World Magazine 2024
Nowadays pets have become an important part of our life. As most of the pet owners are aware of joys and happiness are coming while sharing day to day life with pets. In today’s world pets have evolved so much and they are very well aware of our emotions and behaviour, especially dogs, they are very much able to understand many of the words we use, they are even better at copying body language and gestures of their owners. Dogs are very loyal to their owners and they always try to understand what their owners are thinking and feeling. As dogs are very important to us in the same way their health and oral health are also very important for them.
One of the greatest gifts any owner can give their dog is to keep them healthy. Good health and oral health is just as important for dogs and cats as it is for the rest of your family. Your pets depend so much on their teeth to chew food, to defend themselves when they are in danger and so many things. Problems with teeth and gums don’t just cause your pet pain and discomfort, but also put them at risk of developing life-threatening health issues. To know more click here.
If your pet’s age is three or older than that and he has not received any professional dental care yet, there is a high chance that your dog has periodontal disease. A study by the American Veterinary Dental Society found that 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have gum disease in some form by the age of three – the risk is higher for smaller dog breeds. Without treatment, oral health problems can lead to pain, tooth loss, infections, and even damage to the organs, including the heart and kidneys. In some cases, it even leads to premature death.
You can help your dog or cat stay healthy by taking good care of their teeth and learning how to spot these common warning signs.
Table of Contents
1. Bad Breath
As we know dogs are not the best in the case of fresh breath. But if their breath smells different from what they have eaten, maybe that is the indication that bacteria and plaque have built up in their mouths. Having bacteria in their teeth can cause tooth decay. One of the other cases is, if your dog’s breath smells like rotten eggs or rotten fish, maybe it could be a sign that they are having gum disease, which needs to be treated by their vet. Dog owners should keep in mind that it is not just a bad-smelling breath but there is more at stake than that. Having untreated plaque and gum disease can damage your dog’s teeth and jaws over time and another thing is that your dog may lose their teeth. Infections caused by gum disease have been linked with diseases of the heart, liver and kidneys, so owners should talk to their vet if they notice any unpleasant smells.
2. Change in eating habits
If you notice any unusual changes in your dog’s appetite or he is not eating regularly maybe it is a cause for concern especially when they do not eat their regular foods. It is one of the serious dental diseases. Although there are more concerns when you notice symptoms of gum disease like swollen gums or infections and maybe infections stop eating or chewing their food. At this time you should contact a professional vet.
3. Teeth that are discoloured
If you notice any stains around your dog’s teeth which are yellow or brown in colour and you think it is common for your dog but it is not, especially near or around the gums, there is a high chance that your dog has dental plaque which can increase pain in your dog’s jaw. These diseases can be prevented by brushing your dog’s teeth with a special type of toothpaste. Left plaque can be removed carefully with the help of a vet.
4. Swollen or bleeding gums
If you notice any swollen or bleeding gums it can be a sign that your pet has some infection or gum disease which may increase the tooth pain or may raise jaw discomfort. These types of diseases can be diagnosed with the help of your vet. It may include cleaning their teeth, removing plaque and bacteria. Sometimes it may also include the removal of a tooth or teeth.
5. Loose and broken teeth
If your dog is three years old or older than that and he or she is losing their teeth and you think it is common to lose teeth as they are getting older, most of the time it is a sign of having more serious dental issues. Maybe bacteria have eaten away the roots which hold the tooth in place, or an infection has occurred or is in the process of developing. A loose tooth can also be caused by chewing something too hard which might open the root of the tooth and can cause infection.
6. Drooling more than usual
Most dog owners think that dogs drooling themselves is just a messy part of their life. But if you notice your dog is drooling more than usual, this might mean your dog has a health problem because of this. Maybe they are producing more saliva than usual. This could indicate different dental problems which involve gum disease, tooth infection. In these cases, the vet generally recommends pulling out the tooth.
Conclusion
Pets have become an integral part of everyone’s lives. They are super sweet and absolutely adorable. Dogs and cats are man’s best friends, and they listen to everyone without any judgments. However, any signs of change in their regular and normal behaviour should be taken as a precautionary measure and should be treated as soon as possible. They might not be able to work their issues and problems, but they sure can indicate them. It becomes the responsibility of the owners to take proper care of their pets.
