Pets can suffer from toothache just like humans, but they may not show the same signs. As a pet parent, it’s your responsibility to recognize and respond to any pain symptoms in your furry friend.
Read on to learn more.
What causes toothache in pets?
Toothache in pets is commonly caused by a broken or decaying tooth, infection, abscessed tooth, periodontal disease, jaw fractures, or a foreign body in the mouth. Other potential causes include dietary deficiencies and trauma to the jaw.
Your cats or dogs can’t tell you when something is wrong in their mouth. In some cases, they even eat and behave normally despite chronic pain in their mouth. These dental problems can lead to more serious health conditions like weight loss and malnutrition when left unaddressed.
That’s why it’s important to prevent toothache in the first place. Ensure that you brush your pet’s teeth at least twice a week, use dental chew toys to help remove plaque and tartar, and take them for regular check-ups by a veterinary dentist.
What are the signs of toothache in pets?
If you feel your pet may have a toothache, look out for the following signs:
- Bad breath (halitosis) or drooling. It may seem gross but smell your pet’s breath to check for unusual odors. Typically, pets’ breaths should smell nothing in particular, just like humans.
- Changes in eating habits. Check your pet’s food bowl daily to see if they’re eating less than usual. They may also chew or swallow their food differently than normal due to discomfort. For example, your pet may take a few bites of food and stop eating altogether.
- Lack of energy or irritability. If your pet is usually active but suddenly tired, it could be a sign that something’s wrong. They may also become unexpectedly grumpy or seem uninterested in activities they usually enjoy.
- Excessive pawing at the mouth or face rubbing. If you notice your pet trying to scratch its face or paw at its mouth, it could be trying to relieve pain there.
- Bleeding gums or discoloration in teeth. Look closely at your pet’s mouth while eating and check if there are visible signs of damage or discoloration in their teeth or gums.
- Trouble drinking water. If your pet is having trouble drinking water, it could be a sign of pain in the mouth. Pay attention to how they drink and whether they’re making any noises or wincing in discomfort.
- Swelling around the jaw area or discolored gums. Swelling or discolored gums can signify infection or an abscessed tooth. Look at your pet’s mouth for any signs of inflammation or discoloration.
- Uncharacteristic aggression when touched near the face. If your pet usually enjoys affection but becomes aggressive when touched around the face, it could be a sign of pain. Pay attention to your pet’s behavior and look for any signs that it’s uncomfortable with being handled in certain areas. One way to do this is during pet grooming when bathing or brushing its fur.
- Visible abscesses on gum tissues. Abscesses on gum tissues indicate a severe dental issue in pets. These abscesses are usually caused by an infection or accumulation of pus in the affected area, resulting in swelling and inflammation. Visible abscesses can appear as red bumps around the gums, and they may be accompanied by bad breath, drooling, discoloration of teeth or gums, and difficulty eating or drinking.
Note that they may only show some of these signs at a time. Similarly, some of these are also associated with other ailments, so you must get your pet checked by a vet if you notice any of the above signs.
Conclusion
Toothache in pets can be a serious, if not deadly, condition that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. If you see any of the signs mentioned above in your pet, contact your veterinarian immediately for an evaluation. Meanwhile, prevention is the best way to go. Regular oral check-ups and cleanings can help keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy and reduce their risk of experiencing toothache or oral pain in the future.
