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Brush Your Cat's Teeth in
5 "Easy" Steps
Brushing
your cat's teeth should not be a chore for you or your cat. Instead, it should be an
enjoyable time for both of you. If you take things slowly at the beginning and give lots
of praise, you and your cat will start looking forward to your brushing sessions.
Number one, this should be fun for you and your cat. Be upbeat and take things slowly. Do
not overly restrain your cat. Keep sessions short and positive. Be sure to praise your cat
throughout the process. Give yourself a pat on the back, too! You are doing a great thing
for your cat!
First, have your cat get used to you putting things in her mouth. Dip your finger in tuna
water, chicken broth, or other liquid your cat may like. Call your cat with a voice that
means "treat" and let your cat lick the liquid off your finger. Then rub your
soaked finger gently over your cat's gums and teeth. After a few sessions, your cat should
actually look forward to this and you can move on.
Now, place a gauze around your finger. (You can again dip it in the tuna water or other
liquid.) Gently rub the teeth in a circular motion with your gauzed finger. Repeat this
for the number of sessions it takes your cat to feel comfortable with this procedure.
Remember to praise her and keep an upbeat attitude.
After your cat is used to having the flavored gauze in her mouth, you are ready to start
with a toothbrush, dental sponge, or pad. We need to get your cat used to the consistency
of these items, especially the bristles on a brush. So, let your cat lick something tasty
off of the brush or pad so she gets used to the texture.
Once your cat is used to the cleaning item you are going to use, you can add the
toothpaste (or rinse). Pet toothpastes either have a poultry, malt, or other flavor so
your cat will like the taste. Get your cat used to the flavor and consistency of the
toothpaste. Let your cat lick some off your finger and then apply some to your cat's
gumline with your finger. Praise your pet.
Now your cat is used to the toothbrush and toothpaste and you are ready to start brushing.
Talk to your cat in a happy voice during the process and praise your cat at the end. At
first, you may just want to brush one or both upper canine teeth (the large ones in the
front of the mouth). These are the easiest teeth for you to get at and will give you some
easier practice. As before, when your cat accepts having several teeth brushed, slowly
increase the number of teeth you are brushing. Again, by making it appear to be a game,
you both will have fun doing.
Calming Products
Excerpted from Pet Product News, May 2012
Calming
products for pets are being used for everything from introducing a new pet into the
household to traveling, trips to the vet or reducing separation anxiety. Central Garden and Pet in Walnut Creek, CA offers
two species-specific calming aids, one for cats called Comfort Zone with Feliway and one
for dogs called Comfort Zone with D.A.P. HomeoPet
LLC in Westhampton Beach, NY markets Anxiety products which are homeopathic and which
specifically target fear in pets. Nelsons in North
Andover, MA markets Rescue Remedy Pet which was originally a human product. Also on the market for dogs who suffer
from anxiety during thunderstorms, fireworks, separation and travel is Thundershirt
(trademark) which applies a constant, gentle pressure that produces a dramatic calming
effect in excited dogs. The ‘shirt’
wraps around the dog’s midsection and secures with adjustable Velcro fasteners. These products are alternatives for owners who
have been unsuccessful in managing their pets’ anxieties using other techniques.
Embrace Pet Insurance Launches Poison Resource
Center
Excerpted from Pet Health News, May 2012
Embrace Pet
Insurance of Beachwood, Ohio, has launched a pet poison resource center on its website http://www.embracepetinsurance.com. The center is in response to the many claims
relating to pet poisoning that Embrace receives each year.
The website offers suggestions on ways pet owners can prevent poisonings and
identify symptoms of poisoning as well as what they should do if they suspect their pet
has been poisoned. The site breaks down
poisonous substances into nine categories: human food, household chemicals, human
medication, pet medication, animal toxins, common poisonous plants, outdoors, malicious
poisoning and other.
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