Our pets are now living much longer than they were 20 years ago thanks to better nutrition, homelife and veterinary care. In recent years, the ages of our pet dogs and cats (and milestone life stages) have been redefined; Cats are now considered ‘‘senior’’ once they reach 11 years of age, and for dogs its around age 7 (although this varies on their breeding).
As our pets grow older, there are many changes to their physiology, behaviour and vulnerability to illnesses. Physiological changes typically include reduced abilities to:
- Smell and taste
- Digest fat and protein
- Hearing
- Immune function
- Stress tolerance
In their senior years, you might also notice several changes to your dog or cats’ behaviour including sleeping for longer periods, developing a fussy appetite, less keen to play or groom themselves and little-to-no desire to go outside. Ageing pets also tend to become more insecure and dependent on you (which leads us onto our next point):
Just like us, as our pets age they are more susceptible to illnesses. And old teeth and gums can be a hive for bacteria so it’s important to regularly check your pet for signs of any growths, reddening of the gums or evidence of dental disease. Unfortunately, our pets can’t verbalise to us if they’re in any discomfort so they’ll depend on us to check and identify any issues.
Halitosis (bad breath), drooling, a ‘‘chattering’’ jaw, loss of appetite and pawing at the mouth are all signs of dental disease, but if you are in any doubt remember to speak to your vet.
Increased Risk Factors for Senior Pets
There are several ways you can prevent dental diseases taking over your pets mouth which we’ve covered previously in our Doggie Dental Care and Dental Care for Cats blogs; These include brushing their teeth with a pet-friendly tooth brush and toothpaste, dental chews and toys, a professional teeth clean at the vets and changing your pets’ diet to a food type specially formulated to help maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Research from the Royal Veterinary College found aging was strongly associated with an increased risk of dental diseases in dogs aged 12 years and above at 3.91 times the risk compared to dogs aged 2 to 4 years. Dental diseases are also a very common condition in cats especially as they get older. In fact, studies report that between 50-90% of cats older than 4 years of age suffer from some form of dental disease. These statistics are staggering and highlight the need for human intervention when it comes to the dental care of our older pets. If bacteria (plaque or tartar) builds in the mouth and goes untreated throughout your pets adult life, they’ll be at high risk of developing a number of preventable dental diseases which will inflict a great deal of pain and upset.
Pain-Free Pets
The most common dental problems in senior dogs are periodontal disease and fractured teeth. In ageing cats, gingivitis, periodontitis and tooth resorption are the most common oral health issues. Here’s what you need to know about each common dental disease and how you can protect your precious pet in their older years:
Periodontal disease (also known as gum disease).
What is it: A serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue which, without treatment, can destroy the bone that supports the teeth.
Risks: Painful abscesses, loose teeth or tooth loss, and associated infections that could lead to heart disease or permanent jaw damage.
Treatable: Yes. Gum disease in pets is preventable (with regular cleaning), treatable (with brushing, chews and an appropriate diet), and curable dependant on the severity (the secondary stage of periodontal disease causes irreversible damage eg tooth loss).
Fractured teeth
What is it: Often caused by chewing on hard objects eg antlers, bones or other hard and non-bending toys.
Risks: Pain and sensitivity to heat, cold and pressure. The inside of the tooth fills with infected material that eventually trickles through the openings into the tip of the root into the jaw. Since the bacteria has a secure hiding place inside the root canal, the body’s immune system is unable to clear the infection even with antibiotic treatment.
Treatable: Yes, through root canal therapy or extraction…. Ouch!
Gingivitis
What is it: A condition in which the gums around the teeth become inflamed (red, swollen and painful). The inflammation is usually the result of a build-up of plaque that harbors bacteria on the teeth.
Risks: Untreated gingivitis can progress to gum disease that spreads to underlying tissue and bone, and can lead to tooth loss.
Treatable: Yes. It usually clears up after a professional clean as long as owners continue to practice good oral hygiene at home.
Tooth resorption
What is it: Where the hard tissue beneath the enamel of the tooth erodes.
Risks: If the crown of the tooth is affected then the dentin and nerve can become exposed, resulting in chronic pain and infection.
Treatable: Yes, through extraction (which in this case can be a complex procedure since the tooth is very fragile and can fracture easily).
Protecting our Senior Pets Quality of Life
It’s no secret that our oral health can have a massive effect on our general health, wellbeing and even our quality of life. And it’s no different for our pets. Just like us, it’s extremely common for the family dog or pet cat to suffer with dental diseases, particularly in their older years, and when they do it can cause a lot of pain and upset. Have you ever suffered from a bad tooth ache and can you remember how painful it was… It’s just like that for our animals.
Our pets, particularly cats, can be exceptionally good at hiding their discomfort, so identifying any diseases wreaking havoc in their mouths can be tricky. Whether the discomfort is caused suddenly by a broken tooth or from a gradual pain caused by a build-up of plaque, it can have a big impact on their happiness and overall quality of life. If you think your dog or cat might be experiencing any dental upset there are several tell-tale signs that include subtle behavioural changes such as depression or aggression towards other pets or even you and other family members.
It is so important to maintain your pet’s oral health in their senior years as they are more vulnerable to developing dental diseases and, once they take hold of your pet’s mouth, they can be extremely painful, potentially causing irreversible damage, and effect their overall quality of life. #RookesRecommends pet owners ensure the mouths of their four-legged friends are happy and healthy by regularly checking for a build-up of plaque, tartar and inflamed or bleeding gums in addition to an annual dental clean at the vets. Your dog or cat will thank you for it… In their own way, of course!
And remember, if you’re concerned your pet is experiencing any oral pain, contact your vet as soon as possible.