The Importance of Dental Care for Cats and Dogs
Compared to humans, their dental care is vehemently overlooked. However, even though many pet owners try their best when it comes to how nutrition, grooming, and exercise their pet gets, they sometimes overlook the need for oral hygiene in our furry friends too. Veterinary dental problems in dogs and cats — just like in people — can cause discomfort, pain, and, if left untreated, lead to more serious health problems.
In the following article we will see why it is important to take care of dental care, what are the main dental problems of our dogs and cats, how to detect them and how to have a healthy mouth of a dog and cat.
How Important Is Pet Dental Care?
Dental Care for Your Cat or Dog Isn't Just About Avoiding Bad Breath It protects against painful diseases, lowers the risk of infections and can add years to your pet's life. Here are few points which indicates how important dental care is:
1. Prevents Dental Diseases
Periodontal disease is a disease of the gums and teeth and the most prevalent dental disease that affects pets. Initially, it starts with some plaque that develops but hardens into tartar and will lead to inflammation and infection if no treatment takes place. Proper dental care, helps prevent plaque on your pet teeths and is the key to keeping your pet oral health.
2. Protects Internal Organs
Harmful bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream that may be the reaching important organs like your heart, liver and kidneys. When this happens, we term this condition bacteremia which can bring about very serious illness to your pet and eventually shorten their life expectancy.
3. Reduces Pain and Discomfort
At present time, there are lot of different types of oral health problems, for example, dental disease, gum disease and oral infections, which are very painful for your pet! If you practice good dental hygiene, you will not have these problems and will keep your cat or dog happy and pain free.
4. Maintains Overall Health
They can develop smelly breath, loss of appetite, and even behavioral changes when they miss out on their dental care. The same applies for both your pets, taking care of their teeth falls under their wellbeing too thus, helping them to live a more happy and healthy life.
Dog and cat dental problems types
What dental issues can dogs and cats experience? Here are some of the more common problems:
1. Periodontal Disease
The most common pet dental issue is plaque and tartar buildup. If it goes untreated, it can cause inflamed gums, loss of teeth, and even infections.
2. Tooth Resorption (in Cats)
This happens when the structure of a tooth begins to break down. It hurts, and more often it sits pluck removed. If caught early, it can make it slightly more manageable and this is one of many reasons regular dental appointments can be so important.
3. Broken or Fractured Teeth
Many dogs chew aggressively, and this makes fractured teeth common. This may expose the sensitive inner layer of the tooth, which can be prone to infections and pain.
4. Bad Breath (Halitosis)
Although this may not seem too dangerous, chronic halitosis may be one of the first indicators of some serious dental issues such as infection or gum disease.
5. Gingivitis
It is characterized by swelling and inflammation of the gums, which may appear red and bleed. If this is left alone, it will lead onto more advanced periodontal disease.
Here are signs that your furry friend might be suffering from dental disease
Awareness of dental problems at an early stage can prevent them from getting worse and leading to other health problems. Look for one or more of these symptoms:
- Bad breath
- Difficulty eating or chewing
- Drooling excessively
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- Loose or missing teeth
- Pawing at the mouth
- Visible tartar buildup
If you have witnessed any of these signs, book your pet into the vet for a dental check up.
Dental Health in Pets 101: The Mauled Message
Dentists: You Will not ever Leave Your Pet Dental Care Complicated. Here are a few would really hate to keep up your cat or a doggy paw perfect.
1. Regular Brushing
Brushing is the best way to maintain your pup's dental hygiene. Use a toothbrush and toothpaste for animals—not human toothpaste, as this can be toxic for pets.
2. Dental Treats and Chew Toys
Some dental treats and chew toys even can actually reduce plaque/tartar naturally while keeping your pet busy.
3. Professional Dental Cleanings
However, brushing is sometimes not practicable, and then plaque hardens into tartar, at which point your veterinarian can help by cleaning it out during routine cleaning sessions. These cleanings can be suggested yearly based on your pets dental health.
4. Dental Diets
Certain types of pet foods are actually designed to help with oral health. Over time, these diets help decrease plaque and tartar accumulation.
5. Water Additives
Dental water additives that can help prevent bad breath and plaque are also available for your pet's drinking water.
When Should You Inspect Your Pet's Teeth?
You want to be looking in your pets mouth ideally weekly but quarterly at the minimum. Observe if you have any dental problems such as bad breath, redness of your gums, the buildup of plaque. Moreover, you need to go to your well-known doctor at least two times in an year for an entire cycle of your teeth so you may find dental problems in its more and more initial development.
The Unsung Hers Of Vet Dental Care
Breaking: A vet can be a key factor in maintaining the dental health of your pet. During annual check-ups there are many things your vet can do for you.
- Perform thorough oral exams
- Clean teeth professionally
- Recognize early symptoms of mouth problem
- Home dental care advice
If dental disease is legitimate, your vet will be upfront about this and recommend extractions or other more extensive treatments (and medication for the other sites of infection).
Reasons Why Correct Dental Hygiene Is Important For Pets
The benefits of good dental hygiene for your pets:
- Improved overall health
- As difficult it is to keep the teeth
- Fresher breath
- Better eating habits
- Longer lifespan
- A smelly mouth also equals a dirty miserable animal.
Conclusion
It is not only about smelling nice for your cats and dogs — dental care is an important element of your pets' health and well-being. Brushing their teeth daily, providing dental chews, professional cleanings and check-ups are steps to prevent painful mouth diseases and will ultimately extend the life of your pet!
Now, you may already know that good dental care is priority number one if you want that furry guy or gal to have most of its life be happy and healthy, so take a look at Craig Purcell's Expert article on Dog & Cat Dentistry. So whilst you settle down to cuddle up to your furry family member, remember, they smile as bright as YOU do!
