As cat and dog owners, we all want to make sure our furry friends are healthy and feeling their best, but did you know your pet’s dental care plays a major role in their overall health? Just like managing your own oral health is a part of your everyday wellness routine, your pet’s oral hygiene needs to be managed to help avoid oral health issues, diseases, and discomfort.
At Oasis Animal Hospital, we believe comprehensive pet dentistry should be a regular and affordable part of every cat and dog’s wellness plan. That all starts with understanding the importance of your pet’s oral health and what you can do to keep your furry friends (and their teeth) healthy.
That’s why we’ve put together this helpful list of 5 things you should know about dental care for cats and dogs. Inside, we’ll answer questions like:
- Why is dental care for cats and dogs important?
- What are the signs of dental disease in pets?
- How can I help prevent oral health issues in my pets?
- Any tips for brushing my pet’s teeth?
- What can I expect from a dental appointment for my pet?
So, without further ado, let’s jump into the list!
1. The importance of dental care for cats and dogs
Just like with people, routine dental cleanings and oral hygiene are critical to your pet’s well-being. Dental disease in pets is linked to a number of systemic health issues, including serious heart and kidney illnesses — and that’s not to mention the discomfort and pain that can be caused by damaged teeth or gingivitis.
Dental disease can significantly impact your pet’s quality of life and requires specialized treatment to correct.
Proper preventive health care is one of the best ways to ensure your pet lives a happy, healthy life. Their oral health is a key component of their overall well-being, and just like humans, pets can suffer significant discomfort from untreated dental issues. To halt dental problems before they begin, be sure to schedule regular dental checkups with your vet and make brushing your pet’s teeth a regular part of your routine.
2. Signs of dental disease in pets
Mild signs of dental disease in cats and dogs include bleeding gums, bad breath, or loose teeth. These signs typically develop slowly, so you may not notice them until they are advanced or your pet begins exhibiting signs of discomfort. Some clear signs of oral health issues include:
- Excessive tartar buildup
- Persistent bad breath
- Broken, chipped, or splintered teeth
Oftentimes, we notice that our pets are sick because they aren’t behaving normally. Behavioral symptoms of dental disease in cats and dogs include:
- Changes in appetite
- Inability to chew properly
- Difficulty coordinating teeth and mouth movements
If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your vet immediately for an exam and treatment recommendations. After a dental exam, your vet will recommend the necessary procedures to restore your pet’s oral health. Your cat or dog’s treatment plan may include:
- Deep cleaning
- Advanced at-home hygiene steps
- Dental fillings to treat cavities
- Extractions to address advanced dental decay
3. Preventative dentistry + home care for pets
You can improve and maintain your pet’s dental health with regular brushing. If possible, it’s a good idea to brush your pet’s teeth at least once per day.
Regularly brushing your cat or dog’s teeth can help you avoid common oral health issues like:
- Tooth decay
- Periodontal disease
- Gingivitis
You can pick up a pet toothbrush at the vet’s office or buy one at your favorite pet supply store. While it may take some time for both you and your pet to adjust to regular brushing, as time goes on, it will become a regular part of your routine.
4. Tips for brushing your pet’s teeth
Brushing your pet’s teeth will go more smoothly with these essential tips. First, ensure that you use a toothpaste formulated specifically for pets and ensure the toothbrush is soft. Then use the toothbrush to rub the teeth gently. If your pet seems uncomfortable or resists, take a small break and then try again.
Once your pet is comfortable with you brushing their teeth, you can move on to the gums. Hold your pet’s mouth closed and gently brush the gums and the teeth that are visible around the gumline.
5. What to expect from dental appointments for pets
First off, if it’s been a while since your pet’s last routine vet appointment or they’ve never had an oral health exam, you should schedule a dental checkup with your veterinarian.
Here’s a general overview of what you can expect from a routine dental visit for your pet.
- Your vet will perform an oral health exam and clean your pet’s teeth
- They may also order dental x-rays to get a more detailed look at your pet’s teeth, gums, and jaw bones
- Most pet dentistry is performed under anesthesia to make the procedure as comfortable and relaxing as possible for your pet
- After the appointment, your vet will provide details about the procedure and any treatment plans required
Since every veterinarian is different, it’s tough to provide much more detail about things like processes, procedures, and prices. That said, we can dig a bit deeper by taking a look at our own pet dental care at Oasis.
Dog and cat dental care at Oasis Animal Hospital
As we mentioned before, our team believes routine dental cleanings are critical to your pet’s overall health. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to make pet dentistry more accessible for everyone.
At Oasis Animal Hospital, all dog and cat dental cleanings for current and new patients are just $270.
A routine dental exam and cleaning at Oasis includes:
- Thorough examination of your pet and their mouth performed by doctors and licensed technicians
- Comprehensive oral x-rays
- Safely monitored general anesthesia with a catheter, fluids, and pre-op blood work
Our team does require a wellness visit for any pets that are not currently patients at Oasis Animal Hospital, but the fee for this exam is waived when scheduled along with a dental care appointment. Up-to-date vaccines and heartworm testing is required, but records can be provided by your family veterinarian or directly by the owner prior to the day of the cleaning.
After the cleaning, our doctors and licensed nurses will provide a full treatment plan for your dog or cat and discuss any surgeries that may be necessary, such as extractions or gingival repair.
Since we believe in comprehensive dentistry where our clients are fully informed about their pet’s oral health plan, we do not provide same-day extractions or other oral surgery. Our goal is to ensure pet owners have the knowledge and understanding they need to make the right decisions for their pets.
And that’s that!
We hope you found this list helpful. Oral health is critically important to the overall health of every cat and dog. Our hope is that by providing this kind of helpful information, we can ensure that every furry family member receives the kind of dental care they need (and deserve) to lead a full, happy, and healthy life.
To learn more about Oasis Animal Hospital or our dental care services, get in touch with our team or schedule an appointment today.