Dogs & Cats Need Dental Care, Too
Imagine if you never brushed your teeth or had them cleaned. Things would eventually start to go very bad inside your mouth: your gums would become inflamed and infected; your teeth would start to rot and decay; and there would likely be significant daily pain from even basic tasks like eating. Bacteria from those rotting teeth could eventually travel into your bloodstream causing other serious health problems as well.
It’s the same scenario for your dog or cat. By the age three, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some evidence of disease of the teeth and gums (called periodontal disease). Periodic dental exams help maintain proper oral hygiene and prevent future problems.
ABOUT OUR PET DENTAL SERVICES
Avenues Pet Clinic offers complete pet oral health services, including:
- Dental exams
- Annual dental cleanings
- Dental X-rays
- Extractions
- Comprehensive pain management to ensure your pet’s comfort during and after the procedure
Following American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines, Avenues Pet Clinic only performs cleanings and dental work on anesthetized pets. In addition, we always run routine blood testing before the procedure to ensure your pet is healthy enough to undergo anesthesia. These steps are meant to ensure your pet’s dental procedure is a safe as possible.
PREVENTATIVE DENTAL CARE
The two best ways to prevent plaque and tartar build up are:
- Feeding a high-quality diet. At Avenues Pet Clinic, we recommend iVet, a premium line of pet food that provides excellent nutrition at an affordable price. Ask us which iVet formula is right for your pet!
- Brushing your pet’s teeth several times per week can help ensure the longevity of your pet's dental procedure and overall health. If you’re interested in learning how to brush your pet's teeth, just ask and our veterinarians will be happy to help you get started. If you have a pet that won’t tolerate brushing, our veterinarians can also recommend products that will help keep your pet’s mouth healthy in between cleanings.
Schedule a Cat or Dog Dental Procedure
FURTHER READING
Dental care for dogs and cats is widely recommended by the veterinary community. Learn more in the helpful links below.
Articles
- Learn about pet dental care from the AVMA.
- Why dental care for pets is important from our friends at Colorado State University.
- 10 facts linking your pet's dental care to their overall health from the AAHA.