Your Pet’s Tooth Fairy called!

Your pet’s Tooth Fairy loves your pet as much as you do. Well, they like teeth just a little more…but the point is, they have a few concerns.

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Pet fairies are finally speaking out about pet dental issues.

Unlike humans, pets can’t let you know when they are having tooth pain.  Eventually, you may notice decreased eating and weight loss, or other related symptoms, but it’s usually too late to reverse the damage.  Your furry kids need proactive care to prevent unnecessary suffering, even if their teeth look healthy.

We like to think of pet teeth as little icebergs; they can look white and strong on the outside, but below the surface there can be a lot more to the story.  In fact, by two years of age, as much as 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some form of periodontal disease, an infection or inflammation below the surface. If untreated, this can contribute to cardiopulmonary diseases, and affect other organs like your dog’s heart, liver, and kidneys.

We know, pretty crazy! Not to worry, we are here to help.

Here are a few tips to keep those pearly whites up to the tooth fairy’s standards:

• Issues below the surface are caused by tartar and plaque buildup.  Start by focusing on increasing the brushings.  If you currently do it zero times/week--increase to 1-2 times/week! If you’re doing it several times/week, try to add one more day to the schedule.
• Ask your veterinarian about the best toothpaste to use for your pet—never use human toothpaste, as it may contain ingredients that are toxic to animals.
• Schedule dental wellness checks at least once a year, and note: not all dental cleanings are created equally! Pet Dental Cleanings should always include x-rays. If they don’t, pet fairies warn, it’s like only reading the cover of a book.  While your pet is anesthetized and comfortable, you should get the whole picture.
• Come to appointments with questions! What treats do they recommend for dental health, how often should you be brushing their teeth, what to look for as red flags, etc. 
• Be realistic. Accept that you aren’t going to maintain your pet’s dental habits perfectly and commit to annual dental cleanings with your veterinarian.

At Sploot, our high standard of care insists on dental radiographs for all dental cleanings.  We don’t want to gamble with your pet’s health! In addition, we always have a trained veterinary professional who is entirely focused on monitoring and recording your pet’s vital signs during the procedure. Join us (and the pet fairies!) on our mission to give your beloved pet the longest, healthiest life possible!