What to Look for When Checking Your Pet's Teeth and Gums

Cartoons often refer to a cat’s bad breath. Their breath may be used as a lethal weapon or cause a person to recoil in horror. While a feline’s normal breath may not be as sweet as ours after brushing our teeth and using a mouthwash, neither should the cat’s breath be a lethal weapon. The same applies to your dog’s breath.

Dental Care for Your Pet

Most people are very aware of their own teeth. We know about plaque control, cavity prevention and the social evils of bad breath. Most people also visit their dentist regularly. Despite this awareness of human dentistry, many pet owners do not realize their animals are subject to the same problems.

Cat Dental Health: What Cat Lovers Need to Know

The good news is that gum disease is reversible if caught early enough - and can even be prevented.

Common Dental Diseases in Dogs and Cats

Dental disease is the most common chronic disease in our dog and cat patients. It is often silent and most animals suffer without complaint. The outward signs of dental disease can range from obvious issues like reluctance to eat dry food, pawing at the mouth, or drooling to more subtle changes such as hiding, decreased playfulness, or weight loss. Interestingly, the diseases that dogs and cats get are often different.

Dental disease is the most common disease of dogs and cats

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 70% of cats and 80% of dogs suffer from some form of gum disease by the time they are 2-3 years old. Current research even suggests this is actually an underestimate in many pets. Dental disease does not only affect dogs and cats but also our exotic companion mammals. Rabbits and guinea pigs need regular exams, too. Pet parents may not realize that brushing their pet’s teeth should ideally start at 6 to 7 months of age.

Dental Hygiene - Caring For Your Dog & Cat's Teeth Periodontal Disease In Your Pets

All dogs cats and ferrets eventually suffer from some form of dental disease.

Dogs, Cats and Dental Health

Did you know that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats will show evidence of dental disease by age 3? That’s a scary statistic and something about which all pet parents should be worried. As people, we usually brush our teeth twice a day (at least), so what should we be doing to make sure our dogs and cats have healthy teeth and gums for their whole lives?

Feline Dental Problems

Dental disease is common in domestic felines. In fact, dental problems are the most common disease that we see in cats, and many dental problems are painful.

The Right way to Dental Care for your Dog

Despite the popular conception, dog biscuits and bones do not keep the teeth clean and healthy. Although some veterinarians feel that gnawing on these hard substances has benefit, it does not prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar which, unless removed, can lead to gum inflammation, tooth root abscesses and other oral problems. That's the simple truth.