Pets Need Dental Care Too! | Animal Lovers

February is National Pet Dental Health Month and while our hospital focuses on good dental health for pets all year long, this month is a great time to give this topic special attention! 

Did You Know!!!!! Not only is brushing your pet’s teeth beneficial to you….No more stinky kisses….It’s extremely beneficial for your pet’s health!

Smelly pet breath goes farther than just being an unpleasant odor that makes you want to avoid kisses.  Bad breath is a sign of periodontal disease that can lead to organ failure and other unwanted and uncomfortable diseases for your pet.

Dr. Niemiec, a board certified veterinary dental specialist states "It's estimated that by the age of two, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have some form of periodontal disease.  Periodontal infections have been linked to diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and other life threatening disorders. The best way to prevent periodontal disease is by regularly brushing your pet's teeth and by regularly visiting your veterinarian."

There are many different ways to take care of your pet’s teeth!

Brush * Rinse * Chew * Food * Prophylaxis

Brush & Paste: A toothbrush is an important tool in the fight against tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease. The toothbrush helps remove food particles and plaque, the thin sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth.  Toothpaste for pets doesn’t contain fluoride, as this is toxic to pets, but is enzyme based instead, benefiting your pet even if you can’t get a full 2 minutes of brushing in.  Videos on how to brush your pet’s teeth can be found on our website.

Rinse: Brushing may not be the way to go for your pet. Some pets don’t tolerate a tooth brush it their mouths but there are still options for those pets.  Consider an additive to their water (“Aquadent”) which helps prevent plaque accumulation, and promotes fresh breath every time they take a drink – like a mouth wash that’s safe for them to swallow.   

Chews: Our recommended CET Hextra chews have an antiseptic that releases into the oral cavity during chewing, killing bacteria for up to 24 hours simply from feeding 1 treat a day.  If your dog likes to chew or your cat likes treats, this may be a nice option for you.

Food: Special prescription foods, like our recommended Purina DH, can break off in large chunks which act as a scaler - scraping and breaking tartar off your pet’s teeth every time they eat.

Dental Prophylaxis: Sometimes a complete scaling and polishing is needed to get your pet’s teeth clean before the above items can be used as preventative care at home.  We have affordable packages every day of the year – already discounted at close to 50%!

**Find out more information on dental health for your pets at www.virbacpets.com or call our office at 916-714-5387!