February is National Pet Dental Month
Yup – it is time to talk teeth. Most of you take very good
care of your dogs and cats. You vaccinate regularly, you make annual
visits to the vet’s. You enjoy time bonding and playing. You
exercise your pet. But, when was the last time you looked into their
mouth and checked out their teeth and gums?? Your pet relies on
you to keep him healthy – and this includes dental health.
It is estimated that 85% of dogs and cats that are 4 years or older
have some sort of periodontal disease. This leads to the development
of plaque and tarter on their teeth. If left unchecked, this can
cause bacteria, infection and tooth loss. Your pet’s gums
can bleed, their breath can become so bad that you no longer welcome
their kisses, and they may not be able to play with their favorite
toy or eat the healthy kibble that fills the food bowls.
The best way to get your pet used to regular tooth examination/brushing
is to start them young. However, it is never to late to start. There
are numerous kits on the market that include toothpaste especially
formulated for your cat or dog, a toothbrush and often a finger
brush, which is the easiest to start with. Have your vet show you
the proper way to brush your pet’s teeth. It is important
that you use a toothpaste formulated for your pet!!! They do not
have the capability to spit things out, so will swallow the toothpaste;
fluoride is not good for your pet.
Diet and treats play an important role in dental health. A good
quality kibble can help keep your pet’s teeth clean of tarter.
Crunchy treats – biscuits, carrots, and apples – can
do this too. For dogs, how about a nice juicy marrow or buffalo
bone?? There are almost endless choices of toys that are a great
help in keeping Fido’s teeth and gums healthy – rawhide
(make sure to purchase rawhide made in the USA with beef from the
USA to avoid any nasty chemicals!!), Kongs, Nylabones, Greenies…I
could go on and on.
At some point, your pet may need a dentistry done at your vet’s.
This often means your pet will be anesthetized and then the tarter
and plaque is scraped off. This can be expensive and sometimes even
traumatic for the pet, so by keeping up with things at home, you
can avoid this, or at least make it less likely to be needed.
Healthy teeth and gums help keep your pet healthy overall. If you
have questions, speak with your vet. You can also visit www.petdental.com
for help, or check out pet care books at your local library. Because
you never want your pet’s breath to be so bad that you can’t
stand their kisses…where is the fun in that??
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