Information for Owners

Good oral health is an important part of good general health for your pet.

Signs of oral and dental diseases in dogs and cats:
- Bad breath.
- Loose teeth or teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar.
- Your pet shies away from you when you touch the mouth area.
- Drooling or dropping food from the mouth.
- Bleeding from the mouth.
- Loss of appetite or loss of weight (this combination can result from diseases of many organs, and early veterinary examination is important).
If you think your pet needs dental care, the College recommends that you make an appointment with your veterinarian, who will recommend a referral to an AVDC diplomate if indicated, or you may contact an AVDC Veterinary Dentist directly. Please note that the AVDC does not respond to enquiries about individual patients.

Plaque and Tartar Control

Prevention of the most common oral disease in pets (and in people!) consists of frequent removal of the dental plaque and tartar that forms on teeth that are not kept clean. The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC®) awards its Seal of Acceptance to products that successfully meet pre-set criteria for effectiveness in controlling plaque and tartar deposition in dogs and cats. The VOHC is an entity of the American Veterinary Dental College. If you would like information on products that will help control deposition of dental plaque and tartar on the teeth of your pet, click Veterinary Oral Health Council.

National Pet Dental Health Campaign!

AVDC is proud to partner with the American Veterinary Dental Society, the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry, the American Veterinary Medical Association, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. and the Veterinary Oral Health Council, in sponsoring activities that will help to increase understanding of the importance of oral health for our pets. For information, click National Pet Dental Health Campaign