February is National Pet Dental Health Month
Dental cleanings for your pet dog or cat (and for many exotic pets) are critical to their health and long-term happiness and should be maintained year-round. Dental disease is the most common health issue in companion animals. According to the American Veterinary Dental College, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some degree of periodontal disease by age three.
Periodontal disease doesn’t just cause a foul smell; it can also aggravate heart, liver, and kidney issues, making it difficult to regulate chronic conditions and causing unnecessary pain and discomfort. The bacteria and toxins released by untreated dental disease enter your pet’s bloodstream, causing infections in various organs and making it difficult to treat common infections like Urinary Tract Infections, Upper Respiratory Infections, and skin infections.
Fortunately, there are several ways pet owners can maintain good dental health right at home!
Conditions of Oral Health – Healthy Teeth and Gums
Healthy teeth should have minimal tartar and plaque buildup. The gums should be pink and firmly attached to the tooth surface, with no fractures, cracks, chips, or holes (known as resorptive lesions in cats). Gums should not be receded or bleeding.
Toothbrushes: Not Just for People
Home care following a dental cleaning is essential to maintaining oral health for your pet. The American Veterinary Dental College recommends brushing your pet's teeth daily and scheduling dental cleanings with your veterinarian twice a year. While this may seem daunting at first, with time and patience, you can make brushing your pet’s teeth a regular part of the daily routine. See [How to Brush Your Pet’s Teeth] for our guide, or call our hospital to speak to a technician for more tips.
Tooth-Friendly Treats and Diet
The treats you give your pet play a big role in their dental health. Tooth fractures are common injuries, often seen in dogs that chew on cage or crate doors, fences, cow hooves, rocks, or hard toys. Fractures can also occur due to fighting or traumatic injury, especially in cats. Just like in people, broken teeth hurt! Avoid treats like cow hooves and hard plastic toys. Opt for dental-friendly treats like C.E.T Chews, available through your veterinarian, which contain a special enzyme that provides more effective plaque and tartar removal than ordinary biscuits.
We also carry Hill's Prescription Diet T/D and Royal Canin Dental, which are among the few products awarded the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s Seal of Acceptance for helping reduce plaque and tartar buildup. These can be fed as a standard diet or used as a treat and come in regular (medium to large breed), small bites (small and toy breed), and feline formulas. It’s never too early to start your pet on the right path for a healthy mouth.
We run a year-round program, giving customers 10% off any dental cleanings within six weeks of receiving their annual coupon. Let us know if you haven’t received your annual teeth cleaning coupon or if you’d like to schedule this service.
The veterinarians and technicians at Orange Grove Animal Hospital are here to help and pets need an exam before scheduling dental work so we can gain a better understanding of how much work is needed. Call us at 520-877-2626 to schedule your pet's dental health checkup today!