You know to brush twice a day, floss and visit the dentist every six months, because your teeth are important. So why do so many pet owners ignore their own pets' dental care? Waipahu Waikele Pet Hospital provides leading expertise on every aspect of your pet's wellbeing, including their oral health. Residents of Waipahu and the surrounding locations benefit from comprehensive animal care, including pet dentistry, cancer care, alternative treatments, stem cell therapy and emergency after-hours service, in addition to standard pet medicine services. 

Waipahu Waikele Pet Hospital offers these tips for keeping your pet's teeth and gums healthy:

• Use Animal Toothbrushes: When possible, get your dog used to brushing when he's a puppy. Ask Waipahu Waikele Pet Hospital about their selection of dog toothbrushes and edible toothpaste for sale. If brushing your dog's teeth gets difficult, you can still scrape away tartar and plaque by having him chew on products like knucklebone and rawhide. Similar products are available for cats.

• Veterinary Dentistry: Like human dentistry, pet dentistry involves regular cleanings, fillings, extraction and repair. Bring your pet to a veterinarian at Waipahu Waikele Pet Hospital at least once per year to keep on top of their oral health. General anesthesia is available and recommended to keep your pet still during treatment.

• Protect Your Pet From Periodontal Disease: You may recognize this as a common human condition, which involves bacterial infection of the gum line, leading to tooth mobility and often tooth loss. Pets can get it too. An estimated 85% of dogs over age four suffer from periodontal disease. Brushing is the best way to prevent against it, but dry pet food is another way to stave off tartar build up. Ask your local pet doctor about effective brushes and chew products for cats and dogs.

For more information on pet health, or to schedule an appointment with the best veterinarians in Hawaii, call Waipahu Waikele Pet Hospital at (808) 671-7387. You can also visit them online to read more about their services.