Do you brush your cat’s teeth? … and other wild questions I ask everyday
Most of my clients look at me like I’ve got exactly three heads when I ask them if they brush their cat’s (or dog’s, but especially cat’s) teeth. I know — it seems like a crazy notion, and it is certainly something many pet owners have not considered. It should, however, be an integral part of maintaining your pet’s oral (and therefore overall!) health.
February Pet Dental Health Month.1 In honour of the nearly 85% of dogs and cats over the age of 3 that have some form of periodontal disease,2, 3 I’d like to discuss the pros and cons, as well as the indications and contraindications of brushing.
I know what you’re thinking … because the answer to my question is almost always the same. “When I was a kid, we never brushed our dogs’ teeth and they did just fine.” Well, I’m sorry to report, but your dog was either incredibly lucky OR frankly, never had his or her oral pain addressed. I suspect it was the latter.
You know dog breath? The horrible odour we just assume comes from a dog’s mouth? Turns out … not actually a thing. What you are smelling is a myriad of tartar and bacteria at best … infected teeth at worst.
Both dogs and cats require consistent oral care. That entails both at home and in-clinic therapy when necessary.
AT HOME TOOLS:
– Brushing: Absolutely nothing beats it! Regular (daily!) brushing with a toothbrush and a pet toothpaste (needs to be edible because they inevitably end up eating a lot of it) is hands down the best way to maintain your pets oral health. (More on why you should or shouldn’t do this below!)
– Dental treats*: No matter what product you are going to use, ensure it has a VOHC seal of approval. Products awarded the Veterinary Oral Health Council Seal of Acceptance have proven, in clinical trials, to reduce the severity of periodontal disease in pets. If you aren’t sure if a product is right for your pet, check with your vet.
– Dental diet*: Look for the VOHC seal.
– Water additives: Definitely look for the VOHC seal (because most don’t have it).
*Don’t forget to factor in how many calories these contain.
IN CLINIC:
– The Oral Exam: the initial assessment, in the exam room, with an awake patient. There will be significant limitations here.
1) because it’s impossible to assess below the gum line
2) because it’s impossible to see underneath thick layers of tartar
3) because many patients don’t allow a very thorough oral exam without some sedation
– Complete Oral Health Assessment: starts with a scale and polish exactly the same process as when you go to the dentist. No really. Same equipment, same tools…the same. OK, with one difference: in Canada dental procedures are to be performed under a general anaesthetic (for many good reasons).4
This is where the detailed oral exam is performed, oral cancer screening occurs, and a true understanding of the patient’s level of dental disease is determined.
– Dental Radiographs: for evaluation of the teeth and their surrounding bone
– Extractions: removal of painful, or diseased teeth
– Referral: there are some treatments (such as root canals) that are not commonly performed in general practice that would be referred to a veterinary dentist.
WHEN and WHEN NOT to brush your pet’s teeth:
It is important to remember that brushing is PREVENTATIVE. It does not treat existing disease. So never start a brushing regimen unless you have first discussed it with your vet to see if it is right for your pet. Ideally, brushing should be implemented at a very young age, to both help with the acceptance of it through training, and also to start before dental disease is established.
Never brush your pet’s teeth if there is a risk of injury to you or your pet. This one is particularly important with cats — having 5 sets of weapons and all — the teeth, and 4 paws! Never brush your pet’s teeth if they have advanced dental disease. If you can smell bad breath, and you can see tartar on their teeth, it is likely to be painful if you start brushing. This animal is more likely to benefit from a dental procedure before you start.5
If you start early and carefully, regular tooth brushing can have huge benefits. It, however, will not replace the need for regular veterinary visits and dental procedures, just like brushing your own teeth doesn’t mean you don’t visit the dentist regularly for a cleaning and assessment.
Talk to your vet about an oral healthcare regimen that will work for you and your pet.
Oh, and as promised, a few other crazy questions I utter on a regular basis:
What colour was the poop?
When did it burst?
When did you first notice the odour?
Yep … can’t be squeamish in my profession.
Resources:
1) February is Pet Dental Health Month | OVC Health Sciences Centre (ovchsc.ca)
2) Dental Disease In Cats | VCA Animal Hospitals (vcahospitals.com)
3) Dental Disease In Dogs | VCA Animal Hospitals (vcahospitals.com)
4) CVMA | Documents | Veterinary Dentistry – Position Statement (canadianveterinarians.net)
5) Why brushing your pet’s teeth may be worse than useless. – YouTube