Frequently Asked Questions
Oral Health Tests for Dogs & Cats
What is periodontal disease?
- Periodontal disease in pets, also known as gum disease, refers to a common dental problem where the gums and teeth become infected and inflamed.
- It usually starts with plaque buildup on the teeth, which can turn into tartar. Over time, this causes the gums to become red and swollen and may lead to tooth loss if untreated.
- Pets with periodontal disease may have bad breath, difficulty eating, or even pain in their mouth. It’s important to address this with regular vet checkups and proper dental care.
- The Petivity At-Home Oral Health Test for Cats and Dogs is not a replacement for regular vet visits and is not meant to diagnose or treat your pet.
How is periodontal disease treated?
- When periodontal disease is detected early, its progress can be slowed by professional dental cleanings under anesthesia, along with consistent home care.
- If the disease progresses, more advanced treatments such as gum surgery and tooth extraction will be needed. Please consult your veterinarian.
How can the Petivity At-Home Oral Health Test help me monitor my pet’s oral health?
- The Petivity At-Home Oral Health Test for Cats and Dogs is a 10-second solution to measuring your pet’s thiol levels. Thiols are chemical compounds that contain sulfur and can indicate inflammation in your pet’s gums.
- When thiols are present, the pad changes color from white to shades of yellow: more yellow color means more thiols are present. Any positive test result is significant, and higher levels of thiols can indicate it's time to consult your vet.
How do I administer the test?
- The Petivity At-Home Oral Health Test is a saliva test. To collect a sample and get your results, remove one of the test strips from the package, and rub the pad of the test strip along your pet’s gumline for 5 seconds on each side of the mouth to get it fully wet.
- Start a timer for 10 seconds. When time is up, immediately compare the color of the test strip pad to the color-scoring scale on the test package to get your Final Result and our recommendation.
- Do not leave the test strip unattended in your pet’s mouth and avoid damaging the pad on your pet’s teeth or tongue. If the pad does become damaged, repeat the test with a new test strip.
When is the best time to collect a saliva sample from my pet?
- The best time to collect a saliva sample is first thing in the morning, before feeding.
- Food particles can contaminate the sample and make your results less accurate. Avoid meals and treats at least 10 minutes prior to testing.
How long does it take to get my results?
- After you collect your pet’s saliva sample, it takes only 10 seconds for the test strip to work its magic, then you can read your results.
How do I interpret the results?
- Compare the color at the center of your test strip pad to the color-scoring scale on your test package.
- The more yellow and farther to the right on the scale, the higher the level of thiols that were detected. Where your test strip lands will tell you your Final Result (Negative, +, ++, or +++).
- For each possible Final Result, recommendations are included on the test package.
Can I bring my test results to my veterinarian?
- We do not recommend bringing your test strip into your veterinarian as the results are no longer accurate after 1 minute.
- If you’d like to review your results with your veterinarian, we recommend taking a photo of your test strip against the color-scoring scale. Keep in mind, however, poor lighting can affect how the results appear in your picture.
How long after opening the test strips are they good for?
- We recommend administering the test immediately after opening the package.
- Store your test in a dry and cool environment. Do not use test strip after the expiration date on the package, and do not reuse the test strips.
How often should I retest my pet’s oral health?
- That depends on your Final Result. The recommendation can be retest in 3-6 months, retest in 1 month, or contact your veterinarian immediately.
- If your pet continues to get Negative as their Final Result, we suggest retesting your pet every 6 months if they’re younger than 7 years and every 3 months if they’re older than 7 years.
Does the test require me to download an app?
- No, all the information you need to administer the test and get your results is available on the test package and our Petivity website.
- We don’t currently have an app associated with our Petivity Health Tests. If you have any questions, please contact our Petivity Support team.
Is the Petivity At-Home Oral Health Test good for pets of all life stages?
- From puppies and kittens to senior dogs and cats, pets of all ages can benefit from a Petivity At-Home Oral Health Test to establish a baseline for their Final Result and track changes over time.
- As your pet ages, the chances of developing oral health issues tend to increase, so monitoring results over the life of your pet can help you stay proactive in your pet health care.
Can I test my dog or cat’s oral health even if they are missing some (or all) of their teeth?
- Yes, since you’ll be collecting a saliva sample along their gumline, our test is still valuable for dogs and cats that are missing teeth.
Does this test replace a visit to the vet?
- The Petivity At-Home Oral Health Test is not a replacement for regular visits to the veterinarian. It’s ideal for testing in-between routine visits or as directed by your veterinarian for frequent oral health testing.