Oral care for cats and dogs is as important as it is for individuals, however, it is the most overlooked health care dilemma among pets. Sixty percent of pet owners don’t provide dental care for their pets. Cats and dogs can get plaque build-up and gingivitis just like humans. Although cats and dogs don’t get cavities their teeth may rust. Poor dental hygiene can result in other health issues. The perfect way to prevent health problems is to give your pet routine dental care.
- The American Chemical Society reports that by age three up to eighty percent of our pets reveal signs of dental disease. If your pet has plaque build it up may result in gingivitis, rotten teeth, and bad breath. A good deal of these problems is due to feeding your pet a bad diet. Contrary to popular belief processed commercial kibble can actually stick to your pet’s teeth and lead to plaque build-up, such as when we eat crackers. A better alternative is to serve your pet an all-natural home-cooked diet. A home-cooked diet will ensure your pet is receiving the proper nutrients to build a strong immune system. A powerful immune system helps fight diseases, such as dental disease. Let your pet crunch on natural snacks such as raw carrots and apples to remove dirt and food particles from their teeth. Feeding all-natural foods will also help them maintain a healthy weight. Cats and dogs do not require dental hygiene in the wild since they do not eat kibble.
- Plaque buildup comes from food that is stuck in your pet’s teeth. Once these particles harden they calcify and turn to gingivitis. Apart from an all-natural diet brushing your pet’s teeth daily will help eliminate excess dirt collected throughout the day. You can discover toothbrushes and toothpaste in the regional pet shop or online. Do not ever use toothpaste made for people. Additionally, it can make your pet ill.
- Let your puppy chew. Chewing occurs naturally to most creatures. Raw natural bones help fortify the jaw and remove particles from your pet’s teeth. Chew toys for example kongs and fleece tug toys are a good way for the furry friend to clean their teeth and burns off excess energy also. My Golden has a few bones and automatically after every meal she lies on the ground and chews on a bone, almost like she is brushing her own teeth. Animals in the wild get normal chances to chew.
- Plaque and gingivitis do not just affect your pet’s mouth. Once gingivitis gets below the gums it may get into the blood and affect different areas of the body such as the heart, kidneys & liver. Pets don’t normally get cavities however their teeth can become rotten and drop out. Rotten teeth may cause your pet pain. You may want to have your pet checked out by your veterinarian twice a year. This way you can catch dental issues before they get out of hand.
- This requires putting your pet under sedation. Even though a younger pet may have the ability to deal with those cleanings you may want your older pet to have checkup-free dental hygiene. Many vet offices now provide checkup-free teeth cleaning. Consult your vet if it’s available at their workplace.
To keep your pet healthy be sure that you include dental care in their general health care regiment. Feeding your pet a fantastic all-natural diet, brushing their teeth, giving you lots of opportunities to chew will help combat dental issues. Assist them to live a long healthy lifestyle by taking care of their teeth together with the rest of those.
But lots of pets don’t get the regular oral hygiene they need to maintain their teeth and gums healthy.
At our veterinary hospital, we offer complete pet dental care in the Avon region, ranging from basics like cleanings and polishing to operations and dental x-rays.
Our veterinarians in Animal General provide restorative and preventative routine dental care and operations for dogs and cats in the Avon region.
We’re also enthusiastic about dental health education about house dental care for pet owners. Check this page for more details.
