The main reason that pets have bad breath (halitosis) is because they have gum disease. By age three, at least 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have some form of gum disease. Just because cats and dogs do not eat a diet filled with sugary or sticky foods, does not mean they would not accumulate tartar. Once food particles and bacteria collect along the gum line, plaque begins to form, in the same way it does on humans. Their owners can remove plaque for their pets. But once this sticky plaque adheres to the teeth, it turns into hard tartar within a week. Only a veterinarian can successfully remove this yellowish-brown tartar from the teeth of your pets.

Other reasons your pet may have bad breath are:
1) Eating smelly foods
2) Diabetes
3) Respiratory diseases
4) Tonsillitis
5) Gastrointestinal problems
6) Bacterial or viral infections.

If the tartar is not removed, the gums of your pet will begin to redden and swell with the first stage of gum disease (gingivitis) and you will notice their less-than-sweet breath. Your pet may also have problems chewing hard food, paw at their mouth or even seem depressed. If any of these symptoms appear, it is time to take action!

If nothing is done to relieve the symptoms of gingivitis, the health of your pets could deteriorate quickly. Their gums may pull away from the teeth, leaving pockets where bacteria can thrive. This can lead to tooth loss or abscesses. In some situations, the bacteria may enter the bloodstream, causing infections in heart valves, liver and kidneys.

Establishing a regular dental care program. Take your pet to the veterinarian. Upon examination, a vet may determine that teeth of your pets need to be cleaned. It is normal for cats and dogs to have cleanings once a year, some older pets may need twice yearly cleanings. Talk to your vet about the procedure and what is best for your pet.

Daily home care is required for your pets. One of the best ways to avoid bad breath and gum disease is to clean the teeth of the pets daily. You may think that your pet will never put up with having their teeth cleaned, but your pet can be trained to sit still long enough for it! Your vet can give you tips. Do not use your own toothpaste on your pet (as it could cause stomach problems). Special toothbrushes and toothpaste are available for pets. Talk to your vet to see which one they recommend.

Adequate nutrition helps. There are pet foods that are specifically aimed at reducing the risk of dental diseases. Avoid giving your pets sweet treats. Your cat may love ice-cream, and your dog may look forward to drinking the leftover milk in your cereal bowl, but the sugary satisfaction will harm their teeth!

Any abnormalities in the appearance or personality of your cat or dog should be reported to the vet. The problems may include: (1) Bad breath; (2) Swollen, red gums; (3) Tartar or lesions along the gum line; (4) Pain or bleeding when touching the gums; (5) Discolored teeth; (6) Bumps around or in the mouth; and (7) Losing weight, disinterest in food, or in activity.

The bottom line is this: You brush your teeth at least twice every day, and therefore, your pet should have his teeth cleaned every day too. He may not have minty-fresh breath, but at least you will be doing everything you can to keeping your pet healthy.

About the Author: Dr. Minh Nguyen is one of the north americas top dentists. Visit www.softdental.com

Importance of K9 Oral Care

According to the American Dental Society, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by age three. This can lead to even more serious health problems including heart, lung and kidney disease. Ensuring your pet receives proper dental care from an early age is critical.

In addition to oral examinations and dental cleanings performed by your veterinarian, there are several things you can do to ensure the mouth of your dog or cat stays healthy.

Brushing at Home

Brushing your pet’s teeth daily helps prevent a multitude of oral and other health problems. It is best to introduce dental home care early with your new puppy or kitten. During your first veterinary visit, request a demonstration of how to properly and effectively brush your pet’s teeth.

Below are step-by-step instructions on how to brush your pet’s teeth at home.

1. Start with a healthy, comfortable mouth by having your veterinarian perform a dental cleaning. Existing problems may cause pain leading to an uncooperative dog or cat.
 
2. Start slowly by letting your pet become comfortable with you working inside their mouth with your finger. Gently rub along the gumline. Start at the front and move toward the back upper and then lower teeth and gums.
 
3. Pull his lip up to rub the outside of the teeth and gums.
 
4. Pull his head back gently to encourage him to open his mouth so you can clean the inside of his teeth.
 
5. Repeat on the opposite side of the mouth.
 
6. After your dog or cat becomes comfortable with your finger, place gauze over your finger and rub their teeth in a circular motion.
 
7. When your pet can handle the gauze, introduce a toothbrush during the next brushing session. It is important to make this switch because a bristled toothbrush cleans below the gumline where gauze or pads cannot reach.
 
8. Apply the bristles at a 45 degree angle to the surface of the tooth. Using small, circular motions, brush around the outside of the teeth ensuring the bristles get under the gumline. Brushing the sides of the teeth is not as important, as dogs and cats typically do not have tartar build-up between teeth like humans do.
 
