Pet Dental Care

by Loree Walden, Marketing Manager, Yavapai Humane Society

We can’t forget the importance of including dental care for our pets. Pets, just like humans, can suffer from a number of medical issues if left untreated.

Regular dental care including daily brushing and yearly cleaning can help prevent dental problems like gum disease, which is a major problem causing pain, discomfort and infection. If left untreated, it can result in tooth loss and even damage to your pet’s internal organs like the kidneys and heart.

It’s important to start dental care early in your pet’s life. By the time they turn 3, most dogs and cats have some degree of dental disease. Starting early also helps them to get used to dental care and can become a routine part of your day.

There are a number of different products (treats) that help control tarter buildup on your pets’ teeth; also toothbrushes and toothpaste (flavored like beef, fish, peanut butter, or chicken) specifically formulated for pets.

Please consult with your veterinarian for their input on which products will be best for your pet. Human toothpaste is potentially toxic to your pets.

If we take the time for regular dental visits and preventative measures for ourselves, we should do the same for our pets to help avoid infections, illness, pain and expensive treatments — most importantly, to ensure they stay healthy!

We all know how much a toothache hurts us so just imagine how it feels to your furry little friend. Gum disease or an infected tooth can cause chronic pain, loss of appetite or difficulty eating, which can lead to malnutrition, which can cause other medical problems.

Remember, most animals are good at hiding signs of pain, and unfortunately, they can’t verbally tell us what’s bothering them. You know your pets and how they are on a daily basis, so if you notice changes in them like loss of appetite, whimpering, lethargy, pay attention and seek medical attention for them. www.prescotthealthyliving.com/copies

I think the goal for all of us as pet “parents” is to make sure we have our furry companions around for a very long time. Investing in preventative medical and dental care is crucial to helping that happen so we can all live happily ever after together.

With a variety of ideas to stay physically and mentally fit, we explore areas including men’s and women’s health, heart health, nutrition, mental health and more, opening the door to a healthy, robust lifestyle for everyone.

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