February is Pet Dental Month
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
Yes! There is such a thing and, as it turns out, Brandy and Val both LOVE to get their teeth brushed. Various reports estimate that by the age of 2, 80% of dogs have some form of periodontal disease. You brush your own teeth at least twice a day, why neglect your pets’? Daily brushing is best, but even once a week will help curb the onset of “doggie breath” and gum disease. In fact, with regular good brushing–remembering to get those back teeth!–your pup may never have to have professional veterinary treatment for teeth cleaning. Think of all the money you’ll save! If you have a puppy, start the brushing process immediately so they get used to it. If you have an older dog, ehow.com has a great article on tips on how to acclimate your pet to the process. In fact, from that article, there are several nifty articles linked to and videos on taking care of your pet’s teeth and gums. Another great site and source of information is the AVMA and they too, have an informative video on dental health care for pets:
As far as toothpaste is concerned, there are several flavors out there: chicken, peanut butter, beef, malt, vanilla-mint to name a few. So experiment until you find the one that your pet will crave and teeth brushing will become a fun activity for both of you.
