Show Us Your Pearly Whites! February is Pet Dental Health Month

February is National Pet Dental Health Month and also the month known for love! One way to show your pets love is to be cognizant of their healthcare, and that includes their teeth.

Did you know that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some form of periodontal disease by the age of three? Based on statistics from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), it's true!

There are many things we can do as pet caregivers to ensure that our dog’s teeth and gums are in good health, starting with at-home care:

• Conduct Frequent Brushing (with a toothbrush or finger brush and dog toothpaste, dental wipes, dental spray, etc.)
• Check Teeth, Gums, and Mouth (for growths, broken teeth, discoloration, decay, bleeding gums, swelling, soreness, bad breath)
• Watch for Refusal to Eat (due to dental or mouth pain)
• Provide Chew Toys
• Give Occasional Dental Chew
• Give Healthy Crunchy Treats
• Veterinarian-Approved Diet for Dental Health
• Have Periodic Veterinarian Dental Check-Ups 

Brushing Your Dog's Teeth is Key! 

Brushing your dog’s teeth is one of the best things to do for dental health. There is a great selection of aids to help with home dental care ranging from a toothbrush or a finger brush along with a toothpaste specifically for dogs (or cats), to pet wipes for teeth and sprays.

So, just how often should you brush your dog’s teeth? “At least three times a week” is the recommendation from the AVMA.

 

Affiliate Notice: If you click on an Amazon link 

to a product here in this post, we will receive 

a tiny commission *at no extra cost* to you. We thank you! 

 

Harley getting her teeth brushed!
 

 

There are many different types of toothbrushes out there, and while I used a standard style toothbrush at times, a favorite of mine for my FiveSibes was the finger toothbrush. I liked how I could easily get to their back teeth and "feel" while I was brushing. It is also softer and they accepted it well and really loved getting their teeth brushed!

Click HERE to purchase. 

 

My FiveSibes loved anything mint...here's a tasty dog paste that comes in banana mint, beef, and vanilla ginger.

Click HERE to purchase.

 

 

Dental Chews were periodic treats (not daily) for my FiveSibes. (*Note, some dogs with epilepsy can be triggered by oil of rosemary). I did find daily gave them tummy upset, so they typically ate homemade crunchy treats and frequent brushings. I'm happy to report they all had great teeth! 

 

Click HERE to purchase.
 

I would alternate between these two Dental Bones

 

Click HERE to purchase.

 

 To check if dental aids, treats, or foods are good 

for your dog or cat, first always check with your 

own veterinarian. You can also check out the 

Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) 

list of accepted products for both dogs and cats.

 

 

Your Pet's Oral Health Check-Up is Important

 

According to the AVMA, "Your pet’s teeth should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian for early signs of a problem and to keep your pet’s mouth healthy." If you  notice anything suspicious, such as bad breath, broken teeth, bleeding from gums, soreness or tenderness, growths, etc., always contact your vet right away for a consultation.

Dental Disease Can Lead to Life-Threatening Issues for Your Pet

 

Dental disease, if let go, can lead to your dog having other serious and possibly life-threatening issues involving his/her jaw, heart, kidneys, and more. So how do you know if your pets have dental disease if you already clean and check their teeth and they look good on the surface?

Since a problem could be unseen, the AVMA states, “Most dental disease occurs below the gum line, where you can't see it. Bacteria that you can't see can damage the tissues connecting the teeth and jaw. That's why it's so important to have your veterinarian regularly examine your pet's teeth and perform regular professional dental cleanings.”

 

“Most dental disease occurs below the gum line, where you can't see it. Bacteria that you can't see can damage the tissues connecting the teeth and jaw. That's why it's so important to have your veterinarian regularly examine your pet's teeth….”

~American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

 

What If Your Pet Needs A Cleaning Treatment?

If you pet does require a cleaning procedure by a veterinarian, there are some specific questions the American Veterinarian Dental College (AVDC)recommends pet parents ask prior to the procedure:

• How is my pet monitored under anesthesia? 
• Is the pet intubated and their airway protected from debris?
• Who will be monitoring the anesthesia?
• How often do you perform this procedure?
• What equipment do you have to perform this procedure?
• Does my pet need advanced imaging like intra-oral radiographs or CT? 
• Do you use sterile equipment on each patient?
• Who performs your surgical extractions?
• Are there alternatives and options to treat my pet’s disease or problem?
• Could a root canal be performed to save any fractured teeth?
• What are the risks and complications associated with this dental procedure?
• Who will be with my pet as it recovers from anesthesia?
• Does your facility offer 24-hour care?
• Who do you refer to if my pets needs 24 hour care?

