One of the most common things that pet owners overlook is their pets’ dental care. This is a real problem because oral health affects your pets’ quality of life and is a risk factor for all sorts of diseases. If you’re not already brushing your pets’ teeth and taking measures to ensure their overall oral health, now is the time to make changes. Take a look at these four reasons why dental care for pets is so important.
Lethargic Behavior Because of Toothache
Image via Flickr by Au Kirk
Toothaches are very painful for both humans and pets. When pets get a toothache, they don’t want to play or do anything but lay down. This lethargic behavior is sad and there is very little you can do about it. Pets may even hide or become mean. If you notice this sort of behavior in your pets, it’s important to take them to a vet or pet dental specialist to get attention right away. You don’t want your pets to suffer. You need to brush your pets’ teeth every day to prevent toothaches.
Poor Nutrition Because of Lack of Teeth
Poor dental care can also lead to loss of teeth, which makes it very difficult to eat. As your pets’ teeth become infected and decayed, chewing food becomes too painful. Many pet owners report that they must adjust their pets’ diet to accommodate the loss of teeth. This results in poor nutrition. Some pets even lose a lot of weight because they find it too painful to eat. This isn’t just a problem for older pets, either. Poor dental care can lead to loss of teeth in young pets who haven’t reached adult size.
Premature Death Because of Oral Diseases
Many pet owners aren’t aware that oral diseases can spread to other parts of the body. As infections in the mouth fester, they can get into the blood stream and cause sepsis and other serious conditions. The kidneys, heart, and other major organs are at risk. Many of these serious health conditions lead to premature death. The sad part is that oral diseases are preventable, but many pet owners are doing nothing. Kuddly.co reports that 1 in 3 pet’s quality of life is compromised due to dental diseases.
Bad Breath Because of Plaque and Buildup
If you can smell your pets’ breath from across the room, there is a major problem. Brushing your pets’ teeth everyday can help this issue. However, it’s also important to get your pets’ teeth professionally cleaned every six months because plaque and tartar can form below the gum line and cause periodontal disease. This needs to be addressed by a pet dental professional.
All pets deserve proper care. It’s not enough to provide food and shelter; you must lookout for your pets’ overall health by taking care of their teeth and taking your pets in for regular checkups with a vet. Kuddly.co is an app that can help you find qualified vets that you can talk to live about issues your pets may be having. Don’t wait until there is a major problem. Instead, focus on preventative care.
