Q & A Dental Care: Dogs & Cats

Oral health is important to your pet’s overall health. While not having to deal with bad breath is one of the biggest perks of providing good dental care for your pet, there are additional health benefits to helping your four-legged friend sport sparkling fresh breath. Like many Katy pet parents, you may have questions about dog & cat dental care. Here are the most frequently asked questions we hear at Katy Area Veterinary Medical Group.

Answers to Commonly Asked Pet Dental Questions

Q: Are Bad Teeth and Gums the Cause of My Pet’s Bad Breath?

A: Most likely, yes. However, if your pet has bad breath, it is important to schedule a visit to the veterinarian. While bad breath is usually caused by oral health issues, in some rare cases, diseases or other factors such as diabetes, oral cancer, kidney failure, facial skin, nasal infections, or the ingestion of feces can be the cause.

Q: What Happens If I Don’t Clean My Pet’s Teeth? 

A: Tartar and plaque both cause damage to teeth and gums, and can result in inflamed gums. After a time, the gums separate from the teeth, causing pockets that fill with bacteria, tartar, and plaque, and eventually result in tooth and bone loss.

Q: Don’t Infected Teeth and Gums Only Affect the Mouth?

No, poor oral hygiene in dogs & cats can affect the whole body. Bacteria from infected gum tissue can enter the bloodstream and major body organs such as the kidneys, lungs, liver, and heart. In fact, after your veterinarian cleans your pet’s teeth they’ll prescribe an antibiotic to prevent the bacteria from spreading to the bloodstream.

Q: Isn’t Dental Disease an “Old Pet” Issue? 

A: No. While senior pets can certainly suffer from oral health issues, dental disease can affect pets of any age, depending on factors such as diet and dental anatomy.

Q: My Pet Doesn’t Seem to Be in Pain. Should I Still Get Their Teeth Checked? 

A: Many pets do not vocalize pain like humans do. However, dogs & cats feel periodontal pain just like we do. Obvious signs of dental pain include crying out, drooling, chattering teeth while grooming or eating, and refusal to eat.

Schedule a Pet Checkup at Katy Area Veterinary Medical Group

Do you still have questions about your pet’s oral health? We have answers! Call Katy Area Veterinary Medical Group today to schedule an examination.