Animal Charity Urges Pet Owners To Focus On Dental Health As National Pet Smile Month Campaign Launches
Leading animal welfare charity, PDSA, is urging pet owners to focus on oral health this month, as the National Pet Smile Month campaign launches.
Senior vet from the PDSA, Elaine Pendlebury, said that dental disease is among the most common preventable illnesses in dogs and cats and sadly, many pet owners do not realise that they need to take steps to protect their pets. Dental disease can cause animals pain and additional symptoms such as swelling, which can also lead to decreased appetite and weight loss and there is an increased risk of general health problems, as bacterial infections can spread to other parts of the body. Gum disease is five times more common in dogs than it is in humans, but it can be prevented with good oral hygiene.
As National Pet Smile Month launches, vets are encouraging pet owners to clean their pet’s teeth. As Ms Pendlebury explains, daily cleaning helps to prevent the formation of dental plaque, which also causes decay and gum disease in humans. By gently brushing the teeth on a daily basis, the risk of dental disease is greatly reduced and if you start this regime when pets are still young, they will get used to it and they won’t kick up a fuss.
The PDSA advises pet owners to take their pets for regular health and dental checks and to ask their vet about oral health issues and dental cleaning.
Vet surgeries across the UK will be celebrating the annual campaign and many are offering dental screening and will be happy to provide advice about preventing oral disease.
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