Have you ever tried to clean your pet’s teeth?

Well, It’s not exactly easy is it! It doesn’t matter whether you’ve got cats, dogs, rabbits or any other type of pet – routing around in their mouth is likely to put your fingers at risk! Maybe that’s why regular pet dental care is sometimes overlooked by owners.

The signs of dental problems are not always apparent, but if pets could talk I’m sure if they had tooth ache it would be the first thing they’d tell us. It can really get our pets down to have sore teeth or gums and there are a few signs you can watch out for:

• Dog breath isn’t ever going to be a new brand of perfume, but some dogs have it worse than others. If your dog (or your cat for that matter) has worse smelling breath than usual,  its probably time for a dental check.
• Yellow or brown teeth, or those which have obvious signs of plaque build up, tend to indicate the need for teeth cleaning. It may be possible to relieve the symptoms with mouth wash or dental chews, or your pet may need some expert dental treatment. Always ask us for advice about dental treatments to make sure your pet gets the best care.
• Lost appetite or weight loss can also be a sign that your pet’s teeth are decayed or painful. Imagine how hard it will be to chew with painful teeth or gums, particularly when eating hard pet foods like kibble.

There are a few things you can do to help keep your pet’s teeth and gums in good condition. The best thing to do is speak to us about the best option for your pet. Mouthwash, dental chews and regular teeth cleaning can all help to avoid dental problems. But, chances are most pets will benefit from some dental treatment at some point in their lives. We probably expect our own teeth to last our lifetime, and we all know that regular dental check ups are vital to achieving that. To help your pet maintain healthy teeth, book a check with Bredy Vets and find out what’s best for your pet.