Did you know that bad breath is one of the earliest signs of periodontal disease in pets? Your pet’s breath should have a neutral smell without any foul odours. Our team can help you cover the bases so you can keep your pet’s oral health in the best condition possible.
Preventative Care – In Clinic
Just like humans need to visit the dentist at least once a year, so do your pets. The most important (and easiest) thing you can do for your pet’s dental health is to ensure they get a full dental exam and cleaning at least once per year. This way, we can detect and remedy any problems early on to avoid further complications. Falling behind on their dental appointments can lead to preventable pain and financial costs down the road.
Preventative Care – At Home
There are several steps you can take at home to keep your pet’s teeth looking and feeling great.
1. Brush your pet’s teeth daily to reduce tartar and buildup. This may sound like an almost impossible task, but with proper technique and tools, you can have a routine in no time! Feel free to reach out to us and we can share our proven methods with you. Specially flavoured toothpaste, positive reinforcement, and brushing from once every few days to once a day, are just some of the ways to get started.
2. Help your pet avoid any toys, food, and other objects that can cause damage to their teeth and gums. These include the following:
- Tennis balls
- Bones
- Sticks
- Frayed rope
- Ice cubes
- Cow hooves
3. Certain medicated snacks and food can also help keep your pet’s teeth in good shape. Dry foods such as kibble, for example, can help scrape away tartar buildup, versus softer foods that can more easily accumulate in between the teeth.
4. Always keep a close eye on any changes in your pet’s teeth and reach out to us right away if you notice concerning symptoms. Aside from bad breath, inflamed/bleeding gums, blood in their food/water bowls, loose teeth, and decreased appetite are potential warning signs of poor oral health.
If you have any questions related to your pet’s oral health, please contact us at 905-690-0040.
