Importance of Dental Health in Pets

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some form of dental disease by age three. A key aspect that needs a lot of care and attention is dog dental health and dental health in cats. It is one of the most overlooked features when it comes to our pets. As surprising as it may sound but it is true. Here in this blog, we tell you all about the importance of dental health in your pets.

Why is dental health important?

All vets will tell you that taking care of your pets dental health is just as important as taking care of their overall health. If neglected, the build-up of tartar and inflamed gums begin to surface. However, dental health symptoms only begin to show gradually, therefore, it is very important to keep a check from the very beginning. One of the best ways to do this is by scheduling annual dental health checkups with your veterinarian. If your pet has oral health or oral hygiene, it will have an impact on their overall health. Mentioned below are reasons how poor dental conditions can harm your pet:

• Tooth loss: Tooth loss is one of the most common and most harmful effects of neglecting your pet’s oral hygiene. This happens when the structures that support your pet’s teeth become infected and they lose their grip around the teeth.
• Halitosis or Bad Breath: Whenever you are near your pet for a hug or a lick, and you sense a bad smell or odor coming from their mouth, you must know that it is time to take them for a vet check-up so that you can seek good dental care.
• Organ Damage: One of the extremely serious effects of neglecting your pet’s dental health is organ damage. This happens when the bacteria in the plaque that is on the teeth enter the bloodstream and slowly spread to the heart, liver or kidneys. It can attack any organ and cause serious damage. This kind of spread of bacteria is known as bacteremia and can make your pet extremely sick.

What are the signs of dental disease in your pet?

Sometimes, your pet may not show that they are suffering from any dental problem from the outside, however, there are several signs and symptoms to look out for to help prevent oral hygiene issues. They are mentioned below:

• Drooling
• Tooth loss
• Bad Breath
• Bleeding gums
• Brown or yellow crust on the surface of the tooth
• A drastic change in the chewing habits

If you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms in your pet then you must book an appointment with your vet and get a health check-up done.

What are the ways to promote dental health in your pet?

You must be aware now how and why it is important to take care of pet dental health. While the concept of ‘perfect’ dental health is elusive, there are several proactive ways that you can stick to if you want to prevent dental problems in your pet. Of course, one of the safest and most foolproof ways is to schedule a visit to the veterinarian so that they can conduct a professional examination. However, apart from this, you can invest in preventive oral hygiene as it is the best way to ensure good health in your pet.

• Give your pet prescription dog food: Preventive oral hygiene begins with discussing what kind of nutrition you must give your pets and monitoring the food intake they do. When you discuss what kind of nutrition you must provide your pet, they will include food that helps in maintaining dental health and make the teeth strong.
• Get professional dental cleanings: Dental cleaning is a great way to prevent dental problems in your pet. When your pet undergoes professional dental cleaning then there is no build-up of plaque or tartar which helps in reducing the chances of getting any kind of oral problems. It helps in maintaining healthy dog teeth.
• Brushing your pet’s teeth: Another great way of making sure that your pet has good dental hygiene is by brushing their teeth. If you brush your pet’s teeth regularly the chances of plaque mineralising into tartar will reduce. However, getting your pet comfortable with regular brushing will take both time and patience, it is a great way of keeping their oral health in good shape!

These were a few important tips and tricks that help ensure good pet dental health. If you are looking for a vet clinic that can do a thorough examination of your pet then drop by the Zigly store and let all your worries take a back seat. You can also shop for the best dental treats and toys at our online pet store Zigly and make your pet a happy baby!