Dental Care for Dogs, Cats, and Small Animals in Abbotsford

Dental disease is one of the most common health concerns seen in veterinary practice, and one of the most underestimated by pet owners. By age three, many dogs and cats already show signs of periodontal disease, yet most pets receive little to no dental care at home. At Gladys Pet Hospital, dental health is treated as an important part of whole-pet wellness. Our AAHA-accredited team provides professional dental cleanings, tooth extractions, digital dental X-rays, and oral health assessments for dogs, cats, and small animals in Abbotsford, open seven days a week to make scheduling as convenient as possible.

Why Pet Dental Health Matters

The health of your pet's mouth is connected to their overall wellbeing in ways that are not always visible. Bacteria that accumulate on the teeth and along the gumline can enter the bloodstream over time and may be associated with changes in organ health. Beyond systemic effects, dental disease causes real discomfort, pain when eating, sensitivity to touch around the mouth, and a general reluctance to engage with toys or food. Because pets are skilled at masking discomfort, owners often do not notice a problem until it is significantly progressed. Regular professional dental care helps catch concerns early, before they become more complex to address.

Professional Dental Cleanings

A professional dental cleaning at Gladys Pet Hospital is performed under general anaesthesia to allow a thorough, safe cleaning of all tooth surfaces, including below the gumline where the most significant accumulation occurs. Our team scales, polishes, and thoroughly evaluates the mouth for signs of gum recession, pocketing, tooth mobility, root exposure, and lesions. Anaesthesia also allows us to take digital dental X-rays without the cooperation challenges that make conscious dental evaluation incomplete. We perform pre-anaesthetic screening before every cleaning to confirm your pet is healthy for the procedure, and continuous monitoring is maintained throughout.

Digital Dental X-Rays

The portion of the tooth above the gumline represents only a fraction of the overall structure. Root disease, bone loss, retained roots, and early resorptive lesions are all invisible to the naked eye during a standard examination. Digital dental X-rays allow our team to evaluate every tooth fully, and they consistently reveal concerns that would otherwise go undetected. In many cases, dental X-rays change the clinical picture significantly: what appeared to be a minor concern may reveal more significant root involvement, and apparently healthy-looking teeth may be found to have hidden disease. Our Abbotsford clinic uses digital dental imaging as a standard part of every dental procedure.

Tooth Extractions

When a tooth cannot be saved, due to root disease, fracture, significant mobility, or resorptive lesions, extraction is the most appropriate next step. While losing a tooth sounds significant, most pets adapt remarkably well and experience notable improvement in comfort once a diseased tooth is removed. Our team performs simple and surgical extractions, closing extraction sites appropriately and providing clear post-operative care instructions. Pets from Mission and surrounding communities regularly visit our clinic for dental extractions because our team has the equipment and experience to do the job properly the first time.

Oral Health Assessments

A thorough oral health assessment is performed at every wellness exam and as a standalone service when owners have concerns. Our team evaluates plaque and tartar accumulation, gum colour and texture, pocket depth, tooth integrity, ocular and palate health, and any lesions or masses. Based on findings, we will let you know where your pet's dental health stands and what we recommend for next steps, whether that is a professional cleaning, a dental X-ray series, a home care routine, or monitoring at the next visit.

Dental Care for Rabbits and Small Animals

Rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters have continuously growing teeth that require monitoring throughout their lives. Dental concerns in small animals, including overgrown incisors, molar spurs, and malocclusion, can significantly affect eating, drinking, and overall quality of life. Our team is experienced in small animal dental evaluation and provides appropriate assessment and supportive care for these species. If you have noticed your rabbit or guinea pig having difficulty eating or showing changes in food preferences, a dental evaluation is an important early step.

Explore More Services

Pet diagnostics including digital dental X-rays

Surgical services for oral and soft tissue procedures

Pet care services and wellness exams

FAQs

How often does my dog or cat need a professional dental cleaning?

Veterinarians generally recommend a professional dental cleaning once a year for most adult dogs and cats, though the right frequency depends on your pet’s individual plaque accumulation, breed, and home care routine. Smaller dog breeds and certain cat breeds tend to develop dental disease more quickly and may benefit from more frequent cleanings. Our team will assess your pet’s mouth and give you a personalized recommendation.

Is dental anaesthesia safe for my older dog or cat?

Anaesthesia carries some risk for every patient, and that risk increases with age and certain health conditions. However, untreated dental disease also carries real health consequences, and delaying care because of anaesthetic concern can allow problems to worsen. Our team performs pre-anaesthetic blood work and a health assessment before every procedure. We use tailored anaesthetic protocols and continuous monitoring to keep your pet as safe as possible throughout the cleaning.

Can I clean my dog's teeth at home instead of getting a professional cleaning?

Home dental care, including daily tooth brushing with a veterinary-approved toothpaste, is valuable and does help slow plaque accumulation. However, it does not replace professional cleaning. The deposits that form below the gumline require professional scaling under anaesthesia to remove safely and thoroughly. Think of home care as maintenance between professional cleanings, rather than a substitute for them.

What signs suggest my pet may have a dental problem?

Signs that may indicate a dental concern include bad breath that has worsened noticeably, dropping food while eating, avoiding hard food or toys, pawing at the mouth, drooling more than usual, or a visible change in the teeth or gums. Some pets show no obvious signs at all, which is why routine oral health assessments as part of wellness exams are so important for catching problems early.

Do rabbits need dental care at a veterinary clinic?

Yes. Rabbits have continuously growing teeth that require veterinary monitoring throughout their lives. Dental issues are among the most common health concerns in pet rabbits and can be life-affecting if left unaddressed. Our team is experienced in evaluating and addressing dental concerns in rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals. If you notice changes in your rabbit’s eating habits or weight, a dental assessment is a good starting point.

Do not wait for dental pain to show up before addressing your pet's oral health. Gladys Pet Hospital offers professional dental cleanings, extractions, and digital dental X-rays for dogs, cats, and small animals in Abbotsford. Book online at https://gladysvet.ca/appointment-booking/ or call (604) 850-2000, our team is open seven days a week and ready to help.