Why Dog and Cat Dental Cleaning Matters

From Plaque Control to Overall Health

 

Pet owners often focus on food, exercise and play—but dental health is just as important to your pet’s overall well-being. Without regular dental care, dogs and cats are prone to plaque buildup, tartar and smelly breath. Oral health has also been shown to impact other areas of the body such as the heart, kidneys, skin and liver.1-10 This guide breaks down why pet dental care matters and offers simple, effective solutions you can use at home.

 

Why Dog Dental Cleaning Matters: From Plaque Control to Overall Health

Looking after your pet’s teeth and mouth is an essential step in their care and even has wider effects to help keep your four-legged friend generally happy and healthy. Oral health conditions are the number oneclinical finding by vets with studies finding up to 90% of dogs show signs of changes in teeth and gums by 1 year old and 70% of cats by 3 years old.11-22 12.5% of dogs and 15.3% of cats are found to have oral health conditions every year with many more likely going unnoticed.23,24 Some of our pets are more likely to have oral health conditions such as smaller dog breeds, cats with high body weight and older pets.14,23,25-27 It is so important to help care for their teeth as studies have shown that poor oral health and dental disorders significantly impact welfare in dogs and cats.23,28,29

 

Neglecting your pet’s dental hygiene can do more than cause bad breath. Plaque hardens into tartar within days, leading to gingivitis and periodontal disease. These bacteria don’t just stay in the mouth—they can enter the bloodstream and affect vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, and liver.

 

Key risks of poor dental care:

  • Tooth loss and pain
  • Gum infections (gingivitis and periodontitis)
  • Bad breath (halitosis)
  • Systemic illness caused by oral bacteria

A healthy mouth isn’t just cosmetic—it’s foundational to your pet’s longevity.

 

 

How to Help Your Pet’s Oral Health

When it comes to maintaining your dog’s dental health, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Here are the most common and effective methods:

  • Professional scale and polish: Done under anesthesia at a veterinary practice, these remove plaque and tartar below the gumline. This also allows for a more thorough examination and can often find issues we cant see easily on the inside of their teeth.
  • Brushing at home: The gold standard for prevention, but can be difficult to implement consistently.
  • Dental powders: Great for daily use and some powders, such as PlaqEase® have clinically proven ingredients.
  • Dental chews: Popular and convenient, though their effectiveness varies widely and a close eye needs to be kept on calories.
  • Water additives: Increasingly used for ease of daily maintenance but have varying effectiveness.
  • Dental diets: Useful if there is no other need for specialised diet or if your pet isn’t too fussy!

A combination approach often works best, depending on your pet’s temperament and need.Talk to a vet so that they can recommend the best approach for your pet.

 

 

Still Struggling with Brushing? Stats That Prove Most Pet Owners Do Too

Daily toothbrushing is the gold standard for maintaining good oral health but it can be very difficult to do in our furry friends with 1 in 4 dog owners experiencing difficulties when examining their dog's teeth- let alone trying to brush them.15,30-34

Even though the majority of owners think their pet’s dental health is important,15 69% of owners have never brushed their dog's teeth and 73% have never brushed their cat’s teeth.35,36

Whilst it is never too late to teach an old dog new tricks, this really highlights the need for early training of pets in toothbrushing but also the need for alternative solutions for pets and owners for whom toothbrushing is not feasible but who still want to support their pets’ oral health.

 

PlaqEase: A Convenient New Option for Dog Dental Care

PlaqEase is a new daily dental supplement that can easily be added to your dog or cat’s food. PlaqEase comes in pots with a scoop so it is super easy to give even to our fussy furry friends.

