Dental Care

Dogs and cats need their teeth brushed daily — just like us! When your pet’s mouth is healthy, their teeth are white and gums are attached smoothly to the tooth. Over time, bacteria and food particles build up and if they aren’t brushed away the plaque mineralizes into tartar. That’s the brown/green discolored gunk you see built up on your pet’s teeth! This tartar can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning. If it’s not removed, it gets in between the tooth and bone of the jaw, causing painful periodontal disease. This also is the source of your pet's bad breath!

What does periodontal disease look like?

Once you’ve had the harmful tartar removed from your pet’s teeth, it’s time to start regular home dental care to maintain those pearly whites! Daily teeth brushing is the best way to do this. The fibers of a toothbrush get in-between teeth and under gums where food and bacteria are. Remember, never use a human toothpaste! Dog and cat toothpastes have enzymes that help break-up plaque, but the actual scrubbing motion is needed to remove it.

OUR SERVICES

Recurring Teeth Brushing with your Dog Walker

Click here to learn more about how you can set up regular teeth brushing with our dog walking department

Half off Dental Kits with Grooming

With any full groom, mini-groom, or bath, receive half off any of our dental kits for cats or dogs.

Free Teeth Brushing Tutorial

Call today to schedule a free teeth brushing tutorial with one of our staff members!

RESOURCES

How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth

Dental Care and What to Expect if your Pet Needs it

Examining your Cat's Teeth

Toothbrushing and Dental Prophylaxis in Cats and Dogs

PRODUCTS WE RECOMMEND

Brushing at Home

Not all teeth brushing tools work well for all pets. To keep the routine positive, it's important that you find the right one for your dog or cat. Below are a few different tools that we recommend (and sell at our shop). Stop in and we'll help you pick out the right ones!

Finger brush - These brushes fit over your finger and have short bristles on the end. For many dogs and cats, this can be significantly less intimidating than approaching them with a brush.

Toothbrush - Since human toothbrushes (even children's brushes) are too hard for your dog or cat's gums, it's important that you find the right brush made specifically for them.

Enzymatic Toothpastes - While toothpaste isn't necessary for brushing your dog or cat's teeth, it can help the process. If using toothpaste, choose one that has enzymes in it specifically formulated to break down biofilm on your pet's teeth. Never use human toothpaste and never use a toothpaste that has sorbitol in it.

Dental Kits - Kits contain all the supplies you need to get started, including a toothbrush, fingerbrush, and toothpaste. Make sure you choose the right size for your pet!

Supportive Chews

If your pet won’t allow a toothbrush near her mouth, dental chews, or raw bones and hard chew toys can help reduce plaque by a substantial amount if used daily. Below are just a few options that we have right here at Bark Bark Club.

Raw bones - Regular chewing promotes healthy teeth and gums. Raw bones are how canines and felines clean their teeth in the wild! They also receive many different nutrients from chewing raw bones (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus) and the meat and marrow attached to the bone.

Whimzees - Dental chews, like Whimzees that we sell at our shop, are hard and shaped with ridges and grooves to help remove tartar build-up on your pet's teeth. They are fully digestible, gluten-free, and vegetarian. These are a good option for pet's with dietary restrictions!

Benebone - These hard chew toys are made of nylon and infused with flavoring to encourage your pet to chew. The ridges and shape help stimulate the gums and remove tartar build-up.

DENTAL CARE