Caring for a pet goes far beyond feeding it and going out for walks together. Dental health, which is often overlooked, is essential to an animal's quality of life, which is why preventive care matters.
This form of preventive medicine protects dogs and cats by removing bacteria and deposits built up on teeth and gums and limiting their growth. It involves a deep clean for animals with excessive plaque, along with an assessment of the teeth to see whether any extractions are needed.
In an interview, Jonathan Josué López Islas, a lecturer with a doctorate in science, explained that a full dental examination covers the whole mouth and the space between tooth and gum, where tartar starts to form. The teeth are then polished to close the gaps left by the cleaning itself and stop germs from sticking again.
In these species, the teeth are used to tear and grind food before swallowing it, but because most are fed on kibble, they no longer do that job. So when teeth are loose or badly damaged, it is better to remove them.
The canines, however, are saved whenever possible, because they support the soft tissues, help stabilise the bite and shape the look of the whole skull.
Dr López Islas and Dr Luz Elena Alcaraz Sosa, academic coordinator of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Xochimilco campus, in Mexico, agreed that checking the mouth during vet visits is essential to prevent problems. They also advised choosing natural dental hygiene products, free from chemicals and colourings, and above all always following the vet's advice and supervision.
Trips to the vet are part of life with an animal, and part of literature too. One of this season's new novels is narrated, as it happens, by a cat whose owner keeps watch even on full-moon nights so that he doesn't end up at the vet's.
The cat who talks and tells his story
The Cat Who Didn't Want to Be Vegan (El gato que no quería ser vegano), by Sanne Vogel, tells in the first person the life of Mister, a funny, eccentric cat who lives with his carer, the Chef: a vegan woman who never gives him meat… as if he had to be vegan too!
But she is his best friend, and Mister is very fond of her. With a light-hearted eye, the cat invites the reader to meet his unusual neighbours on the streets of Amsterdam: a boy who has lost his father, a former acrobat who spends his days watching reality shows, and an elderly woman who thinks she recognises her late husband in him.
"An old man leans over me. 'Jema!' he calls me by my name. 'He's alive!' I look at him. Everything goes white. I blink. That was then. This is now. I take a deep breath and let the air out. It's fine. Everything's fine. I'm not Jema any more. I'm Mister.
Chef always makes sure I stay indoors on full-moon nights. She once read in a newspaper article that American researchers had found that far more dogs and cats get injured and end up at the vet's when the moon is full…"
It is a story about the deeper meaning of everyday encounters and the humanity hidden in them. A tender, entertaining and moving read, it is a novel that celebrates friendship, empathy and the bond between people and animals.
Sanne Vogel is a Dutch actress, director and writer. This is her first novel, which has been a great success in the Netherlands and is taking the international market by storm. It will soon be published in seven more countries.
The Cat Who Didn't Want to Be Vegan (Sanne Vogel)
A heartwarming and humorous novel starring Mister, an Amsterdam cat who adores his vegan owner but doesn't share her dietary preferences.
Through his adventures and encounters with the neighbourhood's eccentric residents, Mister reveals a touching story about friendship, empathy and the special bonds between people and animals. Inspired by a real cat, this charming novel is full of warmth, humour and tenderness.