Periodontal Disease in Dogs and Cats
February marks National Pet Dental Health Month, so today we are going to talk about dental disease in our pets. No, we’re not talking about cavities or wisdom teeth–we’re talking about the number one cause of dental issues in pets: Periodontal Disease in dogs and cats, where build-up of plaque on and around the teeth can start to cause discomfort, pain, swelling, and infection around your pet’s teeth and gums. With good at-home dental routines and regular professional dental cleanings with your veterinarian, you can prevent your pet from suffering from periodontal disease. What is Periodontal Disease in Dogs and Cats? Caused by poor oral hygiene, periodontal disease is not only the most common dental disease in our pets, but also the most common issue affecting our dogs and cats that we see in veterinary clinics, with 78% of dogs and 68% of cats over the age of three being affected. Periodontal disease is caused by bacterial plaque and tartar gathering both above and below the gumli