Bad breath in our pets is exactly like it is in humans. Poor oral hygiene and periodontal disease (tartar and gingivitis) generally cause bad breath in pets.
In the “old days,” our dogs and cats often didn’t live long enough to be concerned with the health of their teeth. Now, our dogs and cats are living into their teens and twenties. Imagine what would happen to your teeth if you didn’t brush them for a year. Now imagine what your cat’s or dog’s teeth look like when they haven’t been brushed for 10 years.
What Causes Pets to Have Bad Breath
Plaque and tartar build up on your pet’s teeth as fast as ours. The speed at which things get really bad is largely dependent on genetics and oral health care.
Large dogs such as Labradors and Golden Retrievers have good teeth and chew on bones, sticks, and balls, which aids in removing tartar and massaging gums.
Small dogs such as Chihuahuas and Pomeranians have many oral health problems, including malocclusion (too many teeth and bad arrangement). They can also experience excessive tartar and gingivitis.
Periodontal disease (tartar and gingivitis) is not only responsible for bad breath but also infections, which can affect your pet’s heart, kidneys, liver, and general overall health.
Abscessed teeth and gums also cause tremendous pain, which animals are masters at concealing. My clients often say, “My cat or dog eats and acts fine” in the face of horrible dental disease. This is because animals adapt to painful conditions, and they have no way of letting us know how much pain they are in.
Preventing Bad Breath in Pets
Prevention is always the best option, so please start brushing your pets’ teeth when they are very young and likely to accept it. Toothpaste comes in chicken, fish, and other flavors. Very small, soft toothbrushes are best for cleaning your pet’s teeth. Give your pet treats or praise for cooperation during this process. CET chews are very good for cleaning teeth and gum massage.
Regular dental cleanings are the most important component of good dental care. Now, there are licensed veterinary technicians who can clean your pet’s teeth without anesthesia. If your pet is young and the teeth are healthy or if your pet has a health condition that prohibits anesthesia, this is probably the way to go.
However, dental cleanings under anesthesia are the only option for pets with advanced tartar and gingivitis, mobile teeth, or broken teeth.
Conclusion
Make sure that you take your pet to a veterinarian that has the ability to perform dental x-rays. Proper extractions cannot be performed without the aid of x-rays. Abscessed teeth and deep pockets cannot be treated properly without x-rays and other advanced dental equipment. Ask your veterinarian for a referral to a board-certified veterinary dentist for root canals and other complicated procedures.
