{"id":37,"date":"2023-06-06T13:38:51","date_gmt":"2023-06-06T17:38:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arkanimalhospital.net\/blog\/?p=37"},"modified":"2023-06-07T08:26:41","modified_gmt":"2023-06-07T12:26:41","slug":"the-role-of-dental-care-in-your-pets-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arkanimalhospital.net\/blog\/the-role-of-dental-care-in-your-pets-health\/","title":{"rendered":"The Role of Dental Care in Your Pet’s Health"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Pet dental care does a lot more than help your furry friend enjoy sparkling whites. The majority of dogs and cats over about three years of age live with dental disease. Left untreated, gum disease in dogs and cats can lead to complications elsewhere in your pet\u2019s body. It can contribute to changes in your pet\u2019s kidneys, heart, and liver. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The best way to avoid these issues<\/a> is to make sure your pet gets the dental care she needs. But even if you haven\u2019t been able to provide preventive dental care for your pet until now, our caring team at Ark Animal Hospital<\/a> is here to help. We provide pet dental care for dogs and cats of all ages and stages of gum disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what does pet dental care look like? Let\u2019s dive in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pet Dental Care Basics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Brushing a dog or cat\u2019s teeth is no joke. Like humans, our furry friends would benefit the most from twice-daily brushings\u2014a unicorn if there ever was one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But see if you can manage to brush your pet’s teeth and gums with pet-friendly toothpaste every other day. If so, you\u2019ll be on the way to a good feline or canine dental hygiene routine. Especially if you supplement toothbrushing with dental treats and water additives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The goal here is to routinely remove plaque from your dog or cat\u2019s teeth before it can harden into tartar. Here\u2019s the bad news: plaque and tartar can sneak in below your pet\u2019s gumline. Without early detection and treatment, this leads to feline and canine tooth decay, abscesses, and infections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why yearly dental appointments<\/a> are crucial to your pet\u2019s health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professional Teeth Cleaning for Dogs and Cats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The only way to treat gum disease in cats and dogs is to make sure your pet gets a professional cleaning from a veterinarian once or twice a year. During a yearly or twice-yearly dental exam, your veterinarian will: <\/p>\n\n\n\n