February is Pet Dental Month!

 

Does fido have bad breath?  Bad breath in a pet is often dismissed simply as "doggy breath." Although in actuality it may be a sign that your pet has  periodontal disease, which is the most common ailment suffered by dogs and cats over 3 years old. Preventing periodontal disease can result in longer, healthier lives for pets. Unfortunately, dental care is often ignored by owners. One survey notes that just 1 out of 10 owners makes sure their pets' teeth are cared for. Although dogs and cats rarely get cavities, the plaque and tartar that do form can cause gingivitis and periodontal disease. This can lead to tooth decay, bleeding gums and tooth loss. The bacteria that causes all this can travel through the bloodstream and eventually damage the major organs.  So, what can we do about this?  Here are some solutions we have here at Aunt Kerry's Pet Stop;

-Brush your pet's teeth- we have pet toothbrushes and toothpaste (fluoride is bad for our pets so a pet toothpaste is necessary).  I know, I know, how on earth do you accomplish this?  Well the toothpastes are flavored like chicken, beef, and tuna so most pets love the way it tastes!

-Water additives- they make special additives to put in your pets water bowl that help to reduce plaque.

-Tooth sprays- we have sprays that you apply directly to your pets teeth which help to dissolve plaque.  We even have one made locally by our Friends from Glynne's Soaps!

-All Natural Bones and Chews- Yes, finally an option your pet will really love!  Hard bones and chews like bully sticks help to scrape tartar from your pets teeth.   We even have chews with peppermint to clean teeth and freshen breath.

-Raw Bones- This is Jen's top pick!  After switching my dog Levi to a raw diet and incorporating raw bones that scrape his teeth, he went from needing a dental to showing no signs of needing one in 2 months.  Raw is great for teeth! 
 
But my kibble is crunchy so it cleans my pet's teeth right?  Unfortunately this is an outdated piece of information.  Crunchy cookies and kibble actually sticks to your dogs teeth more, like potato chips stick to our teeth. 

Not sure which route to go?  No problem, swing by for a consultation with one of our staff members today!