PET TALK With Dr Liza Schneider

Does your pet have sore teeth that can lead to other health issues like a weakened immune system, heart and kidney disease? Common signs include bad breath, red gums, the avoidance of harder foods, repetitive lip licking, drooling and sometimes weight loss, increased drinking and lethargy.

Pets with dental disease often need to have their teeth cleaned and sometimes even extracted but there are many ways to prevent dental disease from progressing

Feeding a well-balanced diet helps the body to have a normal pH and the right nutrients available to ensure minerals in saliva are available to maintain and repair teeth and that the mouth environment is inhospitable for the proliferation of pathological, disease-causing bacteria. Mechanical action by chewing an appropriately-sized raw bone, dental chews or tooth-brushing is invaluable.

Good dental care will help to promote the health and wellbeing of your pet and is an investment that is well worthwhile. It's never too late to start!