Most pet parents do as much for their pet as they possibly can. They buy educational toys, stock up on healthy pet foods, share fun outings, and even arrange visits to the day spa. With such a commitment to Fido and Fluffy, why do so many pet parents fall short in one important area of pet health, dental health? Naturally, these people want to do well in caring for their fur babies, but dental health for animals, particularly cats and dogs, is fraught with misconceptions and misinformation. The abundance of incorrect ideas leads to honest mistakes by pet owners. Here are a few typical misunderstandings and mistakes that pet parents make regularly.
NEGLECTING A PET’S DENTAL HEALTH-
Somewhere and somehow the misconception that dogs and cats do not need any dental care became a part of mainstream thinking. Fortunately, that error is losing traction in today’s world. However, there are still many people who visit animal dental care forest hill md who believe that pet’s teeth are self-maintaining. This idea is entirely incorrect.
Cats and dogs are subject to some of the same dental maladies as humans. It is quite common to hear about dogs or cats with some type of dental condition. Our pets suffer from cavities, misaligned teeth, periodontal disease, and a host of other dental issues which plague their human family members.
NOT BRUSHING THEIR PET’S TEETH-
Many people believe that it will be impossible to brush their dog or cat’s teeth, and so they never try. It is true that some pets just will not abide attempted tooth brushing. The publication Vet Street offers a guide outlining how to brush your furry friend’s teeth.
Start the process when your pet is in a relaxed mood, and when you are unhurried. Believe it or not, some animals and their humans enjoy dental hygiene as a one on one bonding experience. At the very least, your pet should learn to tolerate the event.
• Begin by wrapping a bit of soft gauze around your index finger and carefully rub the gauze on your pet’s teeth. This action will help them to become familiar with the feel of brushing.
• Once the gauze is tolerable, use a lightly dampened pet toothbrush with a small amount of toothpaste designed for pets and gently rub it as close to the gum line as possible. Remember, do not use a paste made for humans.
• Try to gradually increase the time spent brushing to 30 seconds for each side and the front teeth.
IGNORING BAD BREATH-
Many pet parents accept bad breath as a regular part of life with Fido or Fluffy. However, the American Veterinary Medical Association explains that bad breath can be a sign of tooth decay or periodontal disease. If left untreated these can cause pain for your pet and potentially can lead to systemic infections.
Dental health is a crucial part of your pet’s well-being. Our pets give us so much devotion and companionship. The least we can do in return is to be sure they are in good health, including their teeth.