Did you know that dental disease is as common in dogs and cats as it is in people? So how do you prevent dental problems in your pet?

The best prevention is to brush your dog or cat’s teeth daily. Special meat flavoured toothpaste is avaliable from your vet clinic as well as toothbrushes which are specially designed for your pet’s mouth. If your animal doesn’t agree with getting its teeth cleaned then there are many other options. These include chewing on raw bones, raw hide bones or other specially designed dental chews at least twice a week. There is a dry dog food available which is designed to clean as your pet eats, which is available from your vet clinic.

What if my dog or cat already has dental disease?

Then you should visit your vet for professional advice and cleaning which may involve your pet having a general anaesthetic. Signs of dental disease include bad breath, brown colored “tartar” build up, red, swollen or bleeding gums and gums receded from the teeth causing them to be loose.

Why should I worry about dental disease?

Dental disease can make your dog very smelly to be around but more importantly it can be a source of infection which can make your dog very sick, even causing kidney or heart problems. It can also be very painful for you pet.

So for dog’s sake, get its teeth checked!