Discussing The Importance Of Dental Hygiene And Dental Care For Dogs & Cats In Honor Of National Pet Dental Health Month
Dental care and hygiene is a very important, yet often overlooked, aspect of pet care. Both dogs and cats rely on their teeth to eat food and play with toys. However, their teeth are subject to a lot of wear and tear. Keeping and maintaining your pet’s dental health is crucial for keeping them happy and healthy.
Pet dental health is so important, that there is a month-long holiday dedicated to it called National Pet Dental Health Month. In honor of this amazing holiday, this article will discuss everything you need to know about pet dental health. This includes signs of dental health problems, causes of dental health problems, and things you can do at home to improve your pets’ dental health.
Signs Of Dental Health Problems
A pet’s teeth and gums should be inspected by your veterinarian at least once a year. This typically occurs during their annual checkup. This is so the veterinarian can catch an oral health problem early and before it gets out of hand.
Early signs of pet dental health problems include swelling in the mouth, bleeding from the mouth, pain in the mouth, bad breath, loose or broken teeth, discolored teeth, tartar build-up, abnormal chewing/drooling, and reduced appetite. If your pet is exhibiting any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian and set up an appointment with them.
Causes Of Dental Health Problems
There are many different contributing factors that could lead to dental health problems in pets. Some common examples of these causes include Periodontal disease, tumors/cysts in the mouth, abscesses or infected teeth, broken or fractured jaw, palate defects, and Malocclusion (misalignment of teeth).
These are just a few examples of common causes of pet dental health problems. Unless you are a pet medical professional, we don’t advise diagnosing your pet yourself. Leave this up to your veterinarian instead. For more information about pet dental health, click here.
Pet Dental Health Care At Home
The best way to care for your pets dental health is to take preventive measures at home. Here are just a few basic things you can do at home to improve and maintain your pet’s dental health.
Daily Brushing
To keep your pet’s teeth in healthy shape, try brushing your pet’s teeth. This should be done twice a day for best results. Daily brushing helps remove leftover food and bacterial biofilm. Purchase different size toothbrushes until you find a size that best fits your pets needs. Always use toothbrushes with soft bristles too.
Additionally, invest in an enzymatic pet toothpaste. This type of toothpaste is specifically designed for pets and caters to their needs. Lastly, when it comes to pet tooth brushing, start slow. It will probably take time for your pet to become accustomed to it and for you to get the hang of it. But, it will get easier the more often you do it.
Dental Wipes
Besides brushing, another great option for pet teeth cleaning is pet dental wipes. These wipes are great for cleaning the large surface areas of your pet’s teeth. While they don’t replace brushing, they are easy to use and less invasive to your pet. They are especially great for cleaning the K9’s. For more information about pet dental wipes, click here.
Oral Rinses
Another great option for at home pet dental health care is an oral rinse. This product is very similar to mouthwash for people. It can be used alongside brushing or as a substitute if your pet won’t tolerate brushing. You simply apply the rinse to your pet’s gums with a squeeze bottle or a cotton swab.
Common active ingredients in pet oral rinses include zinc gluconate, Vitamin C, and Chlorhexidine. Oral rinses help rinse away the bacterial film that builds up on your pet’s gums. For more information about the different types of pet oral rinses, click here.
Dental Chews
Lastly, there are also dental chews that you can give to your pets to improve their dental health. Dental chews work similar to the way chewing gum works for people. It simply helps break up and remove any plague or leftover food in their teeth. However, not all dental chews are created equally. Some dental chews don’t work as well as others and can actually chip or break your pet’s teeth.
For a full list of the best veterinarian recommended pet dental chews, click here.
A Holiday That Improves Pet’s Lives
Animal Dental Care & Oral Surgery reports that 70% of cats and 80% of dogs will have some form of periodontal disease by the age of three. This is a shockingly high statistic that truly reflects how common dental care problems occur in pets. National Pet Dental Health Month aims to lower these statistics by educating pet owners about pet dental health.
Hire A Pet Sitter Today!
Pets need regular stimulation to stay happy and mentally healthy. If you don’t have the time to regularly stimulate your pets, then consider hiring a professional pet sitter! Here at Stay At Home Pet Services, we offer quality pet sitting services at competitive prices. We have over 10 years of experience, our sitters are certified in pet first aid & CPR, and we love all pets as if they were our own.
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