Dental Health: The Best Gift You Can Give to Your Pets
It’s February, also known as the month of love. As a pet parent, you may be thinking of ways to express your fondness for them. While showering them with favorite treats or fun toys is a good option, you may want to go to the next level. One of the ways to do this is to offer them the gift of optimal dental wellness.
Aside from being the month of love, February is acknowledged as the National Pet Dental Health Month! It means now is the perfect time to pay extra attention to your pet’s dental health. This is especially important because many pet parents like you tend to overlook it when, in fact, it is crucial. After all, it can affect your pet’s overall well-being.
To get started, you must first understand the basics of dental disease in your pets and how you can prevent them.
How Likely Can My Pet Get a Dental Disease?
Dental disease is common in pets. In fact, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have some kind of dental problems when they turn three years old. Not all pets show obvious signs of dental disease, so it is up to the pet's family and veterinarian to uncover these hidden and often painful conditions. Fortunately, your furry friend can avoid being part of these statistics by taking better care of their dental health!
Dogs can get many of the same or similar oral diseases as are seen in people. However, whereas the most common dental disease in people is tooth decay or cavities, in dogs it is periodontal disease. Whether someone develops cavities or not depends on multiple factors including environmental, bacterial plaque, and diet, but ultimately, there is tooth decay.
What Is the First Sign of a Dental Problem?
The first sign of a dental problem is bad breath caused by bacteria. It produces a smell when the bacteria clings to the teeth, and then turn into plaque. Keep in mind that bad breath is usually the first sign of dental problems, so be vigilant and do something about it as soon as you notice this dental problem.
Plaque and tartar build-up can result in periodontal disease. Periodontal disease in pets occurs when plaque film and tartar (hardened plaque) build-up on the teeth both above and below the gumline. This accumulation irritates the gum tissue and allows bacteria to flourish, leading to damage of the supportive structures of the teeth, which are the gums and the fibrous connective tissue that connects the roots of the teeth to the surrounding alveolar bone.
What Can I Do to Take Care of My Pet’s Dental Health?
- Toothpaste
Seek local pet supplies and buy only specially formulated toothpaste when brushing your pet’s teeth two to three times a week. Make sure to purchase a quality one that contains enzymes that can break down the plaque and reduce the accumulation of plaque and odor. It must also be safe to swallow to prevent your pet from having an upset stomach.
- Antibacterial supplement
Aside from toothbrushing, you can place an antibacterial supplement in your pet’s water bowl to decrease the number of oral bacteria. Add this product to their dental health routine by putting several drops of the supplement into the water bowl. You can gradually increase its amount to ensure your pet adjusts well to it.
- Dental chews
Another method you can use to take care of your pet’s dental health is to give them dental chews that reduce plaque accumulation. They work by rubbing the plaque off as your pet chews their treat. You can also consider using chlorhexidine, which can serve as a disinfectant.
Conclusion
Don’t make the common mistake of pampering your furry family member only through pet grooming and giving them more treats. Dental disease is common in pets, but your furry friend can avoid it if you learn to take better care of their dental health. Here’s how you can do that. You should also pay special attention to your pet’s teeth, mouth, and gums. Therefore, make sure to keep them healthy by remembering the information and following this guide’s tips. Don’t forget to buy from a reputable store like ours to ensure the quality of your dental pet supplies.
Treat your pets this month of love by heading to Earthwise Pet in Bentonville. We are a pet store that offers a wide variety of pet products for your convenience. Place your order now to start taking better care of your pet’s dental health! Our pet grooming team can also assist you if you're not comfortable doing it on your own, with a quick, easy, painless (no anesthetic) teeth cleaning procedure!