Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is the most common disease to affect dogs and cats. It is estimated that approximately 80% of dogs will have some form of periodontal disease by 3 years of age. The cause and progression of periodontal disease in animals is the same as in people. Treatment and prevention is also the same as in people, but unfortunately animals cannot do this for themselves and so it is the owners’ responsibility to provide appropriate oral home care. This is not always possible to provide, even with the most committed owners, due to the patients demeanor and tolerance of dental home care techniques.

Therefore, in general, annual professional periodontal therapy is recommended in conjunction with daily oral home care. The ‘Gold’ standard of care is daily brushing of the teeth. If this cannot be provided, there is an abundance of water additives, rinses, chews and dental specific diets that can be used to help reduce plaque and tartar buildup between professional dental cleanings.

Because there are very few industry standards when it comes to pet treats, chews and claims made about efficacy; the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) was created to evaluate these claims. Please visit their website for an up-to-date list of approved items.