Pet Dental Health Month
Who doesn’t LOVE slobbery, drooly, licky kisses in the morning?! From your pet that is! Let’s face it, our pets don’t always have that freshly-brushed-minty breath anyways, but it is extremely important to keep an eye out on their dental health and the smell of their breath may be our first sign something is wrong.
Unfortunately, according to the American Veterinary Dental College, there are only a few signs that cats and dogs are suffering from a periodontal disease, one being bad breathe and the other being some redness around the gums. It is reported that often times these diseases are realized too late, but there are some things we can do at home to help prevent these dental diseases in our lovable pets.
CATS
- Brush your cat’s teeth – Daily is best; avoid human toothpaste, but select a pet specific kind. These will come in flavors that your pet will accept (fish and poultry.) It is recommended that you ease into brushing over 1-2 months.
- Have the vet regularly check your cat’s teeth and gums
DOGS
- Brush your pup’s teeth – Similar to feline care…Daily is best; avoid human toothpaste, but select a pet specific kind. These will come in flavors that your pet will accept (fish and poultry.) If your dog becomes restless while brushing the side “cheek” teeth and it appears to be painful, please have this checked out as soon as possible.
- Rawhide and chew treats can be helpful
- Have the vet regularly check your dog’s teeth and gums
While these are all great tips from the American Veterinary Dental College, this is an important aspect of your pet’s health. Please ensure that you talk with your family vet and ask their advice on your specific pet and their dental care routine.
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Source: American Veterinary Dental College, http://www.avdc.org/