Does your best friend have doggie breath?
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It's hard to imagine going your whole life and never visiting a dentist; the results could be detrimental and could lead to problems including gum disease and cavities. Petland says that the same applies to pets. Our furry friends need routine dental care to keep their pearly whites in tip-top shape.
Petland stores nationwide are recognizing National Pet Dental Health Month this February by offering tips and advice on pet dental health and overall hygiene.
"Proper dental hygiene is equally as important for our pets as it is for us. While we typically brush our teeth twice a day, we tend to ignore the oral hygiene of our pets. At Petland, we're committed to offering advice to our customers on all aspects of their pets' health," said Chastity Neff, General Manager of Petland of Hillsboro.
According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, roughly 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats display indications of oral disease by age three, which can result in bad breath, tooth loss and receding gums. Serious infections caused by oral disease also can enter a pet's bloodstream, thus causing potential issues of the heart, kidneys and liver. However, only 15 percent of dogs get annual oral care from a veterinarian and only 2 percent of dog owners brush their dog's teeth daily.
Pet Dental Health
Neff recommends that pet owners adhere to the following tips on a regular basis to ensure proper dental health for their pets:
• Look for signs of tooth decay and oral disease by routinely inspecting your pet's teeth. Bad breath, discoloration and tartar are all indications of problems that could lead to serious health risks with the potential for not only damaging teeth and gums, but internal organs as well.
• Brush your pet's teeth daily or at least weekly. Toothpaste that is made for people should not be used for pets. Your veterinarian can recommend proper pet-safe toothpaste.
• Feed your dog or cat crunchy food. The abrasive texture of hard food can help keep teeth clean, while soft food can cling to your pet's teeth and lead to decay. Also consider crunchy treats, which help clean pet's teeth.
• Chew toys for dogs and chewable rope toys for cats are not only immensely entertaining for your pet, but also keep their teeth clean and breath smelling fresh.
Overall Pet Health
Though teeth brushing and oral care are large factors in keeping your pet healthy, there are other measures you can take to ensure their overall health.
Neff recommends that pet owners do the following things to contribute to their furry best friend's overall hygiene:
• Exercise. A pet that is physically fit has a much better chance of living a longer, healthier life. Physical activity helps prevent excess weight gain, supports a pet's metabolism and serves as an outlet for pent-up energy.
• Grooming. A pet that is routinely brushed and bathed is less susceptible to skin and coat disorders. Grooming also includes checking a pet's ears to make sure they are clean, as well as keeping nails trimmed.
• Stay up-to-date on vaccines. Make sure your pet receives its annual vaccinations and boosters, including rabies, distemper, herpes virus, Bordetella, kennel cough and feline leukemia.
Petland, Inc. is a franchise operation with more than 200 quality, full-service, retail pet centers across the United States, Canada, Chile, Japan, Mexico and South Africa. For more information on Petland, visit www.petland.com.[[In-content Ad]]
Petland stores nationwide are recognizing National Pet Dental Health Month this February by offering tips and advice on pet dental health and overall hygiene.
"Proper dental hygiene is equally as important for our pets as it is for us. While we typically brush our teeth twice a day, we tend to ignore the oral hygiene of our pets. At Petland, we're committed to offering advice to our customers on all aspects of their pets' health," said Chastity Neff, General Manager of Petland of Hillsboro.
According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, roughly 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats display indications of oral disease by age three, which can result in bad breath, tooth loss and receding gums. Serious infections caused by oral disease also can enter a pet's bloodstream, thus causing potential issues of the heart, kidneys and liver. However, only 15 percent of dogs get annual oral care from a veterinarian and only 2 percent of dog owners brush their dog's teeth daily.
Pet Dental Health
Neff recommends that pet owners adhere to the following tips on a regular basis to ensure proper dental health for their pets:
• Look for signs of tooth decay and oral disease by routinely inspecting your pet's teeth. Bad breath, discoloration and tartar are all indications of problems that could lead to serious health risks with the potential for not only damaging teeth and gums, but internal organs as well.
• Brush your pet's teeth daily or at least weekly. Toothpaste that is made for people should not be used for pets. Your veterinarian can recommend proper pet-safe toothpaste.
• Feed your dog or cat crunchy food. The abrasive texture of hard food can help keep teeth clean, while soft food can cling to your pet's teeth and lead to decay. Also consider crunchy treats, which help clean pet's teeth.
• Chew toys for dogs and chewable rope toys for cats are not only immensely entertaining for your pet, but also keep their teeth clean and breath smelling fresh.
Overall Pet Health
Though teeth brushing and oral care are large factors in keeping your pet healthy, there are other measures you can take to ensure their overall health.
Neff recommends that pet owners do the following things to contribute to their furry best friend's overall hygiene:
• Exercise. A pet that is physically fit has a much better chance of living a longer, healthier life. Physical activity helps prevent excess weight gain, supports a pet's metabolism and serves as an outlet for pent-up energy.
• Grooming. A pet that is routinely brushed and bathed is less susceptible to skin and coat disorders. Grooming also includes checking a pet's ears to make sure they are clean, as well as keeping nails trimmed.
• Stay up-to-date on vaccines. Make sure your pet receives its annual vaccinations and boosters, including rabies, distemper, herpes virus, Bordetella, kennel cough and feline leukemia.
Petland, Inc. is a franchise operation with more than 200 quality, full-service, retail pet centers across the United States, Canada, Chile, Japan, Mexico and South Africa. For more information on Petland, visit www.petland.com.[[In-content Ad]]