coat healthy.
• Medicated shampoo may be prescribed by your veterinarian.
• Try to make bathing a pleasant experience for your dog.

Good Reasons to Bathe Your Dog
Regular bathing can help keep your dog’s skin and hair/coat healthy, and if you can teach your dog to enjoy being bathed, it can be another way to strengthen your relationship with your dog. The ASPCA recommends bathing your dog about every 3 months; however, certain breeds and dogs that spend a lot of time outside may need to be bathed more often. Some medical conditions may benefit from medicated shampoo products that your veterinarian can prescribe or recommend.

Preparing for a Bath
Mats and tangles are easier to remove by brushing before bathing. Try to make bathing a pleasant experience for your dog:  use warm water and a mild shampoo made for dogs or a veterinarian-prescribed medicated shampoo; provide toys, treats, and calm praise as rewards for good behavior. You can bathe your dog indoors in a tub or outdoors. If necessary, place a rubber bath mat under your dog to keep him or her from slipping. Wear old clothes, and have plenty of large, absorbent towels and/or a blow dryer on hand. You’ll also need a spray hose or a large plastic pitcher or unbreakable cup.

The Bath

1. Use a spray hose to thoroughly wet your dog, being careful not to spray directly in his or her eyes, ears, or nose. If you don’t have a spray hose, use a large plastic pitcher or unbreakable cup.
2. Gently massage the shampoo into your dog’s hair/coat from head to tail. Follow your veterinarian’s instructions.
3. Thoroughly rinse your dog with a spray hose, pitcher, or cup, taking care to avoid the ears, eyes, and nose.
4. Dry your dog with large towels or a blow dryer. If you use a blow dryer, you may need to slowly introduce your dog to the sound of the dryer. Also, make sure that the blow dryer doesn’t get too hot for your dog. Your veterinarian can answer any questions you may have.
5. Give your dog a toy, treat, and/or calm praise as a reward for good behavior.

Caution!
 If you use a blow dryer to dry your dog, make sure the dryer does not get too hot.

Reasons to Bathe Your Cat
Cats, by nature, are very good groomers. They have pointy structures on the surface of their tongues, called papillae, which are designed to be an essential grooming tool. While they do a good job on their own, there are situations when your cat may need a bath:

• If your cat comes in contact with a potentially hazardous substance or sticky material
• If you are allergic and want to keep pet dander to a minimum
• If you cat goes/or gets outside and comes in contact with dirt or fleas

Preparing For A Bath
Even the calmest of cats may become stressed around water. Preparation prior to bath time will assist you in creating a low stress environment for the bathing process. Make sure you have shampoo labeled for feline use and appropriate age, a washcloth for wiping your cat’s face/head, and a soft towel to dry your cat after bathing. Also, wear appropriate clothing to shield your arms from scratching/biting.
It may be beneficial to have another person assist you in restraining your cat during the bath. If you are comfortable doing so, you can trim your cat’s nails the night before bathing to minimize the chance of scratches. If you have a long-haired cat, a good brushing prior to bath time will reduce the amount of  loose/matted fur.

The Bath

1. We recommend using a bathtub or sink with a spray nozzle to assist in wetting and rinsing your cat. If you don’t have this, you can use a regular sink or tub by filling it with 3 to 5 inches of lukewarm water. Test the water to make sure it is not too hot or too cold for your cat.
2. If you are using a spray nozzle, wet down your cat’s entire body with warm water. Try to avoid getting water in the eyes, ears, and nose. If you are using a sink or tub without a spray nozzle, gently place your cat into the tub and use your hand or a washcloth to wet down the fur.
3. Carefully massage the shampoo into the fur, paying close attention to the labeled directions regarding the amount of product and length of time needed to effectively clean your cat. Don’t forget to lather those hard-to-reach areas, such as under the armpits. Avoid getting any shampoo in your pet’s eyes, ears, nose, or mouth. Use the washcloth to wipe the face/head with water.
4. Use the spray nozzle to rinse your cat thoroughly. If you are not using a spray nozzle, use the water in the tub to rinse the cat. Drain and refill the sink or tub a few times to make sure you have removed all of the shampoo from the fur.
5. Check the cat thoroughly for any areas that have not been well rinsed. Long-haired cats can take longer to rinse. Also, don’t forget to check the feet, under the chin, under the abdomen and chest, and any other areas that can be hard to rinse. Shampoo residues left on the skin and fur can be irritating; the cat may also lick them off later, which can cause illness.
6. When rinsing is complete, towel dry your cat. Since your cat will still be damp, be sure to keep your cat in a well-controlled climate until completely dry. You may also try to use a hairdryer, on a low setting, to assist in drying if your cat will tolerate it.

Caution!
 If you use a blow dryer to dry your cat, make sure the dryer does not get too hot.