Caring for a pet’s dental needs
PET BULLETIN
‘Mews and Yips’ from the Central Aroostook Humane Society
By Chris
Cowett Robinson
We stop to think about our own dental needs, especially when “dragon breath” invades our mouths, but have you ever considered the dental health of your cat or dog? The following information comes from Dr. Farnham’s Pet Products regarding dental disease in cats and dogs.
General Information:
• Dental calculus (tartar) is composed of various mineral salts, organic material and food particles. In the early stages of accumulation, the material is soft (plaque), but it later hardens and adheres to the teeth. Continual accumulation causes inflammation of the gums and eventual recession of the gums and loose teeth. The breath becomes very odorous and the mouth becomes a dangerous source of infection. Untreated tooth and gum disease may allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream and cause damage to the valves of the heart.
Prevention:
• Feed hard or coarse foods;
• Provide rawhide, hard rubber or nylon chew toys or hard treat foods. Remember that the treat foods are a source of calories and may lead to obesity if too many are given;
• Brush your pet’s teeth periodically. Your veterinarian can provide special enzymatic toothpaste developed for teeth of cats and dogs. Abrasive dental cleaning pads are also helpful in cleaning the teeth. Water and baking soda can be used with a soft toothbrush but are less effective than toothpaste developed for animals; and
• Regular professional cleaning by your veterinarian is the most effective way to ensure good dental health for your pet.
So have your cat’s and dog’s teeth checked often by your veterinarian to prevent the unnecessary loss of teeth and the cure for “dragon breath.”
At this very moment CAHS is feeling very fortunate; so many have been so generous to us, we are truly blessed. At Christmas, we invested in a tablet. This tablet has given us the opportunity to post many more pictures of our adoptable animals both on Facebook and on Petfinder. Because of your faithful sharing of pictures, many many animals have found wonderful, forever, loving homes. Please keep up the great work. Together we can do great things for the animals of The County.
As always, please have your pets spayed or neutered.
The Central Aroostook Humane Society is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. You can reach us by phone at 764-3441 or if you would like to make a donation, you can send it directly to: 26 Cross St. Presque Isle, ME 04769, or go to our website www.centralaroostookhumanesociety.org and donate through Paypal.
