Brush up and save - September is Hill’s Pet Dental Month

According to the experts, an oral care routine should be a daily regimen for owners serious about keeping their pet in peak condition. Dental disease, one of the most common health problems diagnosed in adult dogs and cats, is not only painful but also potentially life-threatening. “Oral disease causes bleeding gums, discoloured teeth, smelly breath, dental decay, tooth loss and discomfort,” says Dr Guy Fyvie, veterinary advisor for Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “The bacteria present can also affect the pet’s heart, liver and kidneys - a price you don’t want your much-loved pet to pay.”

Dr Fyvie says that prevention is always better than cure. Here are a few simple steps to help keep your pet’s breath fresh and its mouth healthy:

·         An annual wellness appointment with the vet that includes a mouth examination

·         Only using tooth-friendly toys

·         Daily brushing of your pet’s teeth to prevent the build-up of plaque – special pet toothpastes are available from vets

·         Feeding a food clinically proven to help clean the pet’s teeth (such as Hill’s Science Plan Oral Care and Hill’s Prescription Diet® t/d, the only complete foods in South Africa that have been awarded the Veterinary Oral Health Council Seal of Acceptance for stain, plaque and gingivitis control)

·         Never feeding hooves or bones – one of the biggest cause of teeth fractures

Although some breeds are at a higher risk of dental disease every pet with teeth should have an oral care routine. For expert advice speak to your pet’s dentist – the vet!

-Issued by Paula Wilson Media Consulting for Hill’s Pet Nutrition.