Indications that your
pet might be in need of dental care would include the presence of a red stripe along the gum line, unpleasant odor from the mouth, reluctance to chew, change in chewing behaviors, inability to see the teeth due to calculus accumulation, reluctance to allow home care, broken teeth, discolored teeth, loose teeth, draining or swelling
around the face or jaw, decreased appetite, swellings or enlargements of the oral tissues, difficulty in swallowing, rubbing the face with a paw (sometimes resulting in eye
irritation), rubbing the face on the carpet, and other signs as well.
While most people fret over poinsettias making their
pets sick
around the holidays, the truth is that these festive red plants only cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal
irritation.