Pet Dental & Breath Freshening Spray

Most dogs have some degree of gum disease by middle age, and most owners have given up on brushing long before then because the daily wrestling match is not worth the trouble. A spray is not as good as a brush, and nobody sensible claims otherwise. It is, however, something you will actually do, and a modest routine kept up every day beats the perfect one you abandoned in the second week.

Application is straight into the mouth and takes a couple of seconds, needing no more cooperation than handing over a treat. The formula works on the film of bacteria that coats the teeth between cleanings, and the effect on breath builds with repeated use rather than arriving the same evening. Dental products promising an overnight transformation are usually promising something the chemistry cannot deliver. A 100ml bottle covers a long stretch of daily use.

• 100ml bottle
• Sprays directly into the mouth, no brushing needed
• Suitable for both dogs and cats
• Helps clean teeth and freshen breath with regular use
• Quick enough to keep up as a daily habit

Where a spray stops. Nothing you spray, add to the water bowl or squeeze onto a chew will remove tartar that has already hardened onto the tooth. That needs a scale and polish under anaesthetic. If your pet has visibly brown teeth, red gum lines or is dropping food, book the vet first and use this to hold the line afterwards. Stop use if the mouth looks sore.

Who it's for: Owners of dogs or cats who will not tolerate a toothbrush and want a daily habit that is realistic to keep up.