Comprehensive Guide to Preventing and Treating Cavities in Pets

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1. Signs of Dental Pain in Dogs
2. Behavioural Changes
3. Oral Discomfort Indicator
4. Physical Symptoms
5. Importance of Pet Dental Care
6. Pet Dental Health Tips
7. Professional Pet Dental Cleaning

1. Signs of Dental Pain in Dogs

Some signs of dental pain in dogs include a loss of appetite or chewing on one side of the mouth.
Your dog may suddenly seem disinterested in food or hesitant to eat. This may be a result of dental pain making it uncomfortable to chew. Even if your dog continues eating, they may favour one side of the mouth, avoiding the painful side when chewing treats, toys, and their regular food.

2. Behavioural Changes

Your dog may indicate that something is bothering them by pawing at their mouth or face in an attempt to alleviate their discomfort. They may also become irritable or yelp in pain if you touch their face. Some dogs might even show uncharacteristic aggression if you touch near their mouth.

3. Oral Discomfort Indicators

If you notice that your dog has particularly bad breath or is drooling excessively, they may be suffering from dental pain. As with humans, dogs may have gums that become inflamed and bleed easily. It may be difficult to check if your dog is hesitant to let you touch their mouth, but that in itself is another indicator of discomfort.

4. Physical Symptoms

Aside from the appearance of red, swollen gums and increased production of saliva, you may note a buildup of tartar, or the discolouration of your dog’s teeth, both of which result from poor pet dental health and can indicate current or impending issues and pain.

5. Importance of Pet Dental Care

Most people are conscientious about their own dental care and that of their children. It’s important to apply the same standards to your dog to ensure their dental health and wellbeing. Proper pet dental cleaning can help prevent not only pain and discomfort, but also a host of other health problems such as systemic issues caused by dental infections, including heart, liver, and kidney problems.

Of course, you will also benefit from your dog having fresher breath, making interactions with them more pleasant for you.

6. Pet Dental Health Tips

Ensuring good dental health in your dog can be accomplished with a few simple tips:

• Brush their teeth regularly with a toothbrush and toothpaste designed for dogs. Daily brushing will remove plaque and maintain good oral hygiene. Your dog may be resistant at first, but they will soon adapt and may even look forward to brushing.
• Provide dental-friendly toys that are designed to promote oral health by removing plaque and tartar buildup.
• Visit your veterinarian for regular dental checkups. Your vet will monitor your dog’s dental health to detect any potential problems before they become a major issue, allowing for early treatment.

7. Professional Pet Dental Cleaning

Although you should be caring your dog’s teeth at home, regular visits to your vet allows for a more thorough dental cleaning. Your veterinarian will be able to remove even stubborn tartar buildup that brushing alone can’t handle. Scaling and polishing will keep your dog’s teeth clean and healthy, and the regular examination of their teeth allows for early detection of dental issues or abnormalities.

Recognizing dental pain in dogs is important for their health and wellbeing. If you spot changes in their behaviour or eating habits, it may be an indicator of physical discomfort that requires a visit to the vet.

Keep your dog healthy, happy, and free from dental pain by calling Langley Animal Clinic at (604)534-4813, or contacting us online today to book an appointment for their dental check up.

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Veterinary care

It’s important to get your new pet checked out by a veterinarian as soon as you can. The vet will be able to make sure your pet is healthy and up to date on all necessary vaccinations. They can also advise you on any special care your pet may need, such as a specific diet or medication.

Also, make sure that you keep up with regular vet appointments for your pet throughout its life. This will help keep your pet’s vaccinations current and prevent illnesses from developing later.

Vaccines

Vaccinations are very important to keep your new puppy or kitten healthy. Puppies and kittens need several rounds of vaccines to protect them from diseases like distemper and rabies.

