September is national Hill’s Pet Dental Month
It’s not only people who should ‘brush up’ for better health. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, eight out of ten cats and dogs have developed oral disease by the age of four and it is the condition most commonly diagnosed by vets. September is national Oral Health Month and time to remember that pets need dental care too.
Oral disease is caused by a build up of bacteria and debris on the teeth called plaque. If not removed, plaque mineralises into tartar which can cause gum irritation and further plaque build-up. Symptoms include discoloured teeth, smelly breath, tender and bleeding gums, pain, tooth decay and tooth loss. And even worse, the bacteria and toxins present in an infected mouth can enter the bloodstream and affect vital organs, causing serious illnesses including heart and kidney disease. So for older animals oral disease can be a life sentence.
Hill’s Science Plan Oral Care and Hill’s Prescription Diet® t/d are the only complete foods in South Africa that have been awarded the American Veterinary Oral Health Council Seal of Acceptance for tartar AND plaque control. Nutritionally balanced and suitable for daily feeding on a long-term basis, the kibbles have a special fibre matrix that works like an edible toothbrush, scrubbing the pet’s teeth as it eats.
Although actually brushing the animal’s teeth is recommended as the most effective to prevent oral disease, it is not always easy to do. Hill’s offers a more convenient option - simply feed your pet a food that cleans its teeth as it eats.
Hill’s is available exclusively from veterinary practices and vet shops. For more information visit www.hillspet.co.za or call (0800) 228 783 or find Hill’s on Facebook. For expert advice speak to your vet.