Happy New Year! If you are like most pet owners, you're thinking, "Pet Dental Program? No Way!", but just like you, your pets need to have their teeth cared for. Over 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3! With a few easy at home care tips and periodic dentistry by your veterinarian, you can maintain good dental health for your furry companion. This will help prevent, stinky breath, gum disease, periodontal disease, and the systemic complications (organ damage) that can occur with excess oral bacteria.
February is National Dental Month and is already fast approaching. So we are going to do a weekly post for the next eight weeks on quick at home dental tips. In this week's post, we are going to jump in and do two tips.
1. Start Early~ It's never too early to get a puppy used to handling of all kinds from handling the paws for nail trims to working in the mouth for tooth care. If your starting with an adult dog who has just had a professional dental cleaning, start three to five days after the dental to prevent new tartar accumulation.
2. Go Slow and Give Rewards~ Start by gently rubbing your fingers along the side of your dog's mouth so he/she gets used to the sensation, and then be sure to give him/her praise.
Stay tuned for more weekly tips as we approach dental month~ most importantly if you have questions feel free to call for advise, this is not to be stressful for you or your pets!