Puppies and kittens receive their first set of vaccines when they’re young. These are usually given around 8 weeks old, depending on the vaccine and the manufacturer’s recommendations. The second set is given around 12 weeks old, again depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian after bringing your pet home so the vaccinations can begin as soon as possible.

Basic care

Feeding

Your new puppy or kitten should be eating good quality food from the start. Look for foods that list meat or meat meal as the first ingredient. Avoid products with corn, wheat, or soy as the main ingredients.  Transitioning to adult food, puppies and kittens should be on a developmental diet for the first 10-12 months and then transition to an adult diet. This is important because it gives their digestive system time to adjust to a new diet.

Training

Puppies and kittens need training just like kids do! Encourage good behavior by rewarding them with treats when they do something right—such as sitting politely at the door when you come home—and appropriately addressing bad behavior like chewing on furniture until they learn what’s acceptable. Be consistent with your training so they know what’s expected of them in every situation. Trainers can offer the guidance and support you need, as it’s almost more important to train the human how to work with their animals.

Exercise

Puppies and kittens need exercise every day to stay fit and release tension and excess energy. They love playing with toys, going for walks on a leash (if they’re old enough), or romping around in their yard with other dogs/cats who live nearby (but make sure they get lots of breaks too!).

Deworming and parasite prevention

Deworming is a routine part of owning a pet, but it’s especially important when you adopt a puppy or kitten from a shelter or rescue. Shelter pets are often exposed to parasites, and they can pass these on to their new owners. Speak to your vet about the best treatments.

Deworming medications are used to kill intestinal parasites in animals. These parasites cause digestive problems, diarrhea, and vomiting. The frequency of deworming depends on the type of parasite being treated, but dogs are generally dewormed every month and cats every 3 months.

Spay/neuter your pet

To ensure that your pet stays healthy throughout its life, it’s important to spay or neuter them before they reach sexual maturity at about six months old for cats and nine months old for dogs. Spaying or neutering helps prevent unwanted litters as well as decreases the risk of certain cancers in both cats and dogs, including mammary cancer and testicular cancer.

In addition to preventing unwanted pregnancies and decreasing cancer risks, spaying or neutering also helps prevent behavioural problems like aggression and marking territory.

Permanent ID

Get your pet microchipped (and make sure it’s registered). Microchips are tiny devices implanted into dogs and cats that allow owners to find their pets if they’re lost or stolen. They work by emitting radio signals that can be detected by universal scanners that veterinarians use.

Pets are like family—and they deserve to be protected. Make sure your new best friend has a microchip and collar tag so they can be properly identified and returned to you if they go missing.

With proper care and regular vet visits, you can build a foundation for a long, happy, healthy relationship with your pet.

Schedule an appointment today!

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GOOD NUTRITION

Providing your pet with a nutritious diet is one of the most important things you can do to promote good health. A high-quality diet will provide the nutrients needed for growth, development, tissue repair, and maintenance of body systems. It will also help ensure that any excess or deficient nutrients are provided in an appropriate balance.

Here are Our Favourite Pet Food Brands and Why I Recommend Them.

Make sure you’re feeding them high-quality food from a reputable store or pet supply store—not just anything that’s cheap! You want something that’s nutritious for them and won’t make them sick over time.

EXERCISE

Exercise is an important part of a pet’s health and wellness. It can help your pet maintain a healthy weight and strengthen muscles, bones, and joints. Exercise also gives your pet more energy, improves their mental well-being, and helps them sleep better at night.

You can take your dog for a walk or run, play fetch, or take him to the dog park to play with other dogs. Your cat may enjoy playing with interactive toys that encourage movement such as laser pointers or balls on strings, and this all will help to keep your pet health and wellness.

DENTAL CARE

By taking the time to brush your pet’s teeth on a regular basis, you can reduce the risk of dental disease and improve their overall health. It is important to visit a vet every 6 months and learn more about dental care.

