National Pet Dental Health Month (continued)

Stinky pet breath is a symptom that can be due to a number of possible causes including:

• Bacteria and food particles stuck in the pet's mouth.
• The pet's diet.
• Eating disorders such as coprophagia (eating feces)
• Kidney disease
• Lung disease
• Mouth tumors

Getting into a routine of regularly brushing the pet's teeth using a product such as C.E.T Toothpaste, specifically formulated for pets, is the first step in promoting a healthy mouth. Regular annual dental visits can spot any symptoms of disease early.

When beginning a regular brushing program use a tooth wipe or finger toothbrush for the first couple of weeks and then begin using a tooth brush once your pet is comfortable with the process.

PetHealth101 is an excellent resource for articles on how to brush your pet's teeth.

National Pet Dental Health Month

February, 2009 is designated as National Pet Dental Health Month.

Why is our pet's dental health so important? Consider that without proper dental care, by the age of three, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats will have some form of dental disease. Regular annual veterinary visits are important to ensure that the pet's teeth and mouth are healthy and disease free.

To supplement annual visits to your veterinarian, it's a good idea to follow a 3 step dental health program:

• Step 1 - regularly brush your pet's teeth.
• Step 2 - use a dental rinse or add a dental solution to the pet's drinking water.
• Step 3 - regularly provide dental treats especially if brushing cannot be done.
  

Make 1-800-PetMeds your source for quality pet dental care products.