February is Pet Dental Health Month

​Dental health in dogs and cats may sometimes be overlooked by pet owners. Poor oral hygiene in dogs and cats can lead to excess tartar, swellings in the mouth, and severe wear of the teeth (or broken teeth) from chewing on inappropriate objects. In addition, neglected oral health can also lead to gum disease, which if left untreated, can make your pet more susceptible to other health complications. For example, bacteria in the mouth can spread to other parts of the body and cause infections.Keeping your pet’s mouth healthy is easier than you think. While your veterinarian can help you with routine dental check-ups and treatments, most dental hygiene issues can be prevented at home. There are so many options available for you to try for your pet, like our product PlaqueOff Powder, it’s a seaweed enzyme supplement that eliminates existing plaque and prevents tartar buildup. A sprinkle a day makes the plaque go away!

It is best to begin home care when your puppy or kitten is between 8 and 12 weeks old; however, it is never too late to start. The first step is to train your pet to accept the brushing of the teeth. The best approach is to establish a routine of brushing your pet’s teeth with gauze that is wrapped around your finger. It may be helpful to use beef or chicken broth with dogs and tuna water with cats to get them accustomed to the routine instead of using cleaning agents.

Once the pet is familiar with the daily routine, you can switch out the gauze for a finger toothbrush, then you can incorporate using approved pet toothpaste, dental chews, water additives and rinses like the ones featured below.

Even if you do regularly care for your pet’s teeth, you should visit the veterinarian if your pet has persistent bad breath or experiences bleeding from the mouth or tooth, a change in eating habits, or sensitivity to touch, these may be signs of a more serious dental health condition.

​Keeping your pet’s mouth healthy can help them live a longer, healthier life, so as a part of pet dental month, consider making a veterinary appointment to have your pets teeth examined. Another great alternative would be to consider anesthesia-free cleaning. This is where the vet technician uses dental tools to clean plaque and tartar from the teeth and can even clean under the gum-line leaving your pet with perfect teeth.

Call us for more information on booking an appointment for our anesthesia-free dental cleaning clinics at both of our locations. Your pet will thank you with a smile.

Here are some exclusive February deals available in our stores, no need to print anything, just stop by the store and the deal will be applied at checkout!