When you want to keep your pet happy and healthy for as long as possible, there are two places to start – good diet and good dental hygiene. Poor oral health in cats and dogs doesn’t just lead to bad breath and toothaches; it can have serious health implications if left unchecked. However, dental care can be tricky and cause anxiety and stress for you and your pet. This is why your pet’s dental care must be a part of your healthcare from compassionate and gentle caregivers like us.
Many pets don’t receive the dental care they need in daily life, so we at Healing Paws Animal Hospital offer complete dental care for your pets, from exams to teeth cleaning to in-house dental surgeries. We are passionate about the care we provide and want to ensure your cats and dogs keep nibbling happily!
When your pet is struggling to eat their food or play with their favorite toy, dental health issues may be the root cause. We provide a full suite of pet dental care and dental services to help your beloved dog or cat in peak health:
Just like you should get your yearly checkup at the dentist, a yearly cleaning and dental checkup should be part of your pet’s annual healthcare plan. This cleaning ensures that we stay ahead of tooth decay and preserve their dental health for years to come. They deserve good dental care!
The foundation of good dental health is dental hygiene practices for your pet. Every pet owner knows how difficult it is to enforce good habits in an unruly pet, so we offer pet teeth cleaning services as part of your annual checkup to help keep your pet in good dental health.
When a tooth is abscessed, or the decay is simply too advanced, we will provide in-house veterinary dental surgery. Removing the offending tooth and treating their oral health with the utmost care. We do our best to help your pet avoid this, but take it seriously when needed.
Your pet can enjoy a full suite of treatment and care from Healing Paws, tailored to be as gentle and kind as your pet deserves. We want to ensure a fear-free environment for you and your furry friend, so we take every step to help your pet feel safe and comfortable throughout their care.
You might wonder if your pet would be fine without dental care – after all, animals are fine without dental care in the wild. But wild animals live far shorter lives, and robust dental care is one reason your pet will live a long and healthy life!
Many medical issues can stem from simple dental hygiene issues. Tartar, broken teeth, gingivitis, bad breath, and abscesses are common throughout pet’s mouths. If these conditions are left untreated, your pet can suffer pain or discomfort. In severe cases, bacteria may spread through their body, affecting their heart, liver, and kidneys. Something as simple as a pet dental cleaning can provide long-term benefits for years!
Several symptoms will tell you that your little buddy is struggling with dental issues:
Issues like these are often caused by, or could quickly lead to, bacteria and infection in the mouth that results from poor dental hygiene. When animals eat, plaque and tartar can build up from natural bacteria in their mouths. This can lead to long-term damage and blemishes, disease, pain, or lost teeth.
While nothing beats professional cleaning, you can take several steps to help your pet’s dental hygiene. Much like you should floss and brush twice a day, your pet should take the time to do some things:
You should brush your dog’s teeth at home at least twice a week. Building this into your schedule can make the process a bonding experience for you and your dog and make it easier for your veterinarian to provide deeper cleaning. Regularly provide them with dental chew toys to help eliminate plaque. Only use toothpaste and dental products approved by the veterinary oral health council, as chemicals in human toothpaste can make your pet ill.
Home cat oral hygiene can be trickier but should be handled similarly to dog oral health. Brushing your cat’s teeth should be done regularly, using appropriate dental hygiene products. Start tooth-brushing early, and provide lots of treats and palatable toothpaste to get your kitten used to this. If your cat isn’t willing to sit still, specially formulated dental-friendly diets can provide much-needed aid to oral health.
Whether treating your cat or dog, you should always remember that animals and humans have very different hygiene needs. What works for your dental health won’t work for them, so you should turn to a professional who cares as much as you do!
If you have concerns about your pet’s oral health, come to us! We have been providing high-quality pet care for years, and our staff of veterinary professionals knows how to provide the care you need and your pet wants.
We understand that most pets dread visiting the vet, especially for teeth cleaning or tooth extraction. This is why we take every step to make your pet’s visit more comfortable, less fearful, and as caring as possible. Schedule your appointment today!