A Special Benefit for Our AutoShip Customers!

Free access to licensed vets to show our appreciation

Redeem Your Vetster Benefit

ASK A VET

Veterinarian, DVM, MBA

Get free advice on diet, health, fitness, and wellness questions within 3 business days via email.

February Is National Pet Dental Health Month

Ask the Vet

Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Back to results

Enter Your Information All fields are required

While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.

Name *

Email *

Category *

Pet Type *

Topic *

Question *

*Please note: Questions submitted and the answers will appear on our website as a benefit to all pet owners. Please make sure not to include any personal information in the box where you enter your question.

Ask the Vet

Got questions? Ask Our Vet Team:

Do these answer your question?

Showing of | See All

Have another question, or can’t find your answer?

Submit your question

We're Sorry!

There is no answer related to your question

Can’t find your answer?

Submit your question

Category

Addison's Disease Allergies Anal Sac Inflammation Anxiety Arthritis Asthma

Behavior Bladder Stones

Coronavirus Cancer Congestive Heart Failure Corneal Ulcers Coughing Cushing's Disease

Dehydration Dental Diabetes Diarrhea Digestive Distemper Dry Eye

Ear Care Ear Infections Ear Mites Epilepsy Eye

Fatty Tumors Feline Leukemia First Aid and Safety Fleas and Ticks Fungal Diseases Food

Glaucoma

Hair Loss Heartworm Disease Hip Dysplasia Horse Horse Lameness Horse Ulcers Hot Spots Hyperthyroidism Hypothyroidism Holistic

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Joints

Kennel Cough Kidney Disease Kidney Stones Kitten

Limping Liver Disease Lyme Disease Lymphoma

Mange Medication Miscellaneous Motion Sickness

Neutering Nutrition New Cat Adoption Guide

Obesity

Pain Parvovirus Pet Supplies Poisoning Puppy

Rabies

Seasonal/Holiday Seasons Senior Pets Separation Anxiety Skin and Coat Spaying Submissive Urination Supplements Special Needs Pets Surgery

Toxicity Thyroid Problems

Unexplained or Unhealthy Weight Urinary Tract

Vaccinations Schedule Vaccine Reaction Vision Vomiting

Weight Loss in Dogs and Cats Worms

See advice A-Z

Dental health

February is National Pet Dental Health Month! And if you don't think your pet's dental health is that important, consider these facts:

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), 80% of dogs and 70% of cats will develop some form of oral disease by the age of three.
Not addressing your pet's dental health could lead to more severe secondary diseases like heart or kidney disease.
By not brushing your pet's teeth, formations of bacteria, food particles, and saliva combine and collect between the gums and teeth, which progresses into tartar buildup. Over time this can develop into periodontal disease, which erodes at the gums and can result in bad breath, bleeding gums, and pain.

Brush your pet's teeth regularly.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends that you brush your pet's teeth daily. But in most cases, this is not always feasible, especially if your pet will not cooperate. However, it's not a reason to disregard the brushing process altogether.
To help freshen breath between brushings, consider using TropiClean Fresh Breath Floss Ropeball. It's a playful way to fight plaque and tartar build-up.

C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kit

35% off first AutoShip
Code: SAVE35

$15.29

Shop now

Maintain fresh breath in between brushings and vet visits.

Although brushing is the best way to keep your pet's mouth clean and healthy, there are dental solutions which can also help.
Simply add the solution to your pet's drinking water to help fight bacteria in between brushing.
Be Fresh Dental Care Solution helps freshen breath and maintain healthy teeth and gums.

Be Fresh Dental Care Solution 16 oz-product-tile

PetMeds 16 oz

35% off first AutoShip
Code: SAVE35

$7.92

Shop now

Promote clean teeth and fresh breath with a dental treat or chew.

Giving a treat like Greenies Dental Treats (dogs) and Feline Greenies Dental Treats (cats) can help clean your pet's teeth in between brushings.
Greenies Dental Treats were awarded the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal which recognizes the products for helping to control both tartar and plaque.
Another treat option are C.E.T. VeggieDent chews for Dogs. Each tasty vegetable-based chew helps fight plaque and tartar build-up for healthier teeth and gums.

C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews for Dogs

35% off first AutoShip
Code: SAVE35

$15.99

Shop now

Tip

Dental care is even more important with small breeds because they tend to be at an increased risk of developing dental diseases, which is caused by the crowding of teeth in their mouths.