National Pet Dental Health Month

February is National Pet Dental Health Month!

Pet dental health is a very important, yet often overlooked, part of being a pet parent. We enocourage you to take this time to examine the condition of your pets' oral hygiene, and make it a part of your regular pet care routine.

There many ways to ensure your pets' teeth stay in "mint" condition, and by taking these few simple steps you can prevent painful (and potentially expensivce) dental issues.

With a quick look into your pet's mouth you can check for a few signs of dental health issues** These signs include: discolored, broken, or crooked theeth; red, swollen, or bleeding gums, loose, misaligned or missing theeth; tartar buildup and bad breath.

There are also number of more subtle signs that your pet is suffering from a dental health issue. Changes in certain behaviors may indicate an oral examingation is in order, such as: excessive drooling, pawing at the face or mouth, changes in chewing or eating habits, sensitivity to touch around the mouth and face, and even depression.

Thankfully, there are a whole range of products available to keep your pet's teeth and overall oral health in good condition.

Like their human counterparts, your pets' oral health will benefit with regular brushing with pet safe toothpaste and specially designed tooth brushes. If this seems like a daunting task, you can utilize some less hands-on options. We carry a variety of oral sprays, rinses, gels and foams, as well as water additives to assist with bad breath and tartar build up.

Possiby the best and most natural way to keep your pet's teeth in good condition is by providing him/her with chew toys and treats. Your pet has a natural urge to chew - providing him/her with teh appropriate bones/dental chews (etc) you can not only satisfy this urge, but ensure a healthy doggy smile for years to come.

** If you are concerned about the condition of your pets' teeth and mouth please consult your vetrinarian. Blow for informational use only; does not act as a substitute for vetrinary care or diagnosis.