Filed under: Pet Health, Animal Sites We Love

Via Vetstreet

February is Dental Health Month, which means it’s time to lavish some attention on your pet’s teeth. It’s important to take proper care of canine and feline teeth, because if left untreated, plaque and tartar buildup can progress to painful periodontal disease. The bacteria from periodontal disease can spread to other organs and cause illnesses. More than 85 percent of cats and dogs over four years old are affected by periodontal disease – you don’t want your four-legged companion to become part of that alarming statistic.

Here are five steps to help your pet’s teeth and gums remain healthy:

1. Beware of Bad Breath
If a musky scent is coming from Fluffy’s mouth, don’t ignore it. This could be a warning sign that she has periodontal disease or another oral disease such as stomatitis, a common feline condition that causes painful inflammation of the gums and mouth tissues.

SEE ALSO: Warning Signs Your Pet Has Gum & Teeth Issues

Other dental-health warning signs include bleeding gums, yellow or brown teeth, pawing at the mouth, and loose or missing teeth.

Continue reading 5 Best Ways to Keep Your Pet’s Teeth Healthy

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Zootoo Pet News StaffIndulge your furry valentine with special treats.… full story

Discussion

Do I hear wedding bells some people have weddings for their pets on this holiday! (by Ches21)

I'm not cute enough for a Super Bowl ad?!

Did anyone else notice how many Super Bowl commercials there were this year with dogs in them? Dogs are cute, don’t get me wrong … but where were the cats?

It feels like the cats were snubbed, kind of like Leonardo DiCaprio with Oscar nominations. Cat people drink beer, buy cars, and eat chips just like dog people do. Why not throw us some commercial eye candy, too?

In fact, the only reference to a cat in any of the Super Bowl commercials was one that implied that a dog “offed” a cat and buried it.

Hoooooold on. Let’s stop here for a minute and talk about that one. Did you see that Doritos commercial? (I’ll share it below for those who missed it.) Basically, the idea was that a dog disappeared a cat and buried it in the yard. A man saw him doing this, so the dog bribed him with Doritos to not say anything. Awesome, huh?

I watched the whole thing with my mouth wide open and then went straight to Facebook to post my dislike.

Thanks goodness for Animal Planet’s Kitty Halftime show so we could get our kitty fix!

Pimp and Moo rarely love on each other, and when they do it usually takes Pimp about 1.2 seconds to realize what’s going on and run the other way or swat poor Moo off.

But last week, we were all on the couch and I looked to my side to see this! Deep in the throes of smooching, they didn’t even notice I was videoing them. (If they had, Moo would have come straight for the camera and messed the whole thing up. I have no idea what it is with the camera, but he loves it.)

I feel like broadcasting a private moment here, but it’s too cute not to share with everyone. Smooches to all of you!

Filed under: Dogs, Funny Animal Videos

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Filed under: Pet Product Reviews

February is National Pet Dental Health Month – an ideal time to get your pets started on healthy oral care routines, or to improve their existing ones. For pets, neglecting dental health carries similar risks to those for humans, such as periodontal complications – not to mention corrosive kitty and canine breath.

If you’re ready to overhaul your pet’s dental health, your vet can help with advice on proper at-home care, as well as products to take the hassle out of daily cleanings. Our friends at Zootoo rounded up some of their favorite oral care products for pets to help your four-legged friends keep their smiles healthy.

Helpful for tackling bad breath as well as plaque and tartar buildup, GoodBites Oral Care Dog Treats from Pedigree also feature a nutritionally balanced formula, packed with vitamins and minerals. Our tester canine flipped for the meaty taste, and the treats had a beneficial effect on his doggie breath.

An interactive toy that also promotes good dental hygiene, the Fresh Breath Mint Stick for Cats from Petstages uses an innovative design to help keep your feline’s teeth clean. The exterior’s mesh netting helps to remove soft tartar as your cat plays with the stick, and the interior – stuffed with catnip and crinkly material – kept our tester cats engaged for extended playtimes.

If your pet resists brushings with a regular toothbrush designed for animals, try the EZDOG Finger Brush from Triple Pet. This easy-to-use product fits over your finger for better control and less gagging. And the EZDOG Finger Brush features soft rubber bristles to clean your canine’s canines effectively while gently massaging his gums.

A convenient, simple way to clean your cat’s mouth while controlling bad breath, Dental Fresh for Cats helps to reduce plaque and tartar without subjecting skittish felines to cleanings with a toothbrush. A daily dose in our tester cat’s bowl helped to reduce his previous bad breath, and he didn’t seem to notice any change in the taste of the water.

Reward your dog while helping to improve his breath with Spot’s Chew Dog Dental Treats from Halo. These snacks feature natural ingredients such as whole oats and apples to help freshen your dog’s breath, and the stick-shaped design helps to clean your dog’s teeth while keeping him occupied.

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