February brings the celebration of many loving holidays including Pet Dental Health Awareness Month. This month reminds us as pet owners that our furry friends can’t easily hop up to the sink and brush their teeth. No matter the species, all pets and animals for that matter should practice dental hygiene with pet owners helping them along the way. Health issues such as red gums, stinky breath, and yellow teeth can arise and lead to more serious oral health issues if ignored. Pet Dental Health Awareness Month reinforces the importance of putting just as much emphasis on our pet’s teeth as we do on their stomachs.
How it Started & is Celebrated
With National Pet Month around the corner in May, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) started Pet Dental Health Awareness Month to shed light on a forgotten responsibility of pet owners. It is estimated that only 2% of dog owners brush their dog’s teeth despite recommendations by veterinarians around the world. To put it in perspective, the effects of poor dental hygiene are similar to how it affects humans. If humans neglected their teeth each day, numerous health problems would come about resulting in a nasty trip to the dentist. Your pet is in the same boat. Routine brushing and dog dental chews can be a difference making in preventing oral diseases that can lead to more serious stomach, heart, and kidney problems. On top of these best practices, pet owners should look into South Jersey dog grooming to allow professionals take a deeper look at your pet’s oral care and keep their mouth shining year-round.
Common Questions & Concerns
The most commons questions and concerns about dental care are when do the problems start and how to prevent them. Oral hygiene issues in pets usually start within the first few years of their life span. According to US Veterinarians, 80% of issues are seen within the first three years of your pet’s life. Early care and establishing it early is a great idea due to older pets being naturally more stubborn and stuck in their ways. The next big question to answer is where should pet owners start and what to use. Like the human dental care landscape, there are many products available that can aid dental health and protection. Pet toothpastes are widely available in all sorts of flavors and formulas. As owners, we know what our pet likes and dislikes, so make sure you pick a toothpaste that is good on their stomach and tastes good to make brushing more enjoyable. When brushing isn’t being done, daily dental chew is available as a healthy toy to combat tartar buildup and gum disease. Again, these are available in many different flavors and consistencies so cater to your pet’s preferences and make it their new favorite toy. Lastly, a proper diet can go along way as well. Five main forms of pet food are available at different price points and benefits. To learn more about these options, check out our post on the different types of dog food at The Different Types of Dog Food & Their Benefits.
Halo House Animal Resort offers complimentary teeth cleaning services along with any full-service groom or bath at both of our locations. Reach out to us at 856-694-0980 to learn more!