What Are Some Dental Health Facts For Pets?









Although every pet owner knows the importance of regular exercise and exercise for their pet, proper health care is often overlooked. With February being National Pet Dental Health Month, there's no better time to develop a maintenance plan for your pet's oral hygiene. As the mouth goes, so goes the health, 


Dr. said Bert Dodd, clinical professor at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. The overall health can be affected by oral diseases, which can enter the bloodstream and affect the organs and joints of the pet. Dental disease affects a significant number of pets of all ages throughout their lives and, just like in humans, poor dental health can cause serious problems.



Although pets are not known for having bad breath, bad breath can be the first sign of serious dental problems. Often, bad breath is the first sign of oral disease, Dr. Dodd said. Some other signs of oral disease may include excessive chewing, burning gums, and loose teeth. 


Other oral problems that can result from poor dental hygiene include periodontal disease, gingivitis, halitosis, gum disease, mouth ulcers, food insecurity and facial pain. It is always best to consult a veterinarian if your pet begins to show signs of oral discomfort or bad breath. Your pet's dental care should start as soon as possible, so it is important that your veterinarian teaches you how to care for your pet's teeth and gums from the beginning. 


They can reveal the most effective and easiest way to brush your pet's teeth, as well as the safest and most effective food and toys. Another important step in caring for your pet's dental health is to have your pet's dentist perform a thorough cleaning and examination every year. Oral examinations and cleanings should be done on your pet at least once a year, Dr. Dodd said. They should be done more often if home care cannot be done or if the animal has other oral problems.


Dental health should be a daily ritual that pet owners follow throughout the year, not just in February. Keep in mind that the oral health of your four-legged friend has a direct impact on their overall health.












1..That's right.Make sure the box fits your cat's size. The box should measure 1 ½ times the length of your cat, from the tip of the nose to the bottom of the tail. Don't ask your cat to go into a small box just because you want to keep it in a hidden area. If you can't find a box big enough for your cat, consider using a plastic crate. Safety bags come in a variety of styles, so you should be able to find one that fits your cat perfectly.




2..Good style.There are many box designs on the market, from open boxes to sealed boxes to self-cleaning electronic boxes. In my 37 years of researching cat behavior, I can tell you that the basic open box is the best option. An open crate allows the cat to get in and out easily and also allows it to have more warning time if a challenging cat approaches. 


Open boxes also offer more than one escape option. Covered boxes can make cats feel trapped and trapped inside if another cat approaches. Self-cleaning electronic boxes can be intimidating to some cats, are expensive, and don't allow you to monitor what is or isn't being put in the box. 



3..Feed the right food.Texture is important for cats. They can be very picky when it comes to how a litter box looks on their pad. They also have very sensitive noses, so the smell of a litter box (or the smell of a dirty litter box) can lead to avoidance of the litter box. In general, cats prefer soft, sandy, fragrant things. If you're not sure what type of litter your cat might like, try creating another box with a variety of items to give your cat a choice. 



4..Correct number of boxes.Of course, the rule is to have the same number of boxes as the cat plus one for convenience. This can help maintain harmony between multiple cats if cats that have a bad relationship will not share a box. Even if you only live with one cat, it's a good idea to have more than one box, especially if you live in a multi-story home. Place a box on each floor.




5..The most important rule is that the box should not be near food or water.Cats don't clean up where they eat. The box should be placed in a safe and comfortable place for the cat. Although you don't want to place the box directly in the middle of the room where the family is, don't make it so far away that the cat can't get into it in time. In a multi-cat environment, divide the boxes into one of each cat's preferred areas. This will help reduce friction if one cat doesn't have to walk around another cat to get to the box. 




6..Correct schedule.The box should be picked up at least twice a day. One common reason for avoiding the box is that the box is very dirty. Bathing twice a day is also important to help detect problems early. In addition to washing twice a day, dispose of all spills and clean the box regularly with a mild detergent. If you use a scoop able litter, the box should be cleaned thoroughly at least once a month. If you use clay regularly, the box should be cleaned once a week.



7..Listen to your cat.If your cat stops using the litter box or their litter box habits change, pay attention to this because it could be a red flag that something is wrong. The first step is to have your cat examined by a veterinarian to rule out underlying health problems. Watch for other behaviors, such as tapping on the floor or walls around the box, but not covering or touching the box itself. 


This may indicate that the cat does not like the feeling of the litter box. If your cat cries in the crate, it may mean that it is in pain. Frequent visits to the box can indicate health problems. Scratching right in front of the box may mean that the cat is trying to get into the box, but something about the arrangement is wrong. Don't put the trash can back in the ocean and expect it to run on autopilot. Keep the box and pay attention to what your cat says about it.





Pam Johnson-Bennett


Pam Johnson Bennett is a cat behavior consultant and bestseller of 8 books on cat behavior. She starred in the Animal Planet series Psycho Kitty, which was seen in Canada and the United Kingdom. He served as vice president of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and founded their feline division. He has served on advisory boards for the American Humane Association and other animal welfare organizations. 


Pam is considered a pioneer in the field of feline behavioral counseling, having begun her career in 1982. Some of her books have been used as textbooks for behavioral studies and have influenced many professionals in the field. today. His book is called Think Like a Cat Bible.