Pet Dental Health

We all know the importance of our own dental health. However, are we following the same rules for our pets? It’s important to look after our pets’ teeth, ensuring good health and freedom from disease and decay.

But you can also look out for the following signs for dental problems:

As with most diseases, prevention is far better than cure. There are numerous ways to prevent dental disease:

• Dental hygiene – Some of you may have noticed at our reception desk we now stock Finger Brushes, this is because tooth brushing is the gold standard of dental care for pets and, as with humans, it should be done ideally every day, or at least twice a week. These brushes are smaller than a human toothbrush and have softer bristles. Human toothpastes can not be used for pets as have the potential to cause stomach upsets. However, you can use an appropriate animal toothbrush and paste. We would be happy to advise you on what is best for your pet. Before you begin caution should always be taken to avoid any injuries to either you or your pet. Brushing your pets teeth can be a process that takes time to master. You can make an appointment with one of our Veterinary Nurses to discuss your pets dental routine and get advice on the best way to brush. Although Cats and Dogs require their teeth brushed daily it is not just cats and dogs that require dental management, smaller pets like Rabbits, Hamsters and Guinea Pigs can also encounter dental problems and have different dental hygiene requirements.
• Dental diets – Several pet food companies now offer dental diets, designed to combat dental disease. Dental kibbles of a particular shape, size and texture have a mild abrasive effect and are formulated to clean your pet’s teeth as they chew.
• Dental chews/treats – Are designed to work in much the same way as diets. However caution is advised with dental treats and chews as some of them contain a high quantity of fat and it is advised that pets are supervised at all times with any chews.