Dental Health - Part 2
‘HOW DENTAL
HEALTH
AFFECTS YOUR PET!’
Maintaining
healthy teeth and gums is just as important in our pets as
it is in each of us. Periodontal disease is the most common
disease in both dogs and cats, and causes a number of side
effects including decreased activity level, changes in
eating habits, and decreased quality of life.
Your pet’s
teeth are important for eating, grooming, chewing on bones,
and playing with toys. They are his primary tools for all
of these activities. The pain caused by dental disease can
cause changes in these habits. He may be less likely to
chew hard kibble, eat to one side of the mouth, or lose
weight due to decreased appetite. In addition, he may be
less likely to groom and play normally.
We also
commonly see changes in behavior as dental disease
progresses. Unfortunately, dogs and cats are unable to talk
to us and tell us when their mouths are bothering them.
Instead, you may see your pet be less energetic and
enthusiastic about life, or just not seem like himself. In
some cases you can see more significant changes such as
aggression and depression.
As you can see,
there are both physical and behavioral effects from dental
disease. All of these side effects have a negative impact
on your pet’s quality of life. Thankfully, there are many
options available to both treat and prevent dental disease.
We can help you
develop a routine at home to keep your pet’s mouth healthy.
