Pet dental health is often overlooked because dogs, cats and other animals tend to conceal painful conditions, especially those inside their mouth. Unless dog and cat owners take their pets to their Rancho Cucamonga veterinarian for regular pet teeth cleanings, they won’t know if their pet is experiencing oral diseases detrimental to the animal’s overall health and well-being.
Signs Your Pet May Need Pet Dental Care
One of the first signs of gum and dental disease in pets is chronic halitosis, or bad breath. While it’s common for dogs and cats to have “pet food” breath after eating, they should not have bad breath continuously or breath that smells extremely foul. In addition, if you notice your pet chewing his food less forcefully, making an odd noise while chewing or shaking his head frequently (especially with dogs), you should seek pet dental treatment by a vet in Rancho Cucamonga. Saliva mixed with blood is another symptom of possible gum disease, tooth decay or infected abscesses.
Pet dentists caution pet owners about neglecting their pet’s oral health. Not only will dental pain and loose teeth prevent your pet from receiving proper nutrition but may also lead to systemic infection when oral bacteria enter the bloodstream.
How to Perform Pet Teeth Cleanings at Home
In between visits to your vet in Rancho Cucamonga, you can help keep your pet’s teeth clean, his gums healthy and his breath smelling fresh by brushing your pet’s teeth daily. It only takes one or two days for bacteria to accumulate on feline or canine teeth and harden into tartar.
We recommend using C.E.T Poultry-Flavored toothpaste to brush your pet’s teeth and either a fingerbrush, pet toothbrush or dental pad for cleaning teeth and gums. If you’re not sure how to begin brushing your pet’s teeth at home, we will be happy to show you how it is done. Read more about it here.
Call Alta Rancho Pet & Bird Hospital today to schedule a complete dental cleaning and examination with a veterinarian in Rancho Cucamonga: (909) 980-3575