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Updated February 23, 2023 - February is National Pet Dental Health Month, and a great time to talk about how pet owners can keep their animal friends smiling from ear to ear!

Despite big strides made in oral health awareness among people, there remain some misconceptions about dental care for pets. Add to this the flood of information available online and it can be tough for pet owners to know what’s best for their cat or dog when it comes to maintaining good oral health.

We talked with Dr. Sandy Manfra Marretta, Professor Emerita at the University of Illinois and board-certified veterinary dentist and surgeon, to answer all your burning questions about pet dental health! First though:

What are the most common dental problems diagnosed in dogs and cats?

The most common dental problems affecting dogs and cats include:

  • Periodontal disease, especially in small-breed dogs and in all breeds as they mature
  • In cats, tooth resorptive lesions are very common
  • Cracked teeth in both dogs and cats, with secondary endodontic disease if the dental pulp is exposed
  • Oral tumors, which affect both cats and dogs

What are the most common signs of dental disease in dogs and cats?

  • A pet suddenly becoming head shy (doesn’t want you to pet them)
  • A pet becoming reluctant to have its mouth looked at or touched
  • Chewing on one side of the mouth or shifting food from one side to the other
  • Blood in saliva, water or the food bowl
  • Odor from the mouth in either a dog or cat is not normal – don’t chalk it up to doggy breath!
  • Excessive drooling or an increase in sneezing or nasal discharge
  • Reclusive behavior or picking up food then running from the food bowl due to pain (more common in cats)
  • No longer interested in hard treats

Lots of older pets have dental problems, and a concern we hear a lot from people is that they’re worried about anesthesia in their elderly pet. What do you say to your clients when they bring this up?

Dr. Manfra Marretta: “I always tell people our anesthetic options for pets are much safer than they were years ago. It’s important to work up a patient with appropriate blood work or other necessary tests ahead of time, but many animals, even with underlying conditions, can undergo anesthesia safely.”

You bring up a good point – how about pets with underlying conditions? Should they even have a dentistry done?

“At the teaching hospital, we saw a lot of pets with terrible dental disease and concurrent underlying conditions like kidney or heart disease. You have to work them up properly, but the reality is that you can’t leave a pet with a horrible mouth and expect their underlying conditions to improve. I understand that people love their pets, and they worry, but they also don’t want their dog or cat to have a poor quality of life. When I look back, there were only a small handful of cases that I thought presented too great a risk to put under anesthesia.”

You said routine oral exams and cleanings are important, but what can owners do to prevent dental disease?

“The gold standard for good dental care in dogs and cats, as in people, is regular teeth brushing. Any owner can learn to do this, but you’ve got to start early in both cats and dogs. It doesn’t mean you can’t start brushing an older pet’s teeth, but it can be harder if you start later in life.

I also encourage people to start getting oral checkups for their pets when they are kittens and puppies. Just like in children, it’s important that teeth are coming in the way they should be. Missing teeth or unerupted teeth can cause problems later if they are not detected early.

There are certain diets that also are helpful in controlling plaque and calculus (those difficult-to-remove crusty deposits) as well as some treats that can help reduce plaque and tartar. They’re not substitutes for routine dental care, but they can help.”

There’s a lot of information online about dental care for cats and dogs. What is the most common misconception you’ve seen or heard from your clients?

“I think the idea that anesthesia is not necessary for a thorough dental evaluation and cleaning is something I hear a lot from clients. Although scaling calculus off the teeth can be cosmetically pleasing, the reality is you simply can’t really get into the area under the gumline and in pockets without general anesthesia. Unfortunately, I’ve seen lots of patients come in to see me with severe dental disease who haven’t had this type of cleaning for years. The owners wonder why their pet’s teeth are falling out when they believe they’ve been providing adequate dental care.”

If you could tell our audience one thing, what would it be?

“Pets need regular professional dental care. A good oral exam should be part of your pet’s yearly check-up along with routine dental cleanings. When animals become geriatric, sometimes we recommend checking their oral health every six months to stay on top of problems.”

What are some resources for pet owners wanting to learn more?

“One terrific resource is the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s website. They publish great reviews on all kinds of dental products as well as tips for owners. Another good resource is the American Veterinary Dental College website. Owners can find information on oral cavity diseases and search for a board-certified dentist in their area if they need expert help.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has a good, basic guide for pet owners, as does the American Animal Hospital Association.”

Morris Animal Foundation encourages cat and dog owners to work closely with their veterinarian. Appropriate dental care is a great, proactive way to improve the well-being of your pet now and through their senior years. Get that brush out and make an appointment today with a veterinarian to get your cat’s or dog’s teeth cleaned. Let’s keep them healthy and smiling!

To learn more about pet health, sign up for Morris Animal Foundation’s monthly email newsletter AnimalNEWS Tips & Tails.

 

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