Welcoming a new puppy or kitten into your home is an exciting time filled with cuddles, playtime, and lots of love. As part of giving your new furry family member the best start in life, it’s important to include dental care in their routine right from the beginning.
At Chatswood Vet Clinic, your puppy or kitten’s first wellness check with us includes a thorough oral health assessment.
Our experienced Vets will check your pet’s mouth, teeth, and gums to ensure everything is developing normally and give you advice on setting up a lifelong dental care routine. This involves:
- Examine the teeth, gums, and mouth to ensure everything is developing normally
- Check for any misalignment or early signs of disease
- Discuss the best toothbrushes, toothpastes, and products
- Show you brushing techniques if you need a hand getting started!
Fun Fact:
Puppies have 28 baby teeth, which start to fall out between 4–6 months of age.
Kittens have 26 baby teeth, and their adult teeth come through by around 6 months.
Good dental habits start early — and they can help prevent serious problems later in life! We’ll also help you plan the timing for any dental treatments if needed later — starting young helps make vet visits easy and stress-free for life!
Why Dental Care Matters for Puppies and Kittens
Just like in humans, dental disease in pets can start early and sometimes, sadly pets are born with a genetic predisposition towards poor gum and dental health. Without the right care, plaque and bacteria build up on your pet’s teeth, leading to:
- Painful gingivitis (inflamed gums)
- Bad breath
- Tooth loss
- Serious infections affecting vital organs
Starting dental care early makes brushing a normal part of life for your pet and helps them keep their teeth healthy into adulthood and beyond.
How to Start a Dental Routine for Your New Puppy or Kitten
Step 1: Begin Gently and Early
Start handling your puppy or kitten’s mouth as soon as they are settled into your home.
Get them used to the idea that having their mouth touched is a positive experience!
Tip:
- Choose a time when your pet is calm (after a meal or play session).
- Gently lift their lips and touch their teeth and gums with your finger.
- Praise them with soothing words and offer a treat afterward.
Step 2: Introduce a Pet Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Once your puppy or kitten is comfortable having their mouth touched, it’s time to introduce a toothbrush and pet-safe toothpaste.
Use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush designed for pets or a finger brush.
Only use pet-specific toothpaste (never human toothpaste, it can be toxic to pets).
Tip:
- Let your pet sniff and lick the toothbrush with a little toothpaste on it first.
- Reward them for any positive interaction, you want the toothbrush to be a “good thing”!
Step 3: Start Brushing Slowly
Once your pet is comfortable with the toothbrush and toothpaste, you can start brushing.
Instructions:
- Gently lift their lip to expose the teeth.
- Using a small, circular motion, brush just a few teeth at a time, particularly focusing on the outer surfaces where plaque builds up most.
- Gradually increase the number of teeth brushed each session as your pet gets used to it.
- Keep sessions short (30 seconds to 1 minute at first) and always end on a positive note with a treat or playtime.
Step 4: Make It Routine
Brushing your puppy or kitten’s teeth DAILY is ideal.
Consistency is key: it’s much easier to brush a little every day than deal with dental disease down the line.
- Try to brush at the same time each day, after dinner or before bed is often a good time.
- Pair brushing with a reward like a treat or a cuddle session so your pet associates it with good things.
Extra Tips for Success
- Start with patience and go at your pet’s pace, some puppies and kittens take a few weeks to feel comfortable.
- Use lots of positive reinforcement, treats, pats, praise, or a fun game after brushing.
- Don’t force it, if your pet struggles too much one day, stop and try again later.
Remember: the goal is to build trust, not to get a “perfect” brushing every time at the beginning.
Understanding Teething in Puppies & Kittens
Puppies typically start teething around 3-4 months of age, and their baby teeth begin to fall out by 5-6 months.
Kittens begin teething around 3 weeks of age, and by 4-6 months, their baby teeth should be fully replaced by adult teeth.
How to Help Pets Through Teething
- Chew Toys: Providing safe, durable chew toys helps alleviate discomfort from teething. Rubber or silicone toys are great options.
- Cold Items: Chilled teething toys or even ice cubes can provide relief, especially for puppies.
- Teething Rings: For puppies, teething rings that are designed for teething can help soothe the gums.
- Tenderness and Care: Ensure your pet isn’t chewing on inappropriate items, like furniture or shoes. Positive reinforcement can help guide them.
Importance of Losing Baby Teeth by 6 Months
- Complete Set of Adult Teeth: By 6 months, puppies and kittens should ideally have lost all their baby teeth to make room for adult teeth. This process is crucial for their long-term dental health.
- Healthy Development: Losing all baby teeth ensures that adult teeth come in straight and correctly aligned, which is important for proper chewing and avoiding dental issues.
Problems if Baby Teeth Don’t Fall Out
- Retained Baby Teeth: Sometimes, baby teeth don’t fall out as they should. When this happens, adult teeth may grow in incorrectly or become crowded.
- Misalignment: Retained baby teeth can lead to dental misalignment, causing difficulty in eating or chewing, and can result in problems with the gums and overall oral health.
- Infections: If the retained teeth are left unchecked, they can lead to gum inflammation or infections, as they are not meant to remain in the mouth.
If you notice that your pet’s baby teeth haven’t fallen out by 6 months (or sooner, depending on the breed), it’s important to visit us at Chatswood Vet Clinic. Our Vets may recommend extracting the retained teeth to allow the adult teeth to come through properly.
Final Thoughts: Healthy Smiles Start Young
Good dental care is one of the best gifts you can give your puppy or kitten.
By building a positive brushing routine early, you’re helping protect them from pain, disease, and expensive treatments later on.
Book a FREE Dental Check Up with the friendly team at Chatswood Vet Clinic today on our website or give us a call on (02) 9411 6547 we’re here to help you and your pet every step of the way!
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