Your Rottie's dental health

The Facts About Pet Dental Health

Facts & Figures

Tartar and gingivitis are the number one and two disorders seen in dogs and cats, according to a US survey conducted with over 15,000 cats and 31,000 dogs
Dental caries or tooth cavities are quite rare in cats and dogs. Most dental problems are the result of plaque and tartar accumulation
The American Dental Society reports that about 85% of dogs and 75% of cats have teeth and gum problems, including plaque and tartar
Of 10,000 dogs and cats surveyed in the UK, 80% of cats and 65% of dogs over 3 years of age needed immediate dental treatment (Pet Smile Month, 1999)
…But 90% of pet owners don’t look after their pet’s teeth at home (Bellows, Veterinary Forum, 2000)
Dental problems don’t just mean smelly breath – if left without proper care they can potentially become a whole body disease with infection spreading to the kidneys, heart and other organs
Without proper dental care, food particles and bacteria in your pet’s mouth form plaque and tartar, and can lead to problems such as:

Gingivitis – inflammation of the gums. This is reversible and can be treated with thorough cleaning and continued plaque control

Periodontal disease – a bacterial infection which can lead to bleeding gums, bad breath and tooth loss. If the bacteria enter the bloodstream, they can cause serious problems such as infection of and damage to the heart, liver, kidneys and lungs. Periodontal disease is more severe – and the damage may be irreversible – but can be treated with more extensive dental procedures.

Warning Signs Of Periodontal Disease In Your Dog Or Cat

Tartar (a yellow-brown, hard substance) around the gums
Persistent bad breath
Red, swollen or bleeding gums
Difficulty chewing or dropping food
Mouth sensitivity
Pawing at the face or mouth, or rubbing the face along the ground
Excessive drooling
Loose or missing teeth
Loss of appetite
Weight Loss

Pet Dental Health In Three Easy Steps

Dentistry – take your pet to the vet for routine check-ups and cleanings once a year
Daily brushing – use a pet toothbrush and specially formulated pet toothpaste. Introduce tooth-brushing to your puppy as early as possible
Diet – feed a formula with DentalCare to help reduce tartar build-up

Tooth-brushing Top Tips!

You can buy special finger covers that allow you to rub your pet’s teeth – this is often much easier than using a brush
If you find that your pet won’t let you brush his or her teeth, don’t give up! Keep the sessions short and try getting your pet used to the idea in stages
Gradually introduce toothpaste specially formulated for cats and dogs, or dental cleaning solutions, by letting your pet lick the toothpaste or solution from the brush
Brush the toothpaste onto your pet’s front teeth first and let him lick that
Gradually work your way up to a full brushing
If the problem persists with home care, you may need to take your pet to the vet on a regular basis

The “Three Steps” Of Dental Care:

Dentistry – take your pet for routine vet check-ups and dental cleanings
Daily brushing – regular brushing is the most effective method of keeping teeth clean. Try to start at a young age. Use a pet toothbrush and specially formulated pet toothpaste
Diet – use a pet food which helps fight plaque and tartar build-up. Eukanuba with DentalCare for dogs can play an important role in reducing tartar build-up and help give your pet healthier teeth and gums

Did You Know…?

Puppies have 28 “baby” teeth by the time they are four months old?
By about eight months, they have all their adult teeth – 42 in total
Kittens have 26 teeth at four months and 30 when full-grown!

Reference:

1.Johnson RB. “Recent Dental Advances for Companion Animals Through Dietary Means”. Current Perspectives in Canine and Feline Dental Health Management (from the Proceedings of The Iams Company North American Veterinary Conference, Orlando, USA, January 2002).

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