February is National Pet Dental Health Month. It’s a time when all pet owners are encouraged to properly brush the teeth of their little furry friends. The American Veterinary Medical Association encourages owners to start brushing their pets teeth on a regular basis. 80% of dogs and 70% of cats start to show signs of gum disease by age three.

Gum disease is an infection because plaque builds on teeth and around the gums. This can also cause bad breath, bleeding, oral pain, lose of appetite, infection of the roots and eventually infection of the internal organs such as the kidneys, heart and liver. We encourage pet owners to brush their pets teeth regularly, use the proper brushes and paste and take your pet for a regular dental checkup. This can be part of his regular checkup.  Rawhide chews do not protect your dog from gun disease but there are some toys and treats that can help. For more information, visit.

www.avma.org,  www.vohc.org  or  www.petdental.com