Dental Hygiene and your Pet
Our pet cats and dogs rely on us to make sure that their teeth and oral health are in good order. They are not able to brush their teeth twice daily and take themselves to the dentist every 6 months as we do, so WE must take care of their dental hygiene for them.
Here at PowisVets, we want to encourage you to find out more about dental hygiene for your pets and how together, we can all help your furry friends.
Why is it important that I look after my pet’s teeth?
Poor dental hygiene can be a source of chronic pain and discomfort for many pets – who don’t cry out in pain, they just tolerate it. Dental disease in an older animal can cause ill-thrift (failure to maintain a healthy weight) which may mistakenly be attributed to the animal ‘getting old’.
If there is an infection in the mouth it can allow bacteria into the body via the blood stream and cause infections elsewhere. Bad teeth can therefore just be the ‘tip of the iceberg’ and should be attended to promptly.
What will the Vet be able to see?
A DENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT WITH A VET will involve a thorough examination of the mouth. The Vet will look for tartar and gingivitis and check the condition of the patient’s gums.
What can I do to keep my pet’s teeth clean and mouth healthy?
We can advise on the best type of diet, chews and teeth cleaning.