Open Wide

Naturally kick doggy and kitty breath to the curb.

By Julie Marie Gervais

We can all agree that bad breath gets in the way of a cuddle session with your dog or cat. Halitosis in a dog or cat usually indicates tooth decay and gum disease, which is commonly diagnosed by veterinarians as periodontal disease. Periodontal disease consists of bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria build-up is caused mostly by poor oral hygiene (such as not brushing your dog or cat’s teeth) and poor nutrition.

So why should we care? Studies have shown that up to 80 percent of all cats and dogs over the age of three have some degree of periodontal disease. To prevent periodontal disease, consider watching out for the following signs:

Sniff, Sniff

Get up close: how does your petâs breath smell? It should be odour-free. If it smells foul, a visit to the vet would be wise. Bad breath is the first clue of a potential periodontal problem.

However, do note that a cat may not be as co-operative as a dog when it comes to “opening wide.” If your cat wonât say “aah,” a helpful trick is to get its favourite toy on a string and dangle it above the face. The cat will usually open up its mouth while playing. (This is the perfect opportunity to take a whiff of that breath.)

Get Toothy

Are your pet’s teeth yellow and brown? They should be pearly white and shiny. Otherwise, you might be peering at dental tartar. Dental tartar is a hard grey, yellow or brownish substance. The deposit is found up towards the gums on the teeth and eventually hardens into tartar, which can only be removed by a dental cleaning. The tartar irritates the gums and gives bacteria access to the root, leading to infection, pain and tooth loss. To prevent tartar build-up, daily brushing is required.

Gummy Details

Look at the gums: are they red or bleeding? They should be pink and glistening. If not, it may have gingivitis caused by bacteria and plaque build-up on the teeth, primarily due to not brushing after eating. This can be reversed with proper cleaning, but if untreated may lead to bone loss.

Brush (And Eat) Up

The prevention of periodontal disease can be accomplished through daily tooth brushing. Just like your hygiene regime, brush your pet’s teeth twice a day. If you don’t have a toothbrush, consider wrapping gauze around your finger; apply toothpaste and gently rub the teeth and gums.

A diet without sugar can also help beat bad breath. Consider talking to your vet about a raw diet, which may include raw meat, bones, vegetables, eggs, yogurt and kelp. Conveniently, there are also ready-made raw frozen meals made just for pets, which you can find at your vet’s office or pet store.

References
Betsy Brevitz, D.V.M., 2004, Hound Health Handbook,
Workman Publishing Company, Inc., New York, NY.
Canadian Veterinarian Medical Association.