Yes, you must go out and buy a toothbrush for your dog or cat. If you have witnessed bad breath, what you think looks like plaque, gingivitis, or swollen gums – your dog may need a proper teeth cleaning and oral examination by a vet. The bottom line is dental disease can lead to a serious illness in the kidneys, liver and elsewhere.

Brushing is the best way to remove plaque from your pet’s teeth. Daily brushing is most beneficial but brushing two to three times a week is acceptable if your schedule can’t accommodate daily brushing. If you’re lucky enough (or unlucky, I have had an opportunity to observe dental cleanings at my vet) to actually see a dog with dental disease you’d run to your vet to make sure you’re brushing as often as possible with the right tools. NOTE – do NOT use human toothpaste. You’ll be able to find special toothpaste for your dogs at the vet.

In the spirit of Adopt-A-Dog month, make sure a dental check-up is on the list especially if you adopted an older dog. Some people forgot that this is equally as important as vaccinations and if your vet offers wellness exams (see Frontier Vet Hospital’s wellness plan option) then an oral examination will be part of the routine exam. Frontier Vet Hospital in Hillsboro recently offered a workshop on dental health for pet parents and the community led by Dr. Hardesty. To contact them for more information or upcoming workshops – visit their site.

Some excellent resources I’ve found include: an article on About.com and Frontier Vet Hospital has an online tutorial that discusses the importance of dental care for pets. Check these out and look inside your dog’s (or cat’s…) mouth TODAY.

Dog & cat kisses – CC

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