Dental Care for Pets: Why It Matters and What to Track

Dental health is whole-body health

Dental disease is extremely common in adult dogs and cats and can cause pain and infection that affects the whole body if left untreated.

The trouble is that pets rarely show obvious signs until the problem is advanced, so prevention and monitoring matter.

Signs worth noting

Keep an eye out for changes and record them for your vet.

• Persistent bad breath
• Red or bleeding gums
• Reluctance to eat hard food or chewing on one side
• Loose, broken, or discoloured teeth
• Pawing at the mouth or drooling

Prevention and professional cleaning

Home care such as tooth brushing, along with the professional dental checks and cleanings your veterinarian recommends, keeps problems small. Track dental visits in your pet's record so you know when the next one is due.