By age 3, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some sort of dental disease. Much like us, our pets requires regular dental maintenance in order to remain healthy. Dental Disease is the number 1 illness affecting pets, and can affect heart, kidney and lung function.
Signs dental disease can include:
Homecare
Home care is vitally important.
Signs dental disease can include:
- Red or swollen gums
- Brownish tartar on the teeth
- Excessive drooling
- Loose teeth
- Offensive breath
Homecare
Home care is vitally important.
Products that have been approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) meet higher standards for controlling tartar and plaque.
Daily brushing is the gold standard. Use a flavored pet toothpaste and rub it on the pet's gums daily to allow the pet to become accustomed to handling of the mouth. Then using a toothbrush made for pets allow the soft bristles to penetrate beneath the gingival margin. Make sure to open the mouth slightly to access the molars.
OraVet (Merial, Duluth, GA) is a product that may be used as a brushing substitute for clients that can't or won't brush. It is a waxy material that electrostatically adheres to the teeth, creating about 100 layers of the protectant. These layers keep the plaque from attaching to the tooth, and the layers exfoliate one at a time, taking the plaque away from the tooth. This product is not as good as brushing, but better than not doing anything.
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I personally believe that T/D (Hill's Pet Nutrition - Topeka, KS) works well, but there are many excellent dental diets.
Numerous dental chews are available and can be an important adjunct to brushing. Some chew toys should be avoided. Cow hooves, bones, Nylabones (the hard, white ones), and "bully sticks" can fracture teeth. Rope chews can be beneficial to the teeth but can cause GI problems if swallowed. When evaluating chew toys, use the "thumbnail test." If you can't make a dent in the object with your thumbnail, don't give to your pet. Also use the "bending rule." If you can't bend it, don't give it to your pet.
Numerous dental chews are available and can be an important adjunct to brushing. Some chew toys should be avoided. Cow hooves, bones, Nylabones (the hard, white ones), and "bully sticks" can fracture teeth. Rope chews can be beneficial to the teeth but can cause GI problems if swallowed. When evaluating chew toys, use the "thumbnail test." If you can't make a dent in the object with your thumbnail, don't give to your pet. Also use the "bending rule." If you can't bend it, don't give it to your pet.
