Don’t Forget About Your Pet’s Teeth!
Over 60% of American households have a furry friend at their home. We all love our pets and want them to live their best life possible. Just like us, they need a high-quality diet, plenty of good exercise, and routine vet visits to keep them healthy. During these vet visits, the vet will check their dental health to make sure their teeth are in tip-top shape. In between visits, it is important to ensure you are doing the right things to keep up your pet’s dental health. Here are five things you should think about to help ensure your pet’s teeth are healthy.
Importance of diet
Dogs and cats are susceptible to cavities too so do not feed them too many sweet-filled treats. If you have a hamster, make sure they are eating the right foods that can file their continuously growing teeth. If their teeth aren’t properly filed down, it can lead to mouth injuries and they won’t be able to eat properly.
Not all toys are safe!
We love spoiling our pets but it’s important to only purchase toys approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). Toys that are too hard or break easily can be harmful to your pet’s teeth and cause fractures. We recommend avoiding toys like antlers, real or synthetic bones, and raw hides.
Brush those canines!
If you have a dog or cat, brushing their teeth is a must! It may take some time for them to get used to it so pair it with another activity you normally do with your pet. Always use pet-safe toothpaste (not human toothpaste which is not animal-safe)
Don’t skip vet visits!
Your pet should have a yearly oral evaluation. During the visit, the vet will check for obvious issues like fractures, gum disease, or plaque build-up. If needed, the vet may use sedation to complete other assessments like x-rays, gum measurements, and screenings for oral cancer. Vets also offer yearly dental cleanings to remove tartar and plaque build-up!
Get pet insurance
Just like health or dental insurance, pet insurance provides discounted services and treatments. Some may even cover yearly dental cleanings. Compare different options and select the one that you think is best for you and your furry friend.
We schedule routine dental appointments for ourselves, but we must remember to establish routine dental care for our pets as well. While we can try to do as much online research to care for their oral health, we must remember that they are probably in better hands with a vet. If you have any questions about your pet’s oral health, speak with your vet!
