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Clear guidance on dental health for dogs and cats: symptoms, diagnostics, safe anaesthesia, treatment and home care.
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General anaesthesia for dogs and cats: is it safe?
No anaesthetic is risk-free, but the risk can be reduced considerably. How your pet's health is assessed, what happens during anaesthesia and why age is not a disease.
Why does my dog have bad breath?
Persistent bad breath should not be dismissed as just a quirk of the animal — most often it is linked to the condition of the mouth.
Tooth resorption in cats (TR): signs, stages, treatment
A red spot at the gum line, a “hole” or a tooth that seems to have vanished — this is often what tooth resorption (TR) looks like in cats. How to recognise it, why dental X-rays are needed and how it is treated.
What is COHAT and why is it more than a dental clean?
COHAT is not just a professional dental clean — it is comprehensive dental diagnostics under anaesthesia with assessment of every tooth and a treatment plan when indicated.
Popular questions from owners
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How a dog’s and cat’s mouth works: nerves, blood supply, balance and the protective barrier
Signs of tooth pain in dogs: how to tell and what to do
Stomatitis in dogs: what it looks like, why it hurts and how it is treated
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Found: 74
What is COHAT and why is it more than a dental clean?
COHAT is not just a professional dental clean — it is comprehensive dental diagnostics under anaesthesia with assessment of every tooth and a treatment plan when indicated.
Why you can't use human toothpaste
Human dental products are not designed for animals that swallow toothpaste. For home care, use only veterinary products.
How to prepare a dog or cat for a dental procedure
Individual preparation for a dental procedure under anaesthesia: what to tell the vet, how to reduce stress, and what to bring.
Oral cavity treatment and COHAT
Oral cavity treatment can mean very different things in practice. I explain how it differs from a routine clean and from the full COHAT protocol.
How to choose a veterinary dentist
An owner checklist: how to assess a veterinary dentist's approach, which questions to ask before a procedure, and what a full diagnostic work-up should include.
Life for a cat without teeth after full-mouth extraction
Many cats adapt to feeding and keep a good quality of life after all teeth are removed — if the extent of extraction was clinically justified and there is a recovery plan.
Diagnosing a growth on the gums in a dog or cat
A growth on the gums needs examination even if it is small: its nature cannot be reliably determined from appearance alone.
Diagnosis and treatment of an unerupted tooth in a dog
A missing permanent tooth in a dog needs dental radiography: the tooth may be unerupted and hide dentigerous cyst risk.
Diagnosis and treatment of an oronasal fistula in a dog
An oronasal fistula is an abnormal connection between the oral and nasal cavities; in dogs it is often linked to severe periodontal disease of the upper teeth.
Online veterinary dentist consultation: when you are not in Kyiv
Not in Kyiv but worried about your pet's teeth? How an online consultation on Telegram works, what photos and videos can show — and what needs an examination and dental radiographs.
Anaesthesia-free dog teeth cleaning: why it is risky
After an anaesthesia-free cleaning the teeth look white, but the plaque under the gums — where periodontal disease develops — stays. An honest look at the risks and at how professional cleaning under anaesthesia works.
Removing dog tartar at home: what works and what does not
Established tartar cannot be removed safely at home, but you can stop new tartar from forming. Which home methods work, which are myths, and when tartar means it is time to see a dentist.
Yellow, brown and black teeth in dogs: what it means
Dark teeth are most often plaque and tartar, but a pink, grey or fractured tooth means something quite different. I go through each colour: what it can mean and how urgent it is.
Why is my cat losing teeth? Causes and what to do
Kittens change their teeth, but in an adult cat a lost tooth is a sign of disease. Why it happens, what may be left in the gum and why dental radiographs matter.
Signs of tooth pain in cats: how to tell and what to do
Cats hide tooth pain and usually keep eating. Which small changes in behaviour give it away, what most often hurts and what you must never give a cat from your medicine cabinet.
Cavities in cats? Why it is usually tooth resorption
What owners mistake for cavities in cats, how tooth resorption (TR) differs from caries and why a “hole” in a cat's tooth is not filled.
Acetone, urine or fishy breath: when it isn’t the teeth
Sweet, acetone-like breath, or breath that smells of urine, fish or rot: what each may mean, when it is urgent and why blood and urine tests sometimes come before a dental clean.
How many teeth do dogs and cats have? Dental formula and chart
An adult dog has 42 teeth and a cat has 30. I explain the dental formula, tooth types, the numbering veterinary dentists use, and when a missing or 'extra' tooth needs a check-up.
When do puppies lose their baby teeth? A teething calendar
A puppy's temporary (baby) teeth come through at 3–6 weeks and are replaced by permanent teeth from 4 to 7 months. A month-by-month calendar, what is normal and when to book a check-up.
Kitten teething: timeline and what is normal
Kittens get their temporary teeth at 2–6 weeks and their permanent teeth from about 4 to 7 months. What is normal during kitten teething and which signs need a check-up.
Stomatitis in cats: what it looks like, symptoms and treatment
Bright red, ulcerated tissue at the back of the mouth, pain when eating, drooling and strong bad breath — this is how chronic gingivostomatitis often looks. How to tell it from gingivitis and why medication alone does not solve it.
