09/02/2026
🪥🦷The 9th of February is National Tooth Ache Day 🪥🦷
Do you know the signs of Tooth Ache in Cats and Dogs?
Being able to know the signs of dental pain in cats and dogs is important to help prevent pain, infections, tooth loss and even serious conditions like heart disease and kidney problems, which can be secondary to untreated dental issues.
Here are some common signs of dental problems in pets:
🦷Bad Breath: Persistent foul-smelling breath
🦷Difficulty eating: Difficulty eating/chewing on one side/dropping food/jumping away from the food bowl can all be signs that your pet is experiencing dental pain. However, most dogs and cats will still manage to eat, even with severe dental issues. Just because your pet is still eating, does not necessarily mean that it is not in pain.
🦷Tartar and plaque build-up: Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the tooth surface over time. This deposits on your pets' teeth and over time turns yellow or brown.
🦷Red or bleeding gums: Gums should be pink and firm. Red, swollen or bleeding gums are a clear sign of gum disease.
Drooling: Excessive saliva (With or without blood) is a sign of oral discomfort.
🦷Loose or Broken Teeth: It is not normal for your pets' teeth to fall out. Both dogs and cats have two sets of teeth like us (Baby teeth and adult teeth). Imagine if your adult teeth started to “just fall out” - Ever had tooth ache – Dogs and cats feel pain the same as us.
🦷Pawing at the Mouth or Face: Pets may paw at their mouth or rub their face due to discomfort.
🦷Weight Loss or Behavioural Changes: Avoiding food, losing weight, or becoming withdrawn may indicate dental pain.
🦷Facial Swelling: Swelling around the jaw or face may be a sign of an abscess or infection.
Dental care including brushing, regular dental checks and using home dental products is essential to maintaining your pet's quality of life and may even extend their lifespan
😧FACT: Most dogs and cats don't stop eating, even when they are experiencing severe dental pain (Unlike us)
😧FACT: 70% of cats and 80% of dogs require some sort of dental treatment by the time they are 3 years old. That means, on average, 7 out of every 10 cats and 8 out of every 10 dogs are in some degree of dental pain
😧FACT: Most owners haven't tried to brush their pets' teeth – imagine not brushing your teeth for 3 years! 🤢
Why not book a FREE NURSE DENTAL CHECK today