Does the phrase "dog's breath" spring to mind whenever your pooch is present, or is the smell of your cat's mouth far from roses when it's up close and personal? Your furry friend might have halitosis!

 

Like us, animals get a build-up of tartar on their teeth. But they don't brush and floss daily. Periodontal disease starts with this tartar build-up and can lead to gingivitis (gum infection), decay and tooth-root infections. Apart from the "dodgy" breath, other signs are excessive dribbling, dropping food and difficulty eating. In the wild, dogs and cats eat whole carcasses of bone, meat, skin and hair, which keeps the teeth clean. You can mimic this by supplementing a commercial diet with raw bones a few times per week. Don't feed your pet cooked bones as they can splinter and cause obstructions.

 

Make sure that the bone is an appropriate size for the pet (raw chicken wings are perfect for little dogs and cats).

 

Other alternatives include raw hide chews (you can even get them in minty flavours for fresh breath), enzymatic chews to help break down the 'tartar, and dental toys.

 

There are some great commercial diets formulated to slow down the build-up of tartar, and you can even brush your pet's teeth (don't forget to use animal toothpaste, which comes in several different meaty flavours).

 

If the tartar is heavy enough, your vet will need to give a general anaesthetic to your pet to scale and polish, and remove any rotten teeth. It's worth taking your pussycat or pooch for a vet check as halitosis can stem from digestive or medical problems, including kidney and anal sac disease.

 

If you get your cats and canines chewing, you can start to say goodbye to bad breath for ever! Story: Dr Julie Summerfield

Visit Pet Plant for Pet Hygiene Products

 

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