As part of supporting National Pet Dental Health Month this February, we’ve gotten a lot of questions about brushing a dog (or cat’s) teeth on a regular basis. Most homeowners are leery of starting an at-home dental health program, but the benefits can be enormous – reduced veterinary costs through preventative care, better dental health, and avoidance of serious and potentially life-threatening diseases like diabetes, heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease.

If you’re starting a dog or cat tooth brushing routine for the first time, here are some tips to get you started:

1. Start with the right equipment- a soft-bristle tooth brush or special finger-tip pet tooth brush, and veterinary toothpaste. Veterinary toothpaste is specially formulated for pets and comes in a range of pet-friendly flavors like beef, fish and chicken. Do NOT use regular human toothpaste, as the flavors are generally not tolerated by pets and the foaming agents can be toxic to dogs and cats if swallowed.
2. Pick a quiet and relaxed spot to start your routine. Most vets recommend that you start off with short treatment periods at first (30 seconds to 1 minute) and that you give your pet plenty of time to sniff or lick the brush and toothpaste to get used to the taste. Encourage your dog or cat with words and petting to make them feel comfortable, while gently lifting his front lips and rubbing the brush over his front teeth.
3. Take it at your pet’s pace. It might take several tries before your dog or cat figures out that it’s okay for you to stick your fingers in theirIf the pet shows signs of being uncomfortable (wiggling or squirming to get away, growling or yelping) let him go, and try again later or the next day when he or she has calmed down.
4. After a few days of just front dental brushing, expand the area of your brushing to start including the sides of the teeth, adding one more tooth each day until you’re covering the whole mouth. Continue to encourage your pet and include treats and extra cuddling, petting or reassurance with your brushing sessions until the pet is comfortable with a solid 2-3 minutes of brushing each day.
5. If your pet begins to balk at brushing sessions, revert back to step 2 and build your way up slowly. Your goal is to have your dog or cat enjoy his or her brushing sessions and look forward to it as quality bonding time.

If you’re struggling with your regular dental regime for pets, or you want to have your pet checked for periodontal disease, click here to schedule an appointment with the Weare Animal Hospital vets. Don’t forget – patients who book in February receive 10% off professional dental cleaning.

For more info on managing your pet’s home brushing routine, click here to watch a video from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

February is National Pet Dental Health Month. Believe it or not, a lot of pet owners still believe that “doggy breath” (aka bad breath in dogs or cats) is just a fact of life. In fact, a bad mouth odor from your pet may be the sign of a serious health problem, affecting not only your pet’s teeth and gums but its internal organs as well.

Periodontal disease, or gingivitis, is the most common side effect of poor dental health in pets. Inflamed gums are not only uncomfortable, they’re very common in pets. It’s estimated that by the age of two, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some form of periodontal disease, meaning that the gums of their month exhibit some inflammation. The vast majority of pets show signs of plaque buildup and/or discomfort in the gums caused by periodontal disease.

Although a gum infection doesn’t sound serious, the problem can escalate quickly into painful infections of the mouth (leading to weight loss and malnutrition of pets) and, in severe cases, in the release of bacteria into the animal’s body, which can cause diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease. Ouch!

Just like humans, cats and dogs require regular dental care, including checkups from the veterinarian, a proper diet, professional cleaning and yes, even daily tooth brushing. If you’re worried about your pet’s teeth, here are some great tips to get you started on the way to a pearly canine or feline teeth:

1. The first step to ensuring your pet’s dental health is a visit to the veterinarian. He or she can assess the status of your pet’s teeth and give you advice for the best steps to combat periodontal disease.
2. The second step is preventative – ensuring that your dog or cat has regular home care to prevent gum infections. This step usually includes regular brushing with a dental brush and special pet-friendly tooth paste, and feeding him or her dental-friendly treats which encourage pets to chew their tartar buildup away.
3. The third step is professional cleaning by your veterinarian. Just like scaling and polishing at the dentist, this gives your veterinarian the opportunity to thoroughly clean your pet’s teeth of all plaque build-up, under general anesthesia so that your pet doesn’t experience any discomfort. Veterinarians may also apply fluoride or sealing treatments to strengthen teeth and prevent damage, and may identify teeth that should be extracted.

Proper pet dental health not only ensures your cat or dog’s teeth remain strong and healthy, they also help contribute to avoiding serious diseases and ensuring your pet’s long life. This month, Weare Animal Hospital is happy to support National Dental Health Month by offering 10% off dental cleaning and a free toothbrush and sample toothpaste! Contact us to book your pet’s appointment today.

Its official – winter is truly here in Weare! Last week’s snowfall had many people out with snow shovels and de-icing salt for the first time since Halloween weekend. With the snow and the cold weather come some important tips for dog-lovers:

Keeping Dogs Warm in Winter

Despite their furry coats, dogs do experience cold just as we do.

• Short-haired dogs that spend a great deal of time outdoors can get very chilly so consider doggie coats or sweaters that cover from the base of the tail to the neck if you’re going for an extended romp.
• If your long-haired dog has a regular trim, consider allowing his fur to grow a little longer in the winter for warmth.
• Wet fur loses almost all its insulation properties, so if bathing your dog in the winter, be sure that his fur is completely dry before going outside.
• A reminder not to leave your dog in an unheated car in the winter any longer than you yourself would stay; cars can trap cold air like a thermos and have temperatures below the outside air.

Avoiding Winter Irritants and Poisons

Unfortunately, a lot of the materials that humans use to combat winter weather are harmful or even poisonous for our dogs.

• De-icing salt or “rock salt” is corrosive to the skin, and can cause cracking or bleeding paws. Be sure to wipe your dog's feet down after a walk on salty sidewalks and look for signs of skin irritation such as prolonged chewing or licking of paws.
• Antifreeze is particularly toxic for dogs and can be lethal in just small amounts. Be sure to store antifreeze in a pet-free area and wipe up any spills immediately.
• If you suspect your pet has consumed antifreeze, even from self-grooming after a walk, contact your vet immediately.

Snow Safety

There’s nothing active dogs like more than bounding through snow drifts (especially chasing a toy!) but snow can dull a dog sense of smell and make it more likely that he can’t find his way home.

• Keep your dog on a leash in any unfenced areas, and keep a close eye on him in leash free parks.

Have fun and keep safe in the snow!