Your Pet's Health 2 is Tips To Take A Bite Out Of Dog Dental Problems (NAPSA)—You may want to brush up on a few pet care facts to make sure your dog’s teeth and gumsstay healthy. According to the American Vet- erinary Dental Society, 80 percent of pets over the age of 3 are diag- nosed with an oral disease each year. Letting your pet’s teeth reach an unhealthy state can lead to tooth loss, potential spread of infection to other vital body organs and bad breath. To prevent such problems, take your pet to the veterinarian at least once a year for a dental checkup. If plaque and tartar buildup is evident, a professional cleaning may be recommended. In addition to having regular dental checkups, there’s plenty that you can do at homethat will have a major impact on your pet’s long-term dental health. To help, Hartz offers a wide variety of innovative toys, chews, toothbrushes and other products in appealing designs, colors and fla- vors, for maintaining oral health and for keeping your prized canine happy. Here are some expert tips to help keep your dog’s teeth and gumshealthy: 1. Brush your pet’s teeth regularly; once a day is recommended. Using both a toothbrush and toothpaste developed for pets is the best way to remove and prevent plaque buildup in between veterinary visits. 2. Provide hard food, such as edible bones and crunchy snacks, to exercise the teeth. Dogs on such a diet may be less prone to having dental problems. 3. Rawhide dog treats have been used for many years to sat- Brushing once a dayis the best way to remove plaque and tartar. isfy dog’s natural desire to chew. The abrasive action of chewing rawhide helps reduce plaque and gingivitis in dogs, up to 25 percent according to somestudies. 4, Fun chew toys, especially with raised tips, can massage and strengthen gums and help decrease plaque buildup. For puppies left alone, chew toys can relieve boredom and keep them from biting other items. They also offer an alternative to hard objects that might lead to tooth fractures. 5. If your dog has bad breath, don’t fret. There are breath strips currently on the market, similar to those sold for human use. Also, check your pet for bleeding orirri- tated gums, tartar buildup or oral pain. Seek veterinary assistance for any chronic problems. By combining regular veteri- nary checkups with a consistent home program, concerned and loving owners can help their dogs have healthy teeth and gumsfor a long time. For more helpful tips on pet dental health or other pet care questions, visit www.hartz.com.
