By Alberta Frost

Did you know that two thirds of dog owners neglect their pet’s dental hygiene?  As a result, 80% of dogs have some form of dental disease by age two.  Apparently, cat owners are similarly neglectful as the figure for cats is 70%.  These statistics come from the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation. According to Nationwide Insurance Company, a review of their claims data shows that preventive pet oral care can save you money.  This is, of course, in addition to contributing to your pet’s overall health and quality of life.  I discovered these facts as I was considering whether to schedule a teeth cleaning (and possibly some extractions) for my 11 year old kitty after my veterinarian found tartar on some of his teeth.

Cats and dogs have many of the same dental issues as humans – broken teeth, periodontal disease, abscesses or infection, cysts, tumors, misalignment of the teeth/bite, or broken jaw or palate defects. Also like humans, dental health in pets is a key part of their overall health.  Left unexamined or untreated, it can cause chronic pain and inflammation, lead to serious disease in other parts of the body, namely the kidneys, liver, and heart; and to life threatening conditions like diabetes and strokes.

How do you know if your pet has a dental condition?  According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are a few things to look for.  Bad breath — and no, “doggy breath” is not natural or inevitable.  Other signs are broken/loose teeth; extra or retained baby teeth; teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar; abnormal chewing, drooling or dropping food from the mouth; reduced appetite or refusal to eat; bleeding from the mouth; and/or swelling/pain in areas around the mouth.  If you see any of these conditions, a quick trip to the vet is in order.  Otherwise, make sure that a dental inspection is performed during your pet’s annual checkup.

The most common dental condition for both cats and dogs is periodontitis, tooth infection, cavity and/or an abscess.  For cats, gingivitis and tooth resorption (erosion of the hard tissue beneath the tooth enamel) come next; while for dogs, it is oral trauma and tumors.  Periodontitis starts with gingivitis — plaque that hardens into tartar.  Tartar above the gum line can be easily seen and removed.  However, what might be below the gum line, can only be detected through x-rays and thorough cleaning.  Anesthesia makes it possible to perform this kind of thorough examination (and the treatments beyond cleaning that may result, like extractions or repair) safely and with less pain for the pet.  According to the AAHA, non-anesthetic dentistry is stressful for the animal, unsafe, and ineffective.

No offense to the profession, but most of us don’t really like going to the dentist and we must assume that our pets would feel the same if asked.  Prevention is, therefore, a good strategy for trying to minimize those visits that involve anesthesia, X-rays, etc.  Prevention includes frequent removal of plaque and tartar.  You can use pet dental wipes which are intended to be used on a daily basis.  The other method is tooth brushing, also ideally on a daily basis.  There are a variety of brushes, including finger brushes, so you might have to experiment.  Only use toothpaste that is formulated for pets; do not use human toothpaste as it may contain things that are harmful to your dog or cat.  There are special dental diets and a variety of treats on the market that are intended to promote tooth health and could be a partial substitute for the toothbrush.  But check with your vet first.  Not all products work as advertised.  Look for products that have Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) approval.  Be it a cat or a dog, starting early with your pets when they are young is the best strategy.  Patience, persistence, and experimentation are the other ones. Your vet and/or videos from the internet can provide useful tips.

My 11 year old got his blood work done first to make sure he was free from underlying disease and could handle the anesthesia. He came through with flying colors and forgave me as soon as I was able to give him his first meal.   I also have a 15 year old cat and have been deferring the thorough examine because of his age.  Now I think it will be off to the kitty dentist for me again as, according to a VCA Hospital web site, it is rare that you and your vet will find that the risks of anesthesia outweigh the benefits of dental procedures. I will be making that calculus soon. Wish me (and my kitty) luck!

About the Author: Alberta Frost is a volunteer with King Street Cats and the guardian of two handsome, aging cats.

Resources:

https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/pet-dental-care

https://www.aaha.org/your-pet/pet-owner-education/aaha-guidelines-for-pet-owners/dental-care