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Dental Care

Support your pet's health with professional dental cleanings, exams, and oral care you can trust.

Pet Dental Care: Keeping Your Pet’s Smile Healthy for Life
Just like humans, pets need regular dental care to stay healthy and happy. Dental disease is one of the most common—and often overlooked—health issues in dogs and cats. Left untreated, it can lead to painful infections, tooth loss, and even impact vital organs like the heart and kidneys.

What Is Pet Dental Care?

Pet dental care involves the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases that affect your pet’s teeth, gums, and mouth. It includes:

  • Routine dental exams

  • Professional cleanings under anesthesia

  • Dental X-rays to check below the gumline

  • Treatment of periodontal disease

  • Extractions (if necessary)

  • At-home dental hygiene guidance

Why Is Dental Care Important for Pets?

By the age of 3, most pets already show signs of periodontal disease. Unfortunately, the early signs—bad breath, tartar buildup, or red gums—often go unnoticed until they become more serious.

Dental disease doesn’t just stay in the mouth. Bacteria can enter the bloodstream and affect your pet’s liver, kidneys, and heart. Routine dental care helps prevent these complications and improves your pet’s overall quality of life.

What Happens During a Dental Visit?

At our veterinary hospital, your pet’s dental care typically involves:

  1. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork to ensure your pet is healthy enough for anesthesia.

  2. Full-mouth examination and digital dental X-rays to assess the teeth and jaw health, including what can’t be seen above the gumline.

  3. Ultrasonic scaling to remove plaque and tartar buildup.

  4. Polishing to smooth the tooth surface and slow future buildup.

  5. Extractions if teeth are broken, loose, or infected (only if necessary).

  6. Pain management and post-procedure care to ensure your pet is comfortable.

All procedures are performed with your pet’s safety and comfort as our top priorities. We use advanced monitoring and gentle techniques throughout.

How Can I Help at Home?

While professional cleanings are key, home care is just as important. Your veterinarian can recommend:

  • Pet-safe toothbrushes and toothpaste

  • Dental chews or diets

  • Water additives or oral rinses

Even a few minutes of brushing several times a week can make a big difference.

Common Signs of Dental Trouble

Keep an eye out for:

  • Bad breath

  • Drooling

  • Difficulty chewing

  • Red or bleeding gums

  • Pawing at the mouth

  • Loose or missing teeth

If you notice any of these signs, schedule a dental exam promptly.

Your pet’s mouth is a window into their overall health. Regular dental care isn’t just about a cleaner smile, it’s about helping your furry companion live a longer, healthier life.

🐾 Looking to keep your pet healthy and happy? Visit us—we’re here to support every step of the way.

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Frequently Asked Questions

There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team.

Cottage Pet Hospital only sees cats and dogs.

Cottage Pet Hospital accepts debit cards, credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express) checks, and cash. All cards must be signed by the owner of the card. We also accept CareCredit and Scratchpay. To learn more about our payment options, please visit our payment options page.

Cottage Pet Hospital is open 7 days a week! Monday - Friday: 7:30 am to 7:00 pm Saturday: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Sunday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Cottage Pet Hospital accepts booking on Mondays through Fridays, we prefer to see patients by appointment, which allows us to efficiently schedule a special time for you and your pet. Our receptionists and team will attempt to accommodate all requests to the best of our ability. Appointments are required every day of the week, but can accept walk-ins Monday-Friday upon availability. We also offer convenient drop-off appointments at no extra charge, please call for details! Emergencies are accepted anytime our clinic is open. If you feel you have an emergency with your pet, please call us or come to the hospital immediately. If possible it is best to call before coming in so that a staff member can advise you on your particular emergency. Please understand that we do see pets based on urgency, so if an emergency situation arises at the time of your appointment, please be patient, as you will also receive our undivided attention as soon as possible!

At Cottage Pet Hospital Your veterinarian will start the exam by asking you questions about your pet's lifestyle, diet, and health history. It is important to mention any unusual behavior such as: - Excessive urination - Excessive drinking of water - Excessive panting - Eating more or less than usual - Vomiting - Diarrhea - Excessive scratching - Coughing - Weight gain - Difficulty walking, running, or getting up in the morning In some circumstances, Dr. Sahai, DVM will refer you to a specialist who has advanced expertise in areas such as internal medicine or surgery. Having a healthy pet can provide you peace of mind and a very happy four-legged buddy. Regular wellness exams will allow both you and your pet to live a long life together!

Keeping your pet healthy starts with you and a visit to your veterinary doctor for a wellness exam. Here at Cottage Pet Hospital Regular wellness exams can help detect problems in its early stages, which is especially important with older patients. A typical wellness exam can include a physical exam, vaccinations, blood tests, urinalysis, and a parasite screening. These wellness checks and vaccinations can help prevent life-threatening diseases. Without prevention, your pet could become very sick and can be very expensive to treat. Only a professional can provide a proper evaluation of your furbaby's overall health. Your veterinarian can offer recommendations for your pet based on their age, sex, and breed. Regular exams can offer suggestions specifically made for your pet's diet, playtime, and lifestyle based on their health and risk factors.