Keep the tails wagging and the cats purring.

Optimal oral health for your pets starts at home. 

Home Care for Oral Health

A healthy mouth starts at home! Our team is here to help you create an oral care routine that fits both you and your pet.

Daily tooth brushing is the gold standard for preventing dental disease, and we’re happy to teach you how to safely and comfortably brush your pet’s teeth. If brushing isn’t an option, we’ll help you choose other effective products to support your pet’s oral health.

With so many dental chews, toys, diets, and oral care products available, it can be difficult to know what’s best. Our doctors and technicians can recommend safe, effective options tailored to your pet’s needs.

One important tip: Avoid hard chews such as bones, antlers, hooves, and hard nylon toys. While they may seem beneficial, they are one of the most common causes of fractured teeth in dogs.

Brushing Your Pet's Teeth

Brushing your pet’s teeth is the single most effective thing you can do to maintain their oral health between professional dental cleanings.

The ideal time to introduce tooth brushing is when your puppy or kitten is 8–12 weeks old, but it’s never too late to start. With patience and positive reinforcement, most pets can learn to enjoy the routine.

The key is to make each session short, positive, and rewarding. Move at your pet’s pace, and don’t worry if it takes more than a week to build their confidence.

What You’ll Need:

  • Finger toothbrush or soft pet toothbrush
  • CET® Enzymatic Pet Toothpaste (never use human toothpaste)
  • Plenty of praise and treats!

If your pet seems resistant at any point, simply stop and try again the next day. Our technicians are always happy to provide tips and demonstrate brushing techniques during your visit.

A 7-Day Guide to Brushing Your Pet's Teeth

Day 1: Get Comfortable. Gently pet and scratch around your pet’s muzzle while lifting the lips for about 30 seconds. Reward with praise and a favorite treat—or let them lick a small amount of toothpaste from your finger.

Day 2: Touch the Teeth. Repeat Day 1, then gently rub your finger along the outside of the teeth for 30–45 seconds. Reward and praise.

Day 3: Build Confidence. Repeat Day 2, increasing the time by about 15 seconds. Keep the experience relaxed and positive.

Day 4: Introduce the Finger Brush. Place your finger inside the finger brush and gently brush the outside surfaces of the teeth for about 30 seconds.

Day 5: Increase Brushing Time. Continue using the finger brush, gradually increasing the brushing time by another 30 seconds.

Day 6: Add Toothpaste. Apply a small amount of CET® Enzymatic Toothpaste to the finger brush and gently brush the teeth.

Day 7: Establish the Routine. If your pet is comfortable, gradually increase brushing until you’re spending about one minute on each side of the mouth.

Congratulations! You've started one of the best habits for your pet's lifelong oral health.

Dental Chews & Treats

Dental chews are an easy way to help reduce plaque while giving your pet a tasty reward.

We recommend:

  • OraVet® Dental Hygiene Chews – Help mechanically remove plaque while creating a protective barrier against plaque-forming bacteria.
  • Tartar Shield® Rawhide Chews – Soft, compressed rawhide chews formulated to help reduce plaque accumulation.
  • VeggieDent® FR3SH™ Chews – A low-calorie, vegetarian chew that’s ideal for pets with food sensitivities and safe for daily use.

These products are available at our hospitals or through our online pharmacy with convenient home delivery.

Oral Rinses & Gels

For pets that won’t tolerate tooth brushing, oral rinses and gels can provide additional plaque and bacteria control.

Products we commonly recommend include:

  • OraVet® Barrier Sealant Gel – Applied weekly after the initial professional application to help create a barrier against plaque accumulation.
  • Clenz-a-Dent® Oral Rinse – A chlorhexidine-based antimicrobial rinse.
  • Maxi/Guard® Oral Cleansing Gel – A natural antibacterial gel containing zinc and vitamin C.
  • HealthyMouth® Water Additive – An all-natural water additive designed to help reduce plaque, tartar, and gingivitis.

These products are simple to use and can be an excellent addition to your pet’s oral care routine.

Safe Chew Toys

Chewing naturally helps massage the gums and reduce plaque—but choosing the right toy is essential.

We recommend flexible rubber toys such as:

  • Kong®
  • West Paw® Zogoflex®
  • Goughnuts®

For added enrichment, try placing CET® Enzymatic Toothpaste inside a Kong toy.

Avoid very hard chews such as antlers, hooves, bones, rocks, and hard nylon toys, which are common causes of fractured teeth.

A good rule of thumb: If you can’t make an indentation with your fingernail, the toy is likely too hard for your pet’s teeth.

Always supervise your pet while chewing.

Dental Diets

Some pets are more prone to dental disease than others. For these patients, a dental diet can be an effective way to help reduce plaque and tartar buildup.

We recommend Hill’s® Prescription Diet t/d® for both dogs and cats. Its unique fiber matrix and kibble design gently clean the tooth surface during chewing, helping reduce plaque and calculus while supporting long-term oral health.

Many pets enjoy it as either their primary diet or a daily treat.

Look for the VOHC Seal

When choosing dental products, look for the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance.

The VOHC evaluates products for their ability to reduce plaque and/or tartar, helping pet owners identify products that have been scientifically tested for effectiveness.

If you’re unsure which products are best for your pet, our team is happy to help you develop a home care plan tailored to your pet’s individual needs.

Recommended Products

OraVet® Chews
VeggieDent® Chews
Tartar Shield® Chews
HealthyMouth® Water Additive
Maxi/Guard® Gel
Clenz-a-Dent® Rinse
CET® Toothpaste
Hill’s® t/d®

Here when you need us.

If you need help in any of these areas, please let us know. We’ll be happy to assist.

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