Because pet dental problems can be so difficult to identify, by the time you realize something is wrong, it’s likely time to head to the veterinarian. Green Dog Dental is on a mission to help everyone understand the incredible role that dental health plays in overall pet health and pet products for preventative care.
Many Dental Issues Hard to Identify in Cats and Dogs
Both cats and dogs are experts at hiding pain, so you may not initially notice if they are suffering from tooth pain. Many times, owners bring their pets to us only after they notice that their pet’s gums are bleeding, that the animal is refusing to eat, or after they find traces of blood on toys, food and water bowls, etc.
However, there are often earlier signs that something is amiss, and if you are able to identify them early, you can save yourself time, money, and worry, and your dog or cat quite a bit of pain.
Here are a couple of sign that you should watch out for:
- Drooling
- Bad Breath
- Loss of appetite
- Sudden shyness/unwillingness to be petted (especially on the head)
- Visible changes inside the mouth
- Swelling of the mouth and gums
- Ropey or bloody saliva
- Vocalizing while eating
Not Like Human Dentistry
Unlike in human dentistry, which has a variety of complex and extensive procedures aimed at making sure that people are able to retain their teeth, animal dentistry is a little bit more primitive.
Often, there’s very little we can do about cavities and other advanced dental issues other than simply pulling the tooth. But luckily for our feline and canine friends, they won’t miss a tooth in the same way that we would!
Don't Wait, See Your Vet Now
The earlier you bring your pet to the vet, the better chance we have of solving the problem in a simple and cost-effective way, and the less likely it is that your pet has had to endure days, weeks, or even months of discomfort and pain. If you live in Los Angeles, you're lucky! Green Dog Dental is one of the best.
Visit the Green Dog Gazette for more information about bad pet breath and more.