Dental Care for Pets

Some people may think it is silly to brush their dog or cat’s teeth. However, just like humans, pets can get periodontal disease. In fact, by the time your pet is 3 years old, he or she will very likely have some early evidence of periodontal disease. By the age of two, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some form of periodontal disease. Early detection and treatment are critical, because advanced periodontal disease can cause severe problems and pain for your pet.

5 Reasons Why You Should Take Care of Your Pet’s Teeth

1. Pets that don’t get dental care can painfully lose their teeth. Also, as their teeth decay they can experience a great deal of pain. This, in turn, can affect their behavior.
2. Dogs, cats and other pets are very good at hiding their pain. So you may not know for some time that they have a dental problem until it’s too late and teeth have to be pulled.
3. Animals need their teeth to properly chew their food. It is the first stage of digestion. But as they age, their teeth do wear out and this will affect their ability to chew their food.
4. Excessive wear of pet teeth can lead to the teeth and gums becoming infected.
5. Dental infections can lead to serious problems with your pet’s organs. The bacteria in the oral cavity of a pet with periodontal disease can be released into the circulatory system. From there it can travel throughout the pet’s body and can cause damage to the heart, liver and kidneys.

Signs Your Pet May Have Dental Problems

• bad breath
• broken or loose teeth
• extra teeth or retained baby teeth
• teeth that are discolored
• abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
• reduced appetite or refusal to eat
• pain in or around the mouth
• bleeding from the mouth
• swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth

How Often Should Your Pet’s Teeth be Professionally Checked

We recommend your pet get their teeth checked and cleaned at least once or twice a year. However, how often they need cleaning really depends on the current condition of your pet’s teeth. We also highly recommend that you brush your pet’s teeth at home. If you don’t know how to do this one of our team members can show you.

I cannot over stress the importance of keeping your pet healthy by keeping their teeth healthy! Contact us for more information about dental care for your pet.