Does your pet need a breath of fresh air?
One of the most common complaints from pet owners is the smell of their pet’s breath.
The most common reason for bad breath (halitosis) in dogs and cats is the dental disease which affects 80 per cent of pets by just 3 years of age.
This is hardly surprising considering our pets don’t brush their own teeth!
Without regular brushing, residual food and bacteria can form a build-up of tartar on the teeth.
Over time this tartar then leads to infection, inflammation and bleeding of the gums (gingivitis) and breakdown of the tooth’s ligamentous and bony attachments in the jaw (periodontal disease) via severe bacterial infection.
Both gingivitis and periodontal disease are painful conditions that lead to loss of teeth and poor quality of life.
Good oral cavity health, just like in humans, is paramount to general wellbeing and longevity in animals.
There are many preventable diseases that can be linked to poor dental hygiene such as heart and kidney disease.
Just like with people, prevention is better than cure, regular check-ups, special dental health diets and dental treats all help to reduce the incidence of dental disease.
The signs of dental disease in dogs and cats can be subtle. Bad breath is the most common sign, dogs and cats may also paw at their mouth, chatter their teeth, drool and dribble, have difficulty eating and may have a preference for softer foods.
All pets need to have their teeth checked regularly (just like people!). Contact your local Sydney Animal Hospitals Kellyville 8883 0533 or Norwest 8883 0411 to book your dog’s free dental check-up by the vet nurse during July and August. www.sydneyanimalhospitals.com.au
