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The oral cavity of the dog and cat

3 March 2023

Muzzle… or mouth?

A dog has a mouth, and a cat has a mouth! The difference between the two ? Their capacity to open. When open, the mouth of a cat is more of a slit than the mouth of the dog, and less teeth are visible.

 

How many teeth does my cat or dog have ?

Just like humans, our pets have 2 generations of teeth: the deciduous – or baby – teeth and the permanent teeth.

 

The deciduous teeth appear at around 3 weeks of age. There are 26 deciduous teeth in kittens and 28 in puppies, distributed as follows :

 

  • 12 incisors – 6 in the upper jaw and 6 in the lower jaw;
  • 4 canines – 2 in the upper jaw and 2 in the lower jaw;
  • 10 or 12 premolars, depending on the species – 6 in the upper jaw and 4 or 6 in the lower jaw.

These will gradually fall out from 3 to 4 months of age to make way for the final set of teeth, which will be completed at 6-7 months. For some breeds, such as the Chihuahua, this takes longer.

In adults, the number of teeth increases to 30 in cats and 42 in dogs:

  • 12 incisors – 6 in the upper jaw and 6 in the lower jaw;
  • 4 canines – 2 in the upper jaw and 2 in the lower jaw;
  • 10 or 16 premolars, depending on the species – 6 or 8 in the upper jaw and 4 or 8 in the lower jaw;
  • 4 or 10 molars, depending on the species – 2 or 4 in the upper jaw and 2 or 6 in the lower jaw.

These teeth have different shapes and therefore different functions.

 

What exactly is a tooth ?

A tooth is mostly made up of dentin – a hard structure formed by specific cells called odontoblasts. It consists of 3 distinct layers:

 

  • Primary dentin, which is formed during the development of the tooth;
  • Secondary dentin, which is deposited on top once the root of the tooth is formed, and is a sign of normal tooth ageing;
  • Tertiary dentin, which is formed during the repair process.

At the heart of this dentin is the dental pulp. This contains nerves, various vessels, connective tissue and odontoblasts.

 

The exposed part of the tooth is covered with enamel. This very hard tissue is formed by cells – the ameloblasts – only before the tooth emerges. In our four-legged friends, the thickness of the enamel varies between 0.1 mm and 1 mm.

 

The root, the non-visible part of the tooth, is covered by a bone-like tissue called cementum.

 

The tooth is supported by the periodontium, which includes the gum, cementum, alveolar bone and the periodontal ligament. The periodontal ligament surrounds the entire buried part of the tooth and is attached to the cementum – the tooth side – and the alveolar bone. It keeps the tooth in the socket.

Finally, the area between the tooth and the gum is called the gum line. The depth of this groove varies – physiologically – between 0 and 1 mm in cats and 0 and 3 mm in dogs.

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The importance of diet for skin and coat quality in dogs and cats

The importance of diet for skin and coat quality in dogs and cats

The skin is the body's largest organ, representing between 12% and 24% of the animal's weight, and its surface area in a dog weighing around thirty kilograms is close to one square meter. It's hardly surprising, then, that the quality and quantity of the dog's diet can have an impact on this organ, and in the event of a deficiency can lead to problems that go far beyond a simple visual appearance.  

Key nutrients for healthy skin and coat

Among the macro-nutrients, proteins play a crucial role. They provide amino acids, including sulphur amino acids, which are essential for the structure of the skin and coat. These are the main components of collagen, which gives the skin its suppleness and resistance, and of keratin, which plays a part in the effectiveness of the skin barrier. Lipids are also important; they make up the bulk of cell membranes and, in the skin, contribute significantly to the effectiveness of the cutaneous barrier. Among lipids, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids help maintain healthy skin, modulate inflammatory mechanisms and promote a shiny, soft coat.  Vitamins and minerals are also involved. Vitamin A is necessary for cell renewal, as is vitamin D, which also plays a part in the skin's natural defences. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, while B vitamins and biotin are essential co-factors in the synthesis of various skin elements such as ceramides, keratin and collagen. Among the minerals, zinc is involved in synthesis, protection against free radicals and immune defence mechanisms.    

Disorders linked to inadequate nutrition

Inadequate or poor-quality food can lead to skin problems in our pets. A deficiency in essential fatty acids leads to dry, flaky skin, a dull coat and brittle hair. When it's the vitamins and minerals that are in short supply, synthesis is affected, the skin barrier can be less effective and the breeding ground for infections and inflammations that can lead to itching. On the other hand, these nutritional benefits can be used to compensate for individual sensitivities and improve the quality of the skin and coat in the event of dermatological disorders or diseases.    

Conclusion

The quality of a dog's skin and the beauty of its coat are directly influenced by the quality of its diet. However, some dogs and cats have increased needs, and it is therefore necessary to provide them with greater quantities of useful nutrients. This is particularly true in the case of certain dermatological disorders, to help compensate for imbalances and accompany the medical treatments prescribed by your vet. 

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