Dental care for pets

Doggy-dog: photo by Jon Sullivan 

Whether your pet is large or small, its overall health depends on the state of its teeth. Digestion begins in the mouth, where foods are broken down by chewing. Hard, fibrous foods are useful in keeping the teeth healthy, but a good diet may not be enough. Pet owners have to be alert about dental problems because they are difficult to spot without professional examination. February is the month designated for dental care awareness for pets, so you’ll be hearing a lot about this topic in the coming weeks.

 Brushing your pet’s teeth twice daily with a toothpaste specially designed for animals is strongly advised. If you start when your pet is quite young, there will be less resistance to the procedure. You can use either a toothbrush or a piece of sterile gauze. Ask your vet to demonstrate the proper way to brush so that you do an effective job and avoid causing your pet discomfort. You might also ask about oral hygiene solutions, which are delivered in the animal’s drinking water. Pet owners have to be alert about dental problems because they are often easy to spot without professional examination.

 Veterinarians also advise regular cleanings for our pets to avoid the buildup of tartar and bacteria that can lead to gum disease and tooth loss, and sometimes even to organ damage. Studies by the American Veterinary Dental Society show that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats will develop gingivitis or periodontal disease by the age of three unless they receive appropriate dental care. Writing for Healthy Pet (Winter, 2008), Vickie Byard, CVT, VTS, comments, “Tartar is unsightly and is the original source of infection; however, it is actually the tartar that grows under the gums that causes the most damage to the gum tissue and supporting structures….as with people, professional comprehensive oral health assessment and cleanings are necessary.” Because anesthesia is routinely used during cleanings, consult with your vet about possible side effects before the procedure.

 Holistically speaking, there are further steps you can take to care for your animal’s teeth. There is some evidence that feeding omnivores and carnivores chunks of blanched, tough meat is helpful because the meat acts as a tooth-cleaning agent, although there is the question of harmful bacteria in the meat to consider. (See “Dental Care for Dogs and Cats” by Dr. Susan Wynn in Alt Vet Med.) If you give your pets natural bones to chew, be aware that there is the danger of tooth fracture. You might try out some natural chew bones such as those available at the better pet supply sites.

Owners of dogs and cats are more likely to consult veterinarians than are owners of small animals like rabbits, hamsters or guinea pigs. If you have a small pet at home, check out the link to Doctors Foster and Smith. The online article on dental care for small pets contains information about how these animals use their teeth not just for eating, but for nest-building, carrying food, and defending themselves. The authors recommend particular foods for different small mammals, explaining how species-specific dental anatomy determines the types of foods most digestible and nutritious for the most common types of small house pets. If you are a first-time owner of a small animal, this information will be especially useful.  

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=1236

www.altvetmed.org/articles/dental.html

www.hhnews.com/pets_dental_care.htm

http://www.specialneedspets.org/holistic.htm