FEBURARY IS PET DENTAL HEALTH MONTH!!!

Feburary is Pet Dental Health Month! The health of our dogs teeth is more important than you think. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), 80 percent of dogs have some sort of periodontal disease by age 3! Ever had someone say to you, "Your breath smells like dog breath!" Dogs aren't even supposed to have stinky breath! Read on.

Periodontal Disease is a painful and in some cases deadly disease that strikes out on a huge percentage of pets, yet it's so easy to avoid with proper instructions. Periodontal disease causes red, swollen, tender and receding gumlines, excuciating pain and extremely bad breath. If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss, and can be linked to damaging other vital organs such as the kidneys, heart and the liver.

Avoiding periodontal disease starts with a oral examination by your veterinarian. Your vet can tell you if your dog is in any stage of periodontal disease, and what to do if your dog does have periodontal disease.

Preventing periodontal disease is SO easy too! I promise it won't take more than 10 minutes of your day, every day. First, go out and buy a soft baby tooth brush, or a tooth brush bootie to brush your dogs teeth with. I find the booties are easier to manuver. Then, buy yourself a good enzymatic toothpaste for dogs. Enzymatic means that it is formulated with hydrogen peroxide which will help eat away the plaque. DO NOT USE HUMAN TOOTHPASTE.

It's best to start early, but older dogs can learn how to accept teeth brushing. If you do a quick search online you can find steps to help you introduce your dog to the toothbrush/paste and train him/her to let you brush their teeth.

For me, I like to attack something on all angles. I found Petkin Liquid Oral Care at my PETCO a few months ago. It's a odorless, colorless and tasteless liquid that you add to your pets fresh drinking water daily. It has baking soda in it to help break down tartar and whiten teeth.

Can you believe they have mouthwash for dogs? Maxiguard Oral Cleansing Gel can help if your dog doesn't like a brush in his mouth.

Please take into consideration this blog and set up an appointment with your vet to get your 'man's best friend's teeth checked out!