Did you know that about 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats suffer from periodontal disease by the time they are two years old? Don’t let your pet become part of the statistics. Our team at Silicon Valley Pet Clinic in Santa Clara would like to discuss why pet dental care is important.
Dental Care Prevents Tooth Loss
Teeth play a crucial part in how well your pet can digest food. If your pet cannot chew, then the food cannot be broken down far enough for the digestive system to extract all of the food’s nutrients. Over time, your pet could become malnourished because he or she is unable to chew.
Dental Care Prevents Bad Breath
Believe it or not, dogs and cats are not supposed to have bad breath. When they do have bad breath, it is because bacteria in the mouth is busy forming plaque.
Pet Dental Care Also Protects Your Pet’s Inner Organs
You may have heard that people with gum disease are more at risk of developing heart problems. The same is true for pets with periodontal disease. Plaque that causes the disease gets into a pet’s bloodstream and damages the heart, liver, and kidneys.
Hard Food is Not Enough to Clean a Pet’s Teeth
It is a common misconception that by eating dry food or hard treats, your pet’s teeth will be kept clean. Hard food and treats do not get to all of the places where plaque grows. This is why you need to brush your pet’s teeth. Ask our veterinarian how to brush your pet’s teeth and get them professionally cleaned during your pet’s annual checkup.
Get Your Pet’s Teeth Cleaned in Santa Clara, CA
You should brush your pet’s teeth every day or at least twice per week. Contact Silicon Valley Pet Clinic if you have questions about how to take care of your pet’s teeth and live in the Santa Clara area. Call our team today at (408) 248-3844 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.