Sixteen signs your pet may need a dental cleaning

    signs for dental cleaning

Toothaches can be hard to notice in pets thanks to their love of food and their instinct to hide their pain or discomfort. Our pets tend to keep chowing down even through oral pain that would have us calling our dentist.

 

 

On top of that, dental disease in pets occurs below the gumline, meaning pet owners don’t know there’s a problem until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. 

While you may not be able to see direct signs of dental disease, by paying close attention to your pet, you can usually see subtle changes that may let you know something is amiss in your pet’s mouth. 

Signs that your pet needs an oral exam and dental cleaning include:

  1. Red, swollen or bleeding gums
  2. Plaque buildup
  3. Bad breath
  4. Blood in water or food bowls
  5. Thick saliva
  6. Rubbing their face with their paws or on the floor
  7. Swelling along their jaw or under either eye
  8. Loose or broken teeth
  9. Avoiding head pats
  10. Decreased energy
  11. Change in play behavior (e.g., no longer playing tug-of-war or fetch)
  12. Sneezing or discharge from their nose
  13. Avoiding hard treats, chews or toys
  14. Decreased appetite or a new preference for softened food
  15. Favoring one side of their mouth when chewing
  16. Difficulty picking up food, or dropping food out of their mouth

In particularly stoic pets—especially cats—early infections may go completely unnoticed. Your best bet for ensuring your pet is not living with oral pain caused by dental disease is to have your veterinarian evaluate your pet’s mouth on a regular basis.

Have questions about your pet’s oral health? VCA clients can stay connected with free 24/7 Live Chat!* >>

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