Petra Pet Clinic

It is important to understand that your pets dental needs are much like our own. Your pets food has the same complex carbohydrates, sugars, and dyes that our foods contain. This combined with your pets highly acidic saliva creates a perfect breeding ground for bacteria such as plaque and tartar.

Your pet will develop "plaque" as soon as it eats its first meal! "Plaque" is a soft material that can easily be removed by brushing. In a short period of time (12-24 hours) plaque can become the hard mineralized material "tartar" or "calculus". You cannot remove this second stage of "tartar" or "calculus" with regular brushing at home. That is why it is important to develop a regular home care routine for your pet.

Your pets home care routine can be easy! This can include brushing your pets teeth with a soft bristled toothbrush and pet toothpaste. Your cannot use human paste because the fluoride levels can be too high and make your pet sick. We also recommend specific oral rinses. The rinse does not replace brushing but it compliments it well. Canned or wet foods can accelerate buildup so try to eliminate them from their diet unless they are on a special diet prescribed by their veterinarian.

Our pets can disguise pain and discomfort well, so here are some common signs of dental disease:
- Bad breath - one of the first signs of dental disease
- A yellowish-brown crust of plaque on the teeth near the gumline
- Red and swollen gums
- Pain or bleeding when your pet is eating or gums are touched
- Excessive drooling and dropping of food or swallowing of food without chewing
-Decreased appetite or difficulty eating.
If your pet displays any of these signs, serious dental disease may be present. Please bring any of these signs to the attention of your veterinarian to discuss your pets option for dental cleanings.