Which bones can dogs have — and which break teeth
An honest answer from a veterinary dentist: no bone is safe for teeth. What most often breaks dogs' teeth, how to check a chew with your thumbnail and what to give instead.
General anaesthesia for dogs and cats: is it safe?
No anaesthetic is risk-free, but the risk can be reduced considerably. How your pet's health is assessed, what happens during anaesthesia and why age is not a disease.
Pulpitis in a dog or cat: signs, causes and treatment
Pulpitis is inflammation of the living part of a tooth. It most often starts after a fracture or a knock, and it hurts even though the animal keeps eating. I explain how to spot it, how it is treated and why it is not worth waiting.
Gingivitis in dogs and cats: what it looks like, causes and treatment
A red line along the gums, blood on the toothbrush and bad breath — this is what gingivitis looks like. I explain how it differs from periodontitis, why an examination under anaesthesia is needed and how to get the gums healthy again.
Tartar in cats: why it forms and how it is removed
What tartar on a cat's teeth is, why it matters more than it seems, why it cannot be removed at home and how to stop new tartar forming.
Anaesthesia for senior dogs and cats: can older pets have dental treatment?
Age is not a disease: an older pet's anaesthetic risk depends on its health. Which tests are needed, how the risk is reduced and why dental treatment should not be put off.
Dental problems in small dog breeds: Yorkie, Russian Toy, Pomeranian, Chihuahua
Why Yorkies, Russian Toys, Pomeranians and Chihuahuas develop dental disease earlier than large dogs, how it puts the jaw at risk and how to care for a small mouth.
Brachycephalic dental issues: French bulldogs, pugs, Persian cats
Why brachycephalic dogs and cats have crowded teeth, when an underbite is just a breed trait, why a missing tooth needs X-rays and how anaesthesia is planned.
Cat fell from a window: jaw, palate and tooth injuries
What to do if your cat fell from a window or balcony: why emergency care comes first, how to recognise a broken jaw, a split palate and broken teeth, and how they are treated.
Malocclusion in puppies: when it's a problem and what to do
What a normal bite looks like in dogs, the classes of malocclusion, when a canine injures the palate and why a puppy's bite should be checked without delay.
Dental chews, sticks and dental diets: what actually works
What dental chews, sticks, diets and water additives can do, what they cannot, how to use the VOHC list and how to choose a chew without risking a broken tooth.
Lip ulcer in cats: eosinophilic granuloma or a problem in the mouth?
What an indolent (rodent) ulcer of the upper lip and eosinophilic granulomas in the mouth look like, what they can be confused with and what a veterinary dentist does when an ulcer will not heal.
Cavities in dogs: what tooth decay looks like, why it matters and how it is treated
Dogs do get cavities — most often on the chewing surface of the large back teeth. I explain what dog tooth decay looks like, how it differs from staining, wear or a chipped tooth and how it is treated depending on its depth.
How a dog’s and cat’s mouth works: nerves, blood supply, balance and the protective barrier
A pet’s mouth is more than teeth. I show the nerves, blood vessels, balance of forces and protective barrier in diagrams and explain what this means for daily care.
Signs of tooth pain in dogs: how to tell and what to do
A dog can empty its bowl while living with a broken tooth or periodontal disease. I explain which changes in play, chewing and behaviour give dental pain away, what most often hurts in different breeds and what is safe to do before the examination.
Stomatitis in dogs: what it looks like, why it hurts and how it is treated
Ulcers on the inside of the lips and cheeks where they touch plaque-covered teeth, severe pain and a heavy odour — this is what chronic ulcerative paradental stomatitis looks like. I explain how to tell it from other ulcers and why plaque control is the basis of treatment.
Pain relief for toothache in dogs and cats — and what not to give
Human painkillers can poison a dog or cat, and even the right medicine does not treat the tooth. I explain what not to give, what to do before the examination and how we manage pain during treatment.
Antibiotics for dental disease: when they are needed and when they are not
An antibiotic can calm the gums or shrink a swelling for a while, but it does not remove tartar under the gums or a dead pulp. I explain when antibiotics are genuinely needed and when they only delay treatment.
Knocked-out or displaced tooth in a dog: first aid
A knocked-out tooth can sometimes be put back if you act quickly. I explain how to pick up and store the tooth, what to do with a tooth that has shifted, and what happens at the clinic.
Dark spot in a dog’s mouth: natural pigment or melanoma
Dark patches in the mouth are normal in many dogs. I explain what natural pigment looks like, which changes are a reason for an examination and why a suspicious spot should not be left to wait.
Oral papillomas in dogs: why they appear, whether they are contagious and when to remove them
Whitish, cauliflower-like growths on a young dog’s lips and gums often turn out to be viral papillomas. I explain how they are recognised, when it is fine to watch them and when they should be removed and checked.
Epulis in dogs: types, diagnosis and treatment
“Epulis” is a description, not a diagnosis. I explain how peripheral odontogenic fibroma, acanthomatous ameloblastoma and gum overgrowth differ, and why histopathology and imaging decide the extent of surgery.
