Dental neglect can impact health, longevity
of otherwise healthy and well-cared-for pets

While you may think you’re taking good care of your pet’s health, you could be overlooking one of the essential elements of canine or feline well-being – regular dental care.

This isn’t just a cosmetic concern. Just like us, our companion animals are subject to plaque and tartar buildup, tooth decay and gum disease that, if left untreated, can cause bad breath, considerable pain, affect their ability to eat, and be a source of chronic infection that can negatively impact your pet’s health and quality of life.

Unlike humans, however, pets don’t need to visit a dentist. Their dental needs can all be handled by your veterinarian.

The best way to avoid problems, of course, is to have occasional dental cleanings done by your veterinarian, and, if possible, to “brush” their teeth at home. Depending on how cooperative your pet is, you may be able to use a “fingerbrush” designed for dogs and cats to regularly clean their teeth, or else a damp gauze pad might do the trick. With your fingerbrush or gauze pad, gently go over the outer gum line on the top and bottom. (It’s not necessary to try and clean the inside gum area.) NEVER use a fluoride toothpaste on your dog or cat, since fluoride is a toxic ingredient and, of course, pets don’t rinse.

Many cats and dogs have already developed problems that need to be addressed before they get worse (which might be apparent from such symptoms as chronic bad breath or appearing to be in pain when eating). One of the biggest tip-offs may be if a cat or dog seems hungry but won’t eat.

Often pets with neglected dental problems may need numerous extractions. Most, however, will recover quickly and be eating normally in a day or two, even if they have had a number of teeth extracted at one time.

All canine and feline dental procedures are done under general anesthesia, which usually will require that a blood panel be done in advance. Having a complete blood work-up done can be very useful, as it will provide you with a baseline for liver and kidney function and well as other vital information which can indicate how your pet is aging.

One immediately noticeable advantage of having your pet’s dental problems taken care of will be no more doggie breath or, in the case of cats, “fish breath” for all those times your furry friend gets “in your face.”