Just like in humans, tartar in dogs and cats refers to the solid deposits on the animals' teeth. These are caused by food residues and bacteria that develop into plaque. If these remain for a long time, they become hard and eventually form tartar on the teeth of dogs and cats. In dogs and cats, tartar initially appears as yellowish to brown deposits and discolorations. These should always be prevented, because healthy teeth are an important part of the overall health of our carnivorous pets and tartar can also have serious consequences for dogs and cats in the short or long term. For example, gingivitis, bad breath, toothache and problems with chewing can be the result of untreated tartar in dogs and cats.
Preventing tartar in dogs: our tips
Preventing tartar in dogs is effective and, above all, easy with our tips. One of the most obvious is brushing teeth, even if it is more common among owners than among their pets. But there are also a variety of tools for brushing teeth for our beloved four-legged friends: from toothbrush finger cots to electric ultrasonic toothbrushes, there is something for every need. It is important to only use a special dog toothpaste. Apart from these products for mechanical tooth cleaning, there are also dental care products that you can add to food. Anti-plaque powder or sprays are good examples of this.
In addition to this dental cleaning, which is ideally done daily, there is also the option of preventing tartar in dogs with a professional dental cleaning. This is done by a veterinarian. The tartar is first removed from the tooth using an ultrasonic scaler. The teeth are then polished so that their surface is smooth and therefore less susceptible to plaque.
Our four-legged friends can also combine the pleasant with the useful when it comes to dental care - with special chew toys for dogs . These can be made of natural rubber or wood and prevent tartar in a playful way by cleaning teeth, gums and interdental spaces naturally through friction and increased saliva flow.
tartar in cats
Tartar also affects cats. It can be recognized in cats by the same symptoms as in dogs. However, because cats have much smaller teeth than most dogs, if left untreated, tartar can affect the entire tooth and turn it brownish-yellow. Due to the pain this causes, the cat will probably have a reduced appetite or stop eating altogether.
Dental cleaning for dogs and cats – delicious!
For cats, as for dogs, tooth cleaning is a sure way to effectively prevent tartar. The easiest way to do this is to use the right food, because wild wolves and wild cats that feed exclusively on raw meat do not need any special dental care. In fact, the chewing of the prey animal fulfills the function of mechanical tooth cleaning almost automatically. BARF for cats and BARF dog food is already a big step towards dental care for dogs and cats. It is even easier with dog treats and cat treats for in-between meals, which you can find in a large selection in our BARF shop .
