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Keeping your pet healthy and happy throughout her life means ensuring that she gets plenty of exercise and enrichment, proper nutrition, and quality pet wellness and pet dental care.
By the time your cat or dog is 3 years old, she will most likely show some signs of dental disease, which will only worsen without professional pet dental care. Periodontal (gum) disease impacts much more than your pet’s breath or smile: the condition can become extremely painful, and as the bacteria builds up in your pet’s gums, it can eventually travel to her organs and cause kidney, liver, or heart damage.
Signs of Dental Disease in Cats and Dogs
Your pet’s True Care Veterinary Hospital veterinarian will take a look at your pet’s mouth during every wellness exam to check for outward signs of dental disease, but it’s important to contact us right away if you notice any of the following problems:
- Foul breath
- Loose or broken teeth
- Excessive drooling
- Abnormal chewing, food falling out of the mouth
- Swollen gums or lumps in the mouth
- Pawing at the mouth or reduced appetite
- Bleeding in the mouth
Effective Cat Dental Care and Dog Dental Care
A key component of your pet’s dental care are professional dental cleanings under general anesthesia—typically once a year. The use of general anesthesia is necessary to allow our veterinarians to thoroughly clean your pet’s teeth, remove plaque, take digital dental x-rays, and perform any extractions necessary.
We understand that the use of anesthesia can be concerning to pet parents. We do all we can to minimize any risk, including monitoring your pet’s vital signs and blood oxygen levels throughout the procedure as well as during your pet’s post-anesthesia recovery.
At-home Dental Hygiene
You will be amazed at how clean and healthy your pet’s mouth looks after a professional pet dental care visit! The most important thing you can do at home to maintain your pet’s oral health is to regularly brush your pet’s teeth using a species-specific toothbrush and toothpaste. We are always happy to demonstrate proper brushing techniques for you.
To help reduce the buildup of tartar, you can also offer your pet dental treats and chews approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council. Ideally, begin your cat dental care or dog dental care when your pet is a puppy or kitten, but it’s never too late! Your senior pet will also benefit from at-home dental hygiene.
Your pet deserves to live a long, healthy life with a clean, healthy mouth. As part of your pet’s overall wellness care, Your True Care Veterinary Hospital professional will create a dental plan tailored for your pet. Please contact us to schedule a dental examination or if you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s oral health.