Canine Dental Home Care
EVIDENCE-BASED CANINE DENTAL HOME CARE
The goal of home care is to maximize the time between your pet’s professional teeth cleanings and to prevent the health risks and pain associated with dental disease.
PERIODONTAL VACCINE
This vaccine helps prevent periodontitis in dogs by reducing the destruction of bone around the teeth (which is the major cause of periodontitis and tooth loss especially in dogs less than 25lbs). Your pet will receive two doses that are given three to three weeks apart. Additional booster vaccinations will be needed yearly.
DENTAL DIETS PROVEN TO REDUCE PLAQUE AND TARTAR (at least 20% better than average food)
• Hill’s Prescription Diet® Canine t/d (Original Bites and Small Bites) * Prevent both plaque & tartar up to 58%
This kibble is designed with a proprietary fiber matrix technology to reduce plaque and tartar by mechanical means. It is also formulated with reduced amounts of certain nutrients that can contribute to plaque and tartar buildup. Please visit www.hillspet.com/index.jsp for more information.
• Purina Veterinary Diets® DH Dental Health™ brand Canine Formula (Original Bites and Small Bites) *
• Science Diet® Oral Care * Prevents both plaque & tartar up to 36%
DENTAL DIETS THAT HAVE TARTAR ONLY CLAIM (at least 20% better at preventing dental tartar only) *
• Some Iams® OTC Foods
BRUSHING/RINSING
• CET® Toothpaste:
Flavored paste with an enzyme to kill bacteria and also increase your pet’s acceptance of brushing. Used in daily brushing, these toothpastes will help prevent plaque and tartar buildup.
• CET® Oral Hygiene Rinse:
This is an oral rinse that contains antibacterial agents in an anti-plaque formula.
- Chlorhexidene containing pastes & gels
BARRIER SEALANT
• OraVet®:
A waxy product that adheres to the external surface of the teeth. Applied once to twice weekly, it is 24 – 47% effective in preventing plaque and tartar buildup. Please visit us.merial.com/index.asp for more information.
WATER ADDITIVE
Healthymouth Add to pets water supply to prevent plaque naturally
First water product to get VOHC seal
Aquadent (r) water additive that can help prevent plaque and tartar accumulation. Used daily it has a study that claims 58% tartar reduction.
TREATS (at least 10% better than average treat)
• CET Hextra Chews ®:
Contains enzymes to prevent plaque formulation and bacterial growth.
• Tartar Shield® Soft Rawhide Chews*
• Greenies® *
• Purina Veterinary Diets® Dental Chewz
All products listed have evidence to support their use. Products shown with an * are approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) and have proven efficacy in the reduction of plaque and/or tartar. Please visit the VOHC website for a complete list of approved products at