 

 

Clinically Proven Ingredients for Effective Plaque and Tartar Control

PlaqEase contains the clinically proven ingredients Ascophyllum nodosum and inactivated Lactobacillus plantarum. These have been shown to help reduce plaque and tartar build-up, support healthy gums, reduce bad breath, support a healthy oral microbiome and even contribute to the body’s natural immune responses.27,37-47

 

How PlaqEase Helps Reduce Dog Dental Disease and Bad Breath

In a study, almost 50% of owners reported bad breath in their dogs15: Ascophyllum nodosum – one of the ingredients in PlaqEase - has been demonstrated to significantly help reduce the concentration of volatile sulphur compounds, which are the main cause of oral odour.27

84% of owners saw an improvement in unpleasant breath in their dogs after just 4 weeks of using PlaqEase.48

 

Science-Backed Oral Health: Petbiotix® Postbiotic and Prebiotics Explained

Protexin Veterinary’s Petbiotix are expertly developed pre, pro and postbiotics that support a healthy microbiome. PlaqEase contains both prebiotics and postbiotics.

Prebiotics selectively feed beneficial bacteria, supporting a diverse and healthy microbiome.

Postbiotics are inactivated microorganisms which remain bioactive, providing health benefits.

PlaqEase contains:

·       Inactivated Lactobacillus plantarum (Priome® Oral Care) -a postbiotic that has been shown, among many other benefits, to have a positive effect on the oral microbiome.46,47

·       Citristim -a postbiotic which containsmannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) and beta-glucans, both of which have been shown to support the immune system in dogs.49-60

·       Fibersol-2® – a prebiotic which supports beneficial bacteria.

 

Kelp and Vitamin C: Nature’s Allies in Dog Dental Health

Ascophyllum nodosum is a type of seaweed – brown algae – that supports dental and oral health. It has been shown in many clinical studies to:27,37-45

·       Help reduce plaque and calculus build up

·       Support healthy gums

·       Help reduce bad breath

·       Contribute to the body’s natural immune responses

 

Vitamin C has many roles in the body that help support oral health. It is needed to make collagen, which is important in connective tissue such as gums,61-63 and is also a recognised antioxidant, helping reduce oxidative stress.62-64 It has been shown that low levels of Vitamin C may be associated with poor oral health.62

 

Move Beyond Dog Dental Chews: A Daily Powder That Pets Love

Most owners know that dental chews can be given to try and help oral health – but many are worried about the extra calories they add to their pets diet or they feel that their dog doesn’t even chew them to get the benefit of the scraping (or ‘mechanical’) action.

Giving a daily powder with food is a lower calorie option that has fantastic effects. It can be added onto their normal diet and pets love the taste too – with 87% of dog owners reporting their dogs enjoyed the taste of PlaqEase.48

Look for powders like PlaqEase that are vet-formulated and made with evidence-backed ingredients like kelp, vitamin C, and postbiotics. Used daily, these ingredients can make a noticeable difference in your dog’s breath, gum health, and plaque levels—without the need for a more complex approach.

 

 

Easy Home Routine: Daily Use Instructions for Long-Term Dog Dental Hygiene

PlaqEase is easy to use- just add to your pet’s food every day. You can sprinkle the flavoured powder on top of your pet’s food or mix it in.

PlaqEase works best when used on a long-term basis. Ensure fresh water is available at all times.

PlaqEase is naturally high in iodine so should be used with caution in animals with thyroid conditions.

 

Artificial Chicken Flavouring: Hypoallergenic Support for Sensitive Dogs and Cats

PlaqEase is formulated with artificial chicken flavouring – making it yummy for our furry friends but also ensuring it is safe for use in animals with meat protein allergies.

 

Real Results: 82% of Dog Owners Trust PlaqEase for Dental Health48

 

 

A Brand You Can Rely On: Protexin Veterinary and PlaqEase

For dogs. For cats. At Protexin Veterinary, we are here for every pet to live their best life. With over 30 years of biotics knowledge, dedicated veterinary technical support and a full product range backed by science, research and expertise, you can be sure you’re getting the highest quality products for your pet.

After trying PlaqEase for just 4 weeks, 85% agree that Protexin Veterinary is a brand they can trust.48

 

 

Conclusion: Your Pet's Smile Reflects Their Health

Dental disease is one of the most common - and most preventable - health problems in pets. With consistent care, smart product choices, and vet support, you can safeguard your dog or cat’s oral health for years to come.

Remember: A clean mouth isn’t just about fresh breath - it’s about a longer, healthier life for your furry friend.

 

 

 

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