Why are my cat’s gums bleeding?
Bleeding gums in a cat are neither a trifle nor “just age”. I explain how the gums hint at the cause, why it is confirmed under anaesthesia and what is safe to do at home.
How often does a cat need a dental check-up?
Cats put up with tooth pain in silence, so a mouth check is needed even without complaints. I explain how often to have one, who needs it more often, what an awake exam shows and when an assessment with X-rays is needed.
Can a broken tooth in a cat be saved?
In a cat, even a tiny chip off a canine can expose the pulp. I explain how to spot a fracture, when the tooth can be kept, when extraction is better and why not to wait, even if your cat is eating.
Myths about dog and cat teeth: what is true and what is not
Dry food, bones, “if they eat, nothing hurts”, anaesthesia-free cleaning, antibiotics “for teeth”. I briefly debunk 12 common myths and link to the in-depth articles.
How to check your dog’s or cat’s mouth at home: a monthly checklist
A 2–3 minute monthly mouth check at home: how to lift your dog’s or cat’s lip safely, what to look at in seven numbered points and when a finding is worth showing a vet.
Why has a tooth changed colour?
A darkened tooth can signal damage to the pulp; colour alone is not a diagnosis — dental X-rays are needed.
Can a diseased tooth cause swelling under the eye?
Swelling under the eye can come from infection in an upper canine — a dental emergency.
Why does my cat only eat on one side?
One-sided chewing in cats is a subtle sign of pain; it is often linked to TR or periodontitis.
How often does a dog need a dental check-up?
Regular check-ups help detect changes before obvious symptoms appear — I choose the frequency individually after the first visit.
When does a dog need a tooth extracted?
Extraction is not the first option, but sometimes it is the most sensible way to relieve pain; the decision is made only after dental X-rays.
Aftercare following tooth extraction
After extractions I give clear instructions — proper care at home helps avoid complications and speeds up recovery.
When does a cat need a tooth extracted?
In cats, extraction is often linked to TR or FCGS — the decision comes only after a full examination with dental X-rays.
What to do if your dog breaks a canine tooth
A broken canine is a common injury; a prompt examination and dental X-rays decide whether the tooth can be preserved.
How to brush a cat's teeth
Brushing a cat's teeth is harder than a dog's — but gradual acclimatisation with veterinary toothpaste can genuinely reduce plaque.
How to brush a dog's teeth properly
Regular brushing with veterinary toothpaste slows plaque build-up — it is the most effective home care, provided the technique is right.
Double canines in puppies
When a baby tooth has not fallen out in time and the permanent tooth erupts beside it, an examination is needed so that the bite is not spoiled.
Why is my dog refusing dry food?
Refusing dry food while the appetite for soft food is unchanged may be linked to discomfort or pain when chewing.
Can a broken tooth in a dog be saved?
The decision on whether to keep a broken tooth depends on the type of fracture, the condition of the pulp and the dental X-rays — not only on whether the root is intact.
What is periodontal disease in cats?
Periodontal disease in cats is a condition separate from TR and FCGS; it is often underestimated because a cat is so good at hiding pain.
Why do pets need dental X-rays?
Without X-rays it is impossible to assess the roots, the bone and hidden disease — which is where the main problem most often hides.
When should you see a veterinary dentist?
Dental problems in pets often develop unnoticed. These are the specific signs for which I advise not putting off an examination, even if your pet is eating and not complaining.
Why does my cat have bad breath?
In cats, bad breath is often linked to particular diseases of the mouth — tooth resorption, chronic gingivostomatitis or periodontitis.
Why does my dog have bad breath?
Persistent bad breath should not be dismissed as just a quirk of the animal — most often it is linked to the condition of the mouth.
Periodontal disease in dogs: what it is, stages, symptoms and treatment
Periodontal disease destroys the support of a tooth and often hurts without anyone noticing: the dog keeps eating. I explain the stages, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Tooth resorption in cats (TR): signs, stages, treatment
A red spot at the gum line, a “hole” or a tooth that seems to have vanished — this is often what tooth resorption (TR) looks like in cats. How to recognise it, why dental X-rays are needed and how it is treated.
Why is dentistry done under anaesthesia?
Anaesthesia is not a convenience but a condition for safe diagnostics, X-rays and treatment under the gums without pain for the animal.
Why are my dog’s gums bleeding?
Bleeding gums are an early sign of inflammation; owners often notice it late, when tartar is already there.
Blood from the mouth in a dog or cat: when an urgent examination is needed
Blood-tinged discharge from the mouth is not a minor issue: it often signals injury, inflammation or another painful condition in the oral cavity.
Why has my cat stopped grooming properly?
If a cat grooms less, the coat becomes dull or matted — among the causes may be pain when moving the jaw and tongue.
Why pets keep eating even with diseased teeth
Pets often mask chronic oral pain and may keep eating while changing how they chew. WSAVA guidance highlights this directly.
Tooth restoration (filling) in dogs
Tooth restoration (filling) is rebuilding tooth structure for medical reasons — not a cosmetic procedure "for appearance".