Bad breath (halitosis), is a sign of periodontal disease or can be due to systemic disease. Management of pet’s oral health is still not practiced by some pet parent’s because they believe in some common myths. Let’s talk about these myths about pet’s oral health.

  1. Pet’s don’t need dental care because they did not get dental care in the wild.
    This is true that they did not get dental care in the wild; however, they get dental disease and endure painful oral infections and tooth loss. Without vital teeth, they are not able to hunt and eat leading to death. It is not that they do not need dental care, it is not available to them. As pet parents, we can help support our pet’s oral health so they can live healthier and longer lives.
  2. Pets are supposed to have bad breath because they eat smelly things and lick their bottom. This is false. They may have smelly breath while they are eating or licking undesirable things, but the bad breath should not be constant. Just like people, constant halitosis is often a sign of periodontal disease.
  3. Cats don’t need dental cleanings. Their breath stinks because their food smells bad. This is false. Cat food may have a strong smell, but this should not be confused with halitosis. If your cat has constant foul breath, they likely have an infection in the mouth causing halitosis. Cats need regular dental cleaning and oral care just like dogs.
  4. Pets have self-cleaning mouths – they chew on bones and sticks so they don’t need dental care. This is false. A pets mouth just like people has an accumulation of tartar leading to gingivitis and periodontal disease. Chewing may help but does not take the place of a thorough dental cleaning semi-annually to annually. In between dental cleanings, brushing your pet’s teeth, dental chews, dental diets, and oral rinses help maintain periodontal health.
  5. My pet had a dental cleaning once before, so he does not need another one. This is false. Cleaning your pet’s teeth one time does not protect your pet’s teeth for a lifetime. Just like people, your teeth will get dirty again. You will need to look in your pet’s mouth and look for evidence of tartar build up, red and inflamed gums, and of course bad breath. If you see evidence of dental disease, contact your veterinarian for a complete oral exam.
  6. My pet has rotten teeth and halitosis, but still eats great and does not act like he or she is in pain so does not need a dental cleaning. This is false. If your pet has rotting teeth, it is painful just as you would be if you had bad teeth. Although your pet may not show outward sign of pain, they may be enduring pain. Dental infections untreated can lead to heart, liver and kidney disease. Don’t wait until the pain is so severe that your pet cannot eat. Make an appointment with your family veterinarian for a complete oral check-up.

Good oral health is essential to your pet’s overall health and happiness. The first step in detecting dental disease is halitosis. If you smell a foul odor from your pet’s mouth, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. As always, it is best practice to prevent dental disease with regular oral care. Please schedule an appointment with your family veterinarian for a complete oral checkup.

At Vetsavers Pet Hospital we make it easy for you to take the best care of your pet. Dental cleaning is $199 and a preoperative blood test is just $50 for pets 5 years and older. Let’s start the new year with great dental hygiene!