      *Source: AVDA

 

 If your dog has a health issue, such as Epilepsy, 

you will also want to discuss the procedure 

with the vet surgeon, and ask how safe it is for your Epi-dog, and ask what they will do/have medicine to administer if your pet has a seizure prior or after the procedure.

 

 

How to Properly Brush Your Pets' Teeth

Check out the AVMA’s step-by-step video of how to brush your pets’ teeth:

 

"Your pet’s teeth should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian for early signs of a problem and to keep your pet’s mouth healthy."

~American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) 

 

 

What about teeth cleaning by a veterinarian? What does that entail?

 

Once again, check out the AVMA’s video that will answer a lot of these questions: 

 

So, remember, when it comes to any aspect of a pet’s health, prevention is key. So get out those toothbrushes and chew toys, schedule a vet dental check-up, and let your pet’s healthy smile be your loving thanks!

For more information, including visuals, download the AVMA’s Pet Dental Care Brochure. Click on the image below!

 __________________________________________

A version of my story first appeared in 4Knines in February 2021, and has been updated here with new info February 2024.

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (That's me, #TheSibeScribe!)

Dorothy Wills-Raftery (also known as the #FiveSibesMom) is an award-winning photojournalist and author of EPIC Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy; the FiveSibes™ Tales children’s books: What’s Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy and Getting Healthy With Harley: Learning About Health & Fitness; and Buddy, the Christmas Husky~Based On A True Holiday Miracle books (ArcticHouse Publishing), as well as the FiveSibes.com, an online encyclopedia for the Siberian Husky breed and Canine Epilepsy information, as well as her international award-winning FiveSibes blog, based on the lives of her five Siberian Huskies. Her work has also appeared in AmericanPet Magazine, Ruff Drafts, The Sled Dogger, and Hudson Valley Paw Print Magazine. Dorothy is the writer and host of her award-winning "The Sibe Vibe” Dog Works Radio show.

Dorothy is an 15-time Dog Writers of America Association “Excellence” nominee, winning the prestigious Maxwell Medallion in 2022 for this FiveSibes blog & #LiveGibStrong K9 Epilepsy Online Resource Library. Also awarded the Maxwell Medallion in 2019, 2017, and 2016 for her fiction, writing, photography & design. 

 

In 2023, she received Captain William Lewis Judy Award by the Brick American Legion Post 348 for her article "March 13 is K9 Veterans Day: Honoring Our Military Working Dogs" published at 4Knines.com.

 

She was also awarded The Grey Muzzle Award by The Grey Muzzle Organization for "Excellence in writing/media of the plight of at-risk senior dogs" on her show “The Sibe Vibe” broadcasted on Dog Works Radio and iTunes. Her book EPIC Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy received the 2018 Independent Press Award for “Excellence” in the Reference Book category and 2017 NYC Big Book Award for “Excellence” in the Animal/Pet book category. 

 

Dorothy was also named “Best Author” in 2015 & 2016 by Hudson Valley Magazine and all four books named “Best in Print” by AmericanPet Magazine.

 

An official International Purple Day® for Epilepsy Ambassador since 2012 and a volunteer case manager for The Wally Foundation-Canine Epilepsy, Dorothy is the creator of the #FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Awareness Campaign and partnered with Purple Day® Every Day presented by The Anita Kaufmann Foundation for #Paws4Purple Project, both inspired by her own epileptic Husky, Gibson. 

 

You can follow Dorothy and her FiveSibes on Facebook at FiveSibes: Siberian Husky K9 News & Reviews, on Twitter and Instagram (@FiveSibesMom).

 

 Back to our Home Page and Don't Forget to Visit Our Other Pages, including Our #LiveGibStrong On-Line K-9 Epilepsy Resource Page,  About the Siberian Husky Breed, Rescues, Lost & Found, Other K9 Articles by FiveSibesMom, ArcticHouse Gifts & Books Shoppe, and more! Just click on "More" Pages at top of blog.