What if we told you that, ideally, dogs and cats need their teeth brushed every day! Like us, our pets need to have their teeth well cared for.
Dental disease is one of the most common.
diseases in cats and dogs. Over 50% of cats and 80% of dogs over 3 years have some form of dental disease. Not only does dental health affect their teeth, but the bacteria can travel through their bloodstream and cause heart and kidney disease, as well as other issues.
Your animal may not show obvious signs of pain with dental disease – it takes a lot to get an animal to stop eating! This is why it’s important to take a good look at your pet’s teeth regularly. Here at Vets of Geelong, we offer free nurse dental checks, where we can answer any of your dental health questions!
Luckily, you can do many things to help take care of your loved ones’ teeth. The gold standard is teeth brushing, but there are other options if this isn’t possible for you and your pets.
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Regular dentistry under anaesthetic is a must when it comes to dental health. Cats and dogs need dentals about every 1-2 years (though this can range depending on breed, size, genetics and other factors).
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Dental chews are fantastic (as long as your pet CHEWS them and doesn’t INHALE them like a food vacuum!). We do not recommend bones or deer antlers as they can cause dental fractures and foreign bodies.
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Dental diets, such as Hills T/D, are made to act like a toothbrush and scrub the teeth, getting rid of the bacteria.
So, this is your sign to have a look at your pet’s mouth and look for signs of dental disease! And if you have any issues or questions, don’t hesitate to call us on 5243 0077 and book a free nurse consult.
