Taking the very best care of your dog’s smile

Did you know that dogs over three-years-old have a significant chance of already having dental disease?

This is really bad news, as the impact can be extremely tough for our dogs to cope with. Poor dental health and gum disease are so common that the British Veterinary Dental Association states that most dogs over three have gum disease requiring treatment. According to The Royal Veterinary College, periodontal disease affects over 90% of adult dogs.

However, the great news is that by taking good care of your dog’s teeth, you can drastically reduce their chances of suffering the pain and problems connected with dental and gum disease. And should they need any treatment, Agria Pet Insurance is there to help.

Robin Hargreaves, Senior Veterinary Adviser at Agria Pet Insurance, explains:

“Our dogs should be with us into their teens, but the animals they evolved from didn’t live anything like to this age – and so their teeth are not designed for longevity. Left uncared for, the likelihood is that they will deteriorate, giving your dog gum disease and mouth and gum pain. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

“Encourage your dog to chew on something appropriate to use their teeth. Nothing too hard to break their teeth, and nothing that will break or splinter and get stuck in their mouth or digestive tract. Those on a soft diet can really benefit from something that involves properly using their teeth to help keep the surfaces clean.

“Also, something very important owners can do is to get into the habit of cleaning their dog’s teeth. Start as early as you can so it’s not scary for them and they get used to it from a young age, and always reward them afterwards. Cleaning dogs’ teeth is effective and helps to keep the tartar down – which otherwise traps food against the gums, erodes them back and causes infections.”

NEVER use human toothpaste with a dog. It is toxic and can be fatal. Always use toothpaste that's made specifically for dogs. 

With dental disease being so common, it often comes as a shock to owners how few pet insurers provide cover for treatment for it, which can make it impossible to claim should veterinary care be required.

Fortunately, with Agria Pet Insurance, treatment for dental disease, illness and injury is included, helping owners to access any treatment their pet might need before problems become more serious.