Brushing your pet’s teeth is one of the most important things you can do for them, especially if they are prone to gum disease or tooth decay. Regular brushing removes plaque before it has a chance to harden into tartar and form dental calculus (tartar). Brushing also helps remove any food particles that may be stuck in their teeth.

GOOD GROOMING

Grooming helps keep your pet clean and healthy, and it’s also a great opportunity to bond with your furry friend.

Grooming your dog or cat can be as simple as brushing its coat or clipping its nails. Other tasks, such as bathing, trimming fur, and ear cleaning, may require more time and effort.

You can groom a dog or cat by yourself or with help from a friend or family member. If you are unsure about what to do, ask your veterinarian for assistance.

KEEP YOUR HOME CLEAN

A clean home is a happy home for your pets. Regularly cleaning up after your cat or dog helps prevent illnesses and injuries from occurring in the first place. Make sure you’re doing all these things:

Put away food bowls – Food and water bowls should be cleaned every day and food bowls put away when not in use so that they don’t become breeding grounds for germs.

If you have any questions about the proper diet for your dog or cat, please contact us and we will be happy to answer your questions.

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Many pet owners will view their dog or cat almost as a child in the family. Unfortunately, while parents typically have an idea of which foods are best for their kids, providing fruits and vegetables while limiting candy and sugary drinks, pet owners may not know the best foods for their four-legged companions. Just as there is a difference between fast food and home-cooked meals, there are differences between the various brands of pet food. So, what are some of the best choices?

Here are our favourite pet food brands and why I recommend them.

Hill’s Prescription Diet

You may already be familiar with Hill’s Science Diet, which is a well-known brand that has been popular with pet owners for decades. While Science Diet provides formulas for healthy dogs and cats at all stages of life, from their earliest solid food through their senior years, Prescription Diet is formulated for pets that need to address a particular medical condition.

Some pets have an adverse reaction to certain foods, experiencing irritated skin, ear conditions, gastrointestinal upset, and more. For them, Hill’s offers Prescription Diet d/d, which guards against food sensitivities while helping digestion and supporting the immune system. Available in three different types of protein, it provides the nutrition that your pet needs while offering relief from itchy skin and other irritations.

Other diets from Hill’s are suitable for heavier pets that need to shed a few pounds or other conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease. Even when there is no particular issue causing concern, Hill’s can help in a preventative measure. Gum disease is a common issue for pets, but Hill’s t/d can help clean teeth by removing plaque and tartar, freshen breath, and promote healthy gums.

Royal Canin

Launched in France in 1968, Royal Canin works hard to keep your pet healthy through proper nutrition. Although the name might seem to imply that their food is intended exclusively for dogs, they also make high-quality formulas for cats.

Royal Canin stresses the importance of specific nutrition for specific needs and even specific breeds. For example, they provide a diet specifically for golden retrievers, with a particular shape of kibble designed to encourage chewing and a formula that supports healthy cardiac function. Pugs can enjoy a kibble designed to be easier for them to pick up with their short, square muzzle. Among their cat-breed-specific foods, you will find a diet for the Maine coon, formulated to help maintain healthy bones and joints.

Choosing the right food is important but also learning How to take Care of your pet to avoid any kind of health issues.

As with Hill’s Prescription Diet, Royal Canin offers a diet for dental care, with kibble that polishes the pet’s teeth as they chew, helping to limit plaque and tartar buildup every time they eat. Other formulas are made to assist with kidney disease, liver health, urinary health, and gastrointestinal issues. There are also options for high energy, moderate calorie, or low-fat formulas, making Royal Canin a great choice for virtually any dog or cat’s needs.

Purina

Another well-known brand, Purina has been serving the pet food market for more than 80 years. That longevity has earned them the trust and loyalty of many customers. With Pro Plan Veterinary Diets, Purina can help maintain good dental health and assist with gastrointestinal issues with high digestibility promoting nutrient absorption.

