Animals and Dental Hygiene

[KageTora]

Why is it that humans develop abscesses, tooth decay, toothache, and so on, despite brushing at least once a day, while animals seem to never suffer from these, despite never brushing?

[blanx]

They generally don't eat sugary foods like humans do. Although actually they do sometimes suffer from dental decay but its most often the domesticated animals that get given sugary snacks by humans that have this problem.

[Rosetta]

I wish that were true, we spent a load of money when our cat had to have several teeth removed by the vet, and she has certainly never had sweet food, she wouldn't touch the stuff

[fredpuli47]

We have the habit of feeding soft mushy food to our dogs.That can stick around the teeth and cause decay.

In the wild, animals don't have that problem.We have to clean our pets' teeth and/or ensure they get cleansing, hard food as well as the soft stuff. A wolf is eating bones as well as fairly tough meat.The cats' ancestors did the same.That chewing keeps the teeth fairly clean of adhesive food, in so far as any of the food is adhesive.Another factor could be that life expectancy of a wild animal is less than that of its domestic relatives; our pets live long enough for teeth problems to arise and be troublesome whereas the wild animal dies before that happens.

[momac]

Our cat was very poorly with gingivitis and had to have a lot of teeth out,and he would never eat sweet food,the Vet just said that some cats are just unlucky.

[Noweia]

They do. Dogs and cats frequently suffer from a buildup of tartar, which accumulates like cement on the teeth and causes gum irritation. If left long enough, eventually the gum regresses so far the tooth roots are exposed and the tooth has to be removed.

Animals can also have fractured teeth - owners often don't notice them, because if the animal has had it for a while the tooth may be dead and won't hurt - but you know yourself that a cracked tooth is initially very painful!

Tooth root abscesses are common in rabbits, cattle, horses, and hamsters. They are not so common in cats and dogs but we still see themfairly often. Best case scenario - the breath stinks but there is no lasting damage and a short course of antibiotics clears it up. Worst case scenario - infection has established itself in the bone (very painful) and there may be facial swelling or the eye may stick out more - and it may then be too late to treat effectively.

Animals can't tell us they have toothache - but you can tell if their mouth is sore by watching them eat. They may eat slowly and careful, or they may refuse dry food and only lick jelly off wet food.

Our sugary diets increase our chances of tooth decay, but our animals don't escale the dental disease either!

[bigmamma]

My 7 and a half year old lab had her annual vacs week before last and when the vet checked her teeth she remarked how great their condition they are and said how well I am looking after them . I was very pleased needless to say as you know how greedy labs can be and it's hard to ignore those pleading " I haven't been fed...ever " begging eyes !