Animal Dental Care Tips:
- Dogs and cats should also have their
teeth brushed at home on a regular
basis
- The first step is to make it fun and
relaxing for your pet. Use lots of
praise and start slowly. Begin by
offering a small amount of flavored
pet toothpaste on your index finger as
“a treat” daily for 5-7 days. This
conditions your pet to expect a treat
when they see the tube of toothpaste.
- Use poultry-flavored toothpaste.
Toothpaste made for humans can make a
pet sick.
- Once the animal starts accepting or
even looking forward to this new
ritual, introduce a toothbrush and
clean the exterior of the animal's
teeth.
- Special foods, along with dental
chews, rawhides, dental bones and
other healthy products that pets
consider "treats," can help
keep teeth white and free of disease.
Avoid hard treats such as real bones,
hard plastic bones, and cow hooves as
they can lead to broken teeth.
Prevention is the best cure for dental
disease in animals. Schedule an
appointment if you see these symptoms or
signs of periodontal disease:
- Bad breath—it's not unusual for a
dog to have breath that's unpleasant,
but if it becomes putrid, this is a
strong sign of dental disease.
- Tartar build up—just like in
people, a dog or cat's teeth should be
white and free of tartar.
- Swollen, receding, or bleeding gums.
- Fractured teeth—bad oral hygiene
can lead to cavities, which can be
very painful.
- Change in eating habits—sometimes
an animal's dental disease can become
so uncomfortable that pets will avoid
certain foods.
Periodontal or gum
disease, in fact, is the number one
illness found in both dogs and cats.
Dental disease can cause
serious problems for your pet, ranging
from gum inflammation and tooth loss to
infection and even organ damage.
-
Up to 80% of dogs and
70% of cats that don’t receive
proper dental care will develop signs
of dental disease by the age of three.
-
Dental disease can be
easily prevented by following your
veterinarian’s advice regarding
dental examinations, home care, and
dental cleanings.
|