9. Gradually add toothpaste designed for dogs or cats. Do not use people toothpaste or baking soda as both can upset your pet’s stomach.
 
10. Place your hand over your pet’s muzzle gently squeezing from the top.
 
11. Help keep your pet calm by praising your pet, speaking reassuringly and keeping the brushing sessions short. Remember, you will not always have a perfect teeth brushing session, but it’s important to be consistent and keep trying.

Other Considerations for a Healthy Mouth

Hard food and teeth cleaning biscuits can help keep your pet’s mouth clean in between brushings.

You should also be sure to regularly examine your pet’s mouth for signs of periodontal disease. Brownish teeth, consistently bad breath, swollen or bleeding gums and pus between the teeth and gums are all warning signs. If your dog or cat has these symptoms, consult your veterinarian.

Contributed by Pet First Health Care
Courtesy of www.pet-articles.blogspot.com 

Dog arthritis, a canine illness characterized by a pain in the joint, is a common problem among senior or old dogs. It comes with age and mostly affects large dog breeds. A dog with arthritis or hip dysplasia faces difficulty in moving, jumping or playing and also shouts in pain when tapped.

There are many ways to cure a dog with arthritis, ranging from herbal remedies to pain relief medications. But whichever treatment option you choose for your beloved canine, just make that you to seek the advice of your veterinarian first to know which treatment is most applicable for your dog’s condition.

A dog with arthritis often experiences severe pain. To address this, vets prescrible anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin and carprofen, both of which are helpful in minimizing pain and inflammation caused by arthritis. These drugs can significantly lessen the inflammation at the nerve endings, giving relief to your dog comfortable for some time. Other drugs such as steroids prednisone dexamethasone and anti-inflammatory medicines are also given to alleviate pain and reduce swelling of joints.

You can also feed your dog foods rich in omega 3 & 6 fatty acids. Fish oil, for example, is a natural anti-inflammatory agent, which is essential to reducing pain where inflammation is present.

For best results, any medical treatments need to be matched with proper dog diet. A dog with arthritis needs nutritious and well-balanced food in order to maintain the proper weight for his age and boost his immune system. Your dog must also get exercise on a regular basis to improve his strength and metabolism. Even if your dog is old, he still needs to move around and exercise. Walking the dog around your backyard or neighborhood 2-3 times daily will help him feel better in the long run.

Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.

It’s no secret. We love dogs. In fact, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, more than 40 million American households share their lives with more than 68 million dogs.

A messy house, however, is something we don’t love. And it seems like dogs go out of their way to get dirt, hair, stains, and odors, and all manner of nasty things everywhere.

Fortunately there are a few things you can do to “dog proof” your home. You’ll learn about them below, along with some easy ways to clean up those unavoidable doggy messes.

Preventing dog hair

If your dog sheds, as most do, you’re probably familiar with how irritating dog hair can be. It gets all over the carpet, furniture, rugs, and pretty much everywhere else the dog goes.

You can drastically cut down on the amount of hair that is shed by grooming your dog often. Once a week, take your dog outside and give its fur a good combing with the type of brush recommended for its coat. Give him lots of praise and maybe a few treats so he’ll come to love his grooming time.

Be sure to groom him away from the house so that the hair isn’t blown back into the house.

Regular grooming will not only make your dog more attractive and happier from the extra attention, it will spare your sofa and carpet from all that extra fur.

Removing dog hair

Even if you regularly groom your dog, chances are some stray hairs will still end up where they aren’t wanted.

A damp cloth works wonders for removing hair from furniture and other surfaces. A lint roller is another fantastic tool for getting rid of hair. It will allow you to quickly roll up stray hairs. A lint roller is perfect for a quick furniture check before company arrives!

A powerful vacuum should have no problem pulling dog hair out of rugs and carpets.

Rugs and mats are your friends

Rubber-backed mats collect dirt and moisture and clean up easily. Use them outside and inside doors, under food dishes, and in sleeping areas. Even car mats will do.

Wipe off those paws

Train your dog to wait on the rug or mat until you wipe off his paws with a damp rag or towel. This will keep him from making mud tracks all over the house.

It might take a little extra time to get him trained, but you’ll spend much more time cleaning up after him if you don’t train him to wait.

Doggie dishes

Stainless steel feeding dishes are the best choice for your dog. They are heavy and hard to topple by your over-enthusiastic pet. Be sure to wash it regularly.

Dog Allergies

If you or a family member is allergic to dogs there are a few things you can do to make life easier.

Restrict your dog to certain rooms of your home to create allergy-free areas. Bedrooms, especially, should be a no dog zone.

Use an air purification device to reduce allergens. These are also great at reducing odors. Keep your home well ventilated as well.

About The Author
Christopher Fisher is a writer and reviewer for http://www.naturesmiraclereviews.com a site that reviews the popular cleaning product.