It is estimated that 80% of dogs and cats over the age of 3 years have some degree of periodontal disease, the leading cause of early tooth loss in cats and dogs. Left untreated, it progresses and can cause heart, liver, and kidney problems.
Does your cat or dog have bad breath? This is the first sign of periodontal disease, so read on to learn how you can help prevent it.
Healthy teeth are an important part of your cat and dog’s anatomy, used daily to hunt, play, carry things, and of course, to chew food. Teeth are subjected to a lot of wear and tear over your pet’s lifetime, so helping them to maintain healthy teeth is essential for a better and longer quality of life.
Unhealthy teeth can stop your pets from doing the things they love – chewing, playing, fetching, and eating.
What are the functions of the different teeth?
Their front teeth (canines and incisors) are used for catching and holding prey, and grasping, and tugging food and toys, whilst their back teeth (pre-molars and molars) are designed for shearing chunks of meat off bone. Dogs and cats do not grind and chew their food like we do, they tend to swallow pieces and leave the rest of the breakdown to their digestive juices.
How many teeth do dogs and cats have?
Puppies have 28, dogs 42, kittens 26, and cats have 30 teeth. Cats and dogs have the same number (16) of canine and incisor teeth, but dogs have 16 pre-molars and 10 molars, versus cats who have 10 pre-molars and 4 molars.
Puppies and kittens lose their deciduous (baby) teeth and start to gain their permanent teeth at age 4-5 months. This teething process for dogs and cats normally takes 2 months, so from age 6-7 months they have their adult teeth and these need to be well cared for.
Is it normal for my cat or dog to have bad breath?
Whilst some food may cause your pet to have temporary bad breath after eating, just like us, ongoing bad breath is not normal. It is the first warning sign of unhealthy teeth and periodontal disease forming, otherwise known as dental disease.
Signs of dental disease in cats and dogs include:
Bad breath
Yellow teeth, or areas of green or brown on the teeth
Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
Pawing at the mouth
Drooling more than usual
Difficulty eating
Decreased appetite
Loose or missing teeth
What is periodontal disease?
It is estimated 80% of dogs and cats over the age of 3 years old have some degree of periodontal disease. It occurs when there is inflammation and infection of the gums (gingivitis) as well as the ligaments and bone tissue below the gum line. It starts as a build-up of plaque - which is a mixture of food, saliva, and bacteria that sticks to the surface of the tooth and starts causing bad breath.
If not removed, plaque will calcify into tartar and the disease will progress from there, affecting the roots of the teeth, causing awfully bad breath, pain, loose rotten teeth, and other health conditions.
Periodontal disease has 4 stages:
Stage 1 = Mild gingivitis and plaque. Invisible, so prevention is key.
Often reversible with brushing and appropriate chewing.
Stage 2 = Mild to moderate tartar and gingivitis.
Gingivitis is usually reversible after professional scaling and polishing.
Stage 3 = Heavy tartar and gum disease with bone loss and/or teeth fractures.
Usually very painful, without intervention may not be reversible.
Stage 4 = Severe tartar, advanced periodontal disease
Severe pain, tooth loss, abscess, or infection likely
The agony of sore gums and toothache as well as the long-term effects on your pet’s vital organs will significantly impact their quality of life.
Can periodontal disease kill my dog or cat?
Periodontal disease is the leading cause of early tooth loss in cats and dogs. Left untreated, it progresses and can cause heart, liver, and kidney problems, so yes it can contribute to an earlier death of your pet.
How can I prevent dental disease in my cat or dog?
Dogs and cats need preventative dental care, just like us. Home dental care can include feeding biscuits more than soft food, a special dental diet, and adding in cat dental treats, dental sticks, toys, or dental chews to help clean your dog’s teeth more naturally.
Ideally, you should brush your dog’s teeth regularly but do not use a human toothbrush or toothpaste.
The gold standard is to have a “dental” every one to two years. First, we will check your pet is healthy, using blood tests, as we need to use a general anesthetic to perform the dental. Once asleep, plaque and tartar are removed using an ultrasonic descaling machine, so we can see their teeth and gums easily. We probe the gum, look for gum recession, pockets of infection, missing or broken teeth, cavities, and we may look deeper using a dental x-ray. We will remove any teeth that can’t be saved and finish by polishing the teeth.
If your pet has usually bad breath, call us to book them in for a dental and for more tips on home dental care.
The above information is provided as an educational guide only and is not a substitute for advice from your pet’s healthcare professionals. If your pet’s symptoms continue, you are concerned about them, or you would like further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
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