Good dental health is SO important to your pet’s overall wellness. Drs. Lambert & Blakeslee want to ensure you have all of the information YOU need to take care of your pet’s teeth and mouth.
1.) By age 3, 70% of cats & 80% of dogs have some form of periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease means it is a disease that affects teeth & their surrounding structures, such as the gums. A dog has 42 teeth, compared to a human’s 32. There’s a lot more room for disease in there!
(Source: American Veterinary Dentistry College.)
2.) Bad breath IS NOT normal for pets.
Signs of periodontal disease can include:
- Bad breath
- Difficulty chewing
- Oral discomfort
- Blood-tinged drool.
3.) Nasty bacteria is causes most problems in pet’s mouths!
When bacteria builds up in your pet’s mouth, it can create plaque and tartar, plus it can affect the gums.
Practicing PREVENTION is key. There are a variety of products, including toothpaste, chews, rinses, & water additives, that you can use to prevent bacteria from accumulating.
4.) Brushing is best.
Brushing your pet’s teeth with a pet-safe toothpaste is best. (Remember – human toothpaste contains higher levels of Xylitol, which can be toxic to pets).
However, we know that getting them adjusted to tooth brushing can be tricky at first. The CET pet toothpaste we carry can actually help fight bacteria if you just get it on your pet’s teeth. From there, you can work your way up to brushing.
Be sure to ask the Quinebaug Valley Veterinary Hospital staff for more tips on brushing your pet’s teeth.
5.) Dental health products are buy one get one HALF off during February!
Besides toothpaste, there are multiple products you can use to control that nasty bacteria in your pet’s mouth.
During February, the following products are BUY ONE GET ONE HALF OFF at our practice:
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- CET Dental Health Chews
- CET Water additive
- CET Oral Health Rinse