Purina is a top choice for our patients with food allergies, with hydrolyzed chicken and vegetarian formulas. Hydrolysis breaks down the protein into small components allowing for improved digestibility and a reduced chance of reaction.

Purina also offers options that aid in protecting your dog or cat’s urinary health.

Excellent Choices For Pet Health

It can be hard to choose the right pet food when there are so many options available. After all, with human food, an apple or a carrot will always be, essentially, an apple or a carrot, regardless of its origin, and the consumer knows what they are buying. Pet food, with so many brands and formulas, can be a bit trickier.

If you have a new puppy knowing its behavior’s and having some tips will help understand better the actions to take.

If you have any questions about the proper diet for your dog or cat, please contact us and we will be happy to answer your questions.

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New puppies are adorable, but that doesn’t mean they’re “problem-free”! From teething to chewing, house training to separation anxiety, and housebreaking to socialization, there’s a lot to keep up with. This article is going to take a look at the seven most common behavioural issues you and your puppy will encounter, and the best ways of dealing with them. If you are looking for new puppy tips here are some of them:

Chewing

Chewing is completely normal behaviour for puppies—but it can get out of hand pretty quickly if you don’t watch out for it! Make sure your puppy has plenty of toys and chew bones that are appropriate for their age, so they don’t go overboard with their gnawing needs. If they start chewing on things that aren’t meant for chewing (like furniture or shoes), be sure to correct them immediately so they learn not to chew on inappropriate things.

Besides this, it is important to start thinking about vet services and how your dog will behave in his first vet visit.

Nipping

Puppies love to nip. They’re just little teeth-y monsters who want to play with your toes and hands. Don’t worry, though, it’s totally normal! Just make sure that when you get your puppy, you give them plenty of chew toys and teach them what’s okay to nibble on and what isn’t. If they start nipping at people (or anything else), be sure to correct them immediately so they learn not to bite humans.

Whining

New puppies are often whiney because they’re missing their mom and littermates. They may whine when you leave them alone in the house or when you try to put them in their crate for naps or bedtime. This is normal behaviour for a puppy who hasn’t bonded with its owner yet, but if it persists beyond three months of age (and especially if your pup whines all day long), it’s a sign that something is wrong, either physically or behaviourally.

Jumping up on people 

Puppies are full of energy and excitement about new things, which is why they love to jump up on people and get their attention. You need to teach your puppy that jumping up isn’t allowed. The best way to do this is by gently pushing him down and saying “off” or “no jump” every time your pup jumps up. Then reward him with praise when he behaves appropriately.

Eating everything they can find

Puppies are notorious for eating everything in sight, including things they should not eat! Make sure your puppy is safe by keeping all dangerous items out of reach. This includes food, medications, small objects like coins or buttons, electrical cords, and more. If your puppy does eat something that could be harmful, take them to the vet immediately.

It is necessary to keep your dog well fed. However, it is important to get your puppy all the vaccines. This will keep your puppy save and healthy from the beginning.

Peeing in the house

Pooping/peeing indoors is probably the most common issue new puppy owners face. Make sure that your dog has good access to the outdoors. This means a safe place to do their business—like an enclosed yard or a dog run—and plenty of opportunities to go outside every day, even if it’s just for a quick walk around the block. If you don’t have an enclosed outdoor area for them, you’ll need to take them out on leash often for walks so that they can do their business.

Excessive barking

Barking is a normal behaviour for dogs, but excessive barking can be a sign that your puppy isn’t getting enough exercise and stimulation or that he’s bored and stressed out. A good rule of thumb is that if your dog barks constantly, he needs more exercise and attention.

When it comes to any pet, the more you know about what to expect, the better prepared you’ll be. So, keep these helpful tips in mind when bringing a puppy into your home, and make sure you’re ready for what comes next.

In the end, here are some additional things that most probably you didn’t know about new puppies. What are some unusual things/tips/advice most new puppy owners probably don’t know?

For more information please contact Langley Animal Clinic.

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