Your Pet's Teeth

February was National Pet Dental Health Month, sponsored the American Veterinarian Medical Association.

Why is this an important issue?  Dental disease is the number one health problem faced by pet dogs and cats over the age of two. Dogs and cats, like humans, are given 2 sets of teeth.  They shed their temporary teeth, then grow their permanant teeth.

At the age of 2, dogs and cats experience a significant build up of plaque on their teeth.  Calculus is formed along the gum line. The gums become irritated, swollen and red: gingivitis.  This leads to dental agony, ask your Vet how this effects your pet's health.

There are many products available to help prevent dental disease.  Try www.petedge.com for products. Their products help, but are not the end result.  It is just like brushing your own teeth, you still need the dentist when there is a problem.

Personally, I give my pets real bones. I buy knuckle bones for them to chew on from D&A Shoprite.  Any product they can chew through does not help them clean plaque off their teeth.  Scraping against a substance that is not chewable, in my opinion, is better than brushing.