Happy Pet Dental Health Month!
The initiative by the Australian Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS) is an annual celebration of healthy smiles and the well being of our pets. It also provides vets an opportunity to discuss your pet’s dental health! And gives pet owners a friendly reminder about the importance of dental checks.
This year’s theme is “Healthy Set, Happy Pet.” But what is a healthy set? And how can you help your pets maintain their dental health? We’ve put together some handy hints to identify common dental issues and how to prevent them.
How do you know if your pet has a toothache?
It can be hard to tell if your pet has a toothache. Animals have the tendency to not show pain, and often owners miss the signs. So, how can you tell if your dog or cat has a toothache?
Some common signs that may indicate something is wrongs with your pets teeth, include:
- Drooling
- Bad breath
- Loss of appetite or inability to eat
- Pawing at the mouth
- Mouth hanging open / tongue out
- Using one side of the mouth
- Dropping food while chewing
- Build-up of plaque and stains on teeth
- Red swollen / bleeding gums
If your pet is showing any of these signs, make an appointment with your vet today. Annual dental health checks are an ideal opportunity for owners to find out if their pet has existing problems that may have gone unnoticed.
Dental Diseases are more common than you may think!
Did you know that periodontal diseases are one of the most common problems vets encounter? If untreated these conditions can lead to serious health problems in areas such as the kidney, heart and liver.
But don’t stress – in the early stages, periodontal diseases are reversible, if treated correctly. This is why annual dental check for your pets is extremely important! There are also some simple ways that you can protect your pets from dental dieses. These include;
- Diet – provide pets with regular access to special dental treats and chews, bones and dental diets.
- Dental water additives.
- Regular brushing with pet toothpastes and tooth brushes.
- Rinsing with special gels.
You can find out more about periodontal disease and how you can prevent them here.
All animals, big and small, should get dental checks!
When considering dental health, it is important to remember that not only cats and dogs are affected. Animals such as horses and rabbits should have regular dentals checks in order to maintain their overall health and prevent the development of other health issues. Contact your local Adelaide vet to find out the best course of action for your pet.
How to Help Your Pet get a Healthy Set
Maintaining your pets’ dental health doesn’t have to be difficult! Annual health checks will indicate any issues that may have occurred, dental or otherwise, and give you a chance to speak to your vet about any concerns.
All through August Pet Doctor is celebrating Pet Dental Health Month by with some exciting discounts and giveaways, including;
- FREE dental examinations
- 30% dental procedures
- 10% dental products
- Show bags and gift giveaways
- Discounts on Hill’s Dental Diets
Contact Pet Doctor today to book your pets’ dental health check.