Keep Your Pet's Teeth Clean

Keep Your Pet’s Teeth Clean

October 5, 2020

Dental care is an important part of overall pet care in Saint Francisville, LA. Most of us don’t think too much about dental care when it comes to our pets, especially if we’re new pet owners. (After all, they can’t hold toothbrushes, and they seem to do just fine without them in the wild, right?) However, keeping your pet’s teeth clean is crucial. Pets can suffer from oral disease just as much as their humans do. Plus, that bad dog or cat breath isn’t just a gross part of pet ownership—it means that there could be something seriously wrong with your pet.

Here’s what you need to know about your pet’s dental care:

  • Brush your dog’s or cat’s teeth every day: If you’ve got an uncooperative pet (especially a cat), the idea of brushing your pet’s teeth might seem laughable—but it’s necessary. In fact, there are specially-made pet toothpastes with meat and fish flavors, which make it more palatable for them. You can also feed them special dental care food and treats to help the process along.
  • Dental problems can cause serious chronic pain: The reason you need to take care of your pet’s oral health is that it can cause serious, chronic pain that you might not recognize. Look for your pet drooling excessively, refusing to eat, dropping food or not grooming themselves anymore. These are all signs of dental problems, as are more obvious symptoms like bleeding gums, broken teeth and more.
  • Oral care needs to start early in life: The earlier you notice any oral care problems, the better. In fact, most dogs and cats develop some type of dental disease before the age of three. The longer you let the problem go, the more your pet will suffer. That’s why it’s so important to get them regular dental cleanings at your veterinarian’s office.
  • Your pet will be anesthetized: Your pet will get anesthesia, which will keep them calm during the process. This is a safe and necessary process that will spare your pet unnecessary pain or stress. Your vet will monitor your pet’s vitals during the teeth cleaning and screen them for any underlying issues before proceeding, so you can rest assured they’ll be safe.
  • It’s important to remove plaque from beneath the gumline: Part of the reason it’s so important to anesthetize your pet is that your vet needs to remove plaque from beneath the gumline, which can be uncomfortable if your pet is awake. There’s no way to explain to them that they need to hold still and it’s for their own good. Removing plaque helps eliminate the chances of periodontal disease.
  • Your pet may need post-dental care pain medication: Finally, your pet may need some pain medication if the dental care procedures were a little more extensive than a simple cleaning. Your vet will recommend an appropriate medication process to keep your pet feeling good while healing completely.

For help with your pet care in Saint Francisville, LA, including dental care, schedule an appointment with the St. Francisville Animal Hospital today.

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