Looking after your pet's teeth and gums

Caring for your dog’s and cat’s teeth is a very important part of maintaining their overall well being. There are three reasons why proper dental care deserves more emphasis these days:

1. Our pets are living longer

Thanks to advances that have been made in veterinary medicine and the increased public awareness of how to look after their pets properly, our dogs and cats are now living longer. Hence it is important that their teeth last a long time too.

2. Hereditary traits

Over many years our dogs and cats have been selectively bred to achieve the certain distinct characteristics that we know and love. However, as a result, some of our furry friends’ mouths have become quite overcrowded and malaligned which can predispose to dental disease.

3. The hunter no more

Our canine and feline companions, large and small, had ancestors who resembled and behaved like wolves and lions – catching and eating their food- fur, bones and all – which provided excellent cleaning actions for teeth.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease, or periodontal disease is caused by an infection called plaque. Plaque is made up of food particles, saliva and bacteria. It sticks to the tooth surface and if not removed will calcify into tartar (or calculus).

This takes place above and below the gum line and over time can lead to the destruction of the supportive tissues and jawbone, resulting in bad breath and eventual loss of teeth.

How do I know if my pet has gum disease?

More than 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over three years old have some form of periodontal disease. There are various signs you can look out for such as:-

Bad breath
Discoloured teeth
Loose teeth
Pawing at the mouth
Receding gums
Facial swelling
Excessive drooling, sometimes blood stained inflamed gums
Dropping of food from the mouth when eating, or reluctant to chew or eat at all, especially hard food
Pain when handled around the head
Behavioural changes (e.g. lethargy, increased aggression)

Visit this link and learn how you can examine your pet's teeth

How do I prevent gum disease?

There are a number of things you can do at home to prevent gum disease as follows:-

Feeding raw bones

Most dogs will respond well to the inclusion of large, raw marrowbones in their diet. On the other hand cats prefer raw chicken wings. Here's some tips on feeding bones:-

Allow your pet to chew on a bone not through it.
Dispose of chewed bones promptly.
Bones should always be bigger than a dog's head so they cannot be swallowed.
Whole bones are the safest. If a bone has been pre-cut, remove any fattening bone marrow.
Ideally bone chewing should be started as kittens or puppies however can be carefully introduced later in life.

Bones are not suitable for all cats and dogs as they can cause vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea and pancreatitis. If bones are not appropriate, consider the following options to keep your pet's teeth clean and healthy.

Dental diets

Hills t/d is a dry food available for both cats and dogs which is designed to keep your pet's teeth clean and provide a completely balanced diet. Each biscuit has a special fibre matrix which aids in the breakdown of plaque. The kibble is also larger than usual and is specifically designed to encourage and stimulate chewing. The proportion of t/d used for your pet's diet will vary according to the severity and persistence of their dental problems. Mixing t/d with other biscuits or food will reduce its effectiveness so for best results feed on a daily basis as a sole diet or at the end of each meal.

Treats and chews

Large hard products such as pig's ears, noses or trotters, rawhide bones and Dentabones encourage pets to chew. The chewing action aids in the removal of plaque via physical rubbing and the spread of protective saliva. Feed treats such as Dentabones and pig's ears once or twice a week, and Dentastix once a day.

Dental toys

There are some toys available which are great at encouraging dogs to chew. Some of these toys include the Kong and Gumabone. Toys are a useful addition to a dental hygiene program, however they should not be relied on solely.

Brushing your pet's teeth

Daily brushing is often referred to as the ‘gold standard' in home dental care as it will help control plaque build up and prevent periodontal disease. Click here for instructions and information on brushing your pet's teeth.

Veterinary dental treatments

In the majority of pet's lives, there comes a time when their teeth may require veterinary treatment over and above their regular examinations. A dental treatment involves a general anaesthetic and a full dental examination, including cleaning and scaling, both ultrasonically and by hand, and then finishing with a polish. A very similar procedure used by your own dentist.

What should I do if I suspect my pet has gum disease?

If you think your pet is showing any signs of gum disease it is important that treatment is started immediately before irreversible damage occurs. Please contact one of our healthcare team members immediately to make an appointment with your veterinarian for a dental check-up.

Depending on the condition of your pet's teeth and gums, we may conduct a dental treatment as described above or it may be necessary to remove teeth that are fractured or loose. These procedures will be conducted under a general anaesthetic and in certain cases will be followed by treatment with antibiotics to prevent infection of irritated gums.

What should I do after my pet has had his/her teeth cleaned?

If your pet does have veterinary dental treatment it is important to then provide good daily homecare as described overleaf.

Finally, make sure you obtain regular check-ups so your veterinarian can detect any cracks, chips, holes, loose teeth, gum ulcers, growths or infections.