Even the most devoted pet owners may not realize that proper oral care is as important for pets as it is
for people. Pets need to maintain strong, healthy teeth for more than just eating, grooming, catching a
Frisbee or capturing a catnip mouse. In pets, dental disease can be life threatening. Bacteria from tooth
decay and gum disease can enter your pet’s bloodstream, resulting in infection to the heart, lungs and
other parts of the body.
That’s why we put so much importance on oral care at Pet Doctors of America.
Regular cleaning by our licensed veterinarians is the most effective way to
ensure good dental health. We also offer vaccines that can aid in the
prevention of periodontal disease. There are several things you
can also do at home to assure good oral health in your pets:
- Feed them hard, coarse foods
- Provide rawhide, hard rubber or nylon chew toys
- Brush your pet’s teeth periodically with special enzymatic toothpaste developed for dogs and cats
- Bad breath
- Red or swollen gums
- A yellow-brown crust near the gum line
- Loose or missing teeth
- Discomfort when the mouth is touched
- Decreased appetite due to difficulty chewing