It’s time to sit your pet down and have closer look at what’s happening around their chompers.
If their pearly-whites are looking less then sparkling then it’s time for a vet visit.
As part of Pet Dental Month, Animal Welfare League NSW is offering free dental health checks at their Kemps Creek Veterinary Clinic.
If plaque and tartar are left to build up on your pet's teeth, it can lead to some serious issues.
Five common signs your pet needs a dental check include:
- Loss of appetite
- Red marks on pet’s teeth
- Unusually bad breath
- Inflamed gums
- Animals dropping their food when they try to eat
Doctor Simone Maher said dental infections and diseases were common among companion animals simply because it is overlooked by pet-owners.
“Obviously if you did not brush your teeth for 12 months or two years then you have a significant amount of decay and disease in your mouth,” she said.
“We can apply that sort of thinking to our pets. If we are not continually maintaining their dental health, then they can end up with those same problems.”
Dr Maher said similar dental health routines can be applied to both dogs and cats.
“This can include diets and supplementary foods like chew sticks,” she said.
“And if you start early enough, particularly with dogs, you can also use a brush.
“Dental disease is equally common in dogs and cats, however cats are very good at hiding the signs better than dogs.”
According to Dr Maher, many people believe that giving their dog a bone once a week would adequately cater for its dental health.
“This is a common misconception – even if you think you are doing everything, unless you actually get in and examining it is difficult,” she said.
- Details: awlnsw.com.au.
Pet Dental Month offer
Book a free pet dental health check with an AWL NSW vet nurse to qualify for either 15 per cent off dental treatment if required; or 15 per cent off your pets next vaccination. The first 50 people to book their free health check will also receive a dental health sample bag.