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Dental Health

At Dean Park Pet Hospital we care a lot about your pet’s overall health, but we feel it’s safe to say that dental health is our passion. There are so many benefits from keeping your pet’s mouth clean including, prevention of heart and other systemic diseases, prevention of gingivitis and not to mention, fresher kisses for you! Click the links below to see how to brush your pet’s teeth and signs of periodontal disease to watch for.

How to Brush Your Pet's TeethPeriodontal Disease StagesHealthyMouth Brochure

What are Acceptable Chew Toys?

Our general rule of thumb when it comes to choosing a chew toy for your dog is, if you can’t break it or bend it with your hands, it’s not acceptable for their mouth. Dogs use their teeth as tools, so giving them something like a bone or antler increases their chances of breaking a tooth.

What Kind of Dental Treats and Diets are Best?

When deciding on which dental treat or diet to feed your pet, we recommend looking for one with the VOHC seal. This means that the diet has been approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council and has been put through quality control and testing to prove it works on removing and preventing plaque and tartar. Learn more about it by clicking here.

The Danger of Tennis Balls

Tennis balls, though a popular item for dogs to play fetch, are not recommended due to their abrasive surface. Tennis balls tend to rub on the enamel of your dogs teeth, causing it to wear over time. Not to mention that once fragmented, tennis balls pose a significant choking hazard. We suggest opting for a soft hockey ball which floats or a Kong or Chuck-It when looking for a good fetch option.