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February is Pet Dental Health Month. Here at Pet Wants Chisholm Trail we believe the key to a happy and healthy mouth is prevention. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), approximately 80% of pets show signs of oral disease by age 3. Here are a few things you can do to help your pet have a healthy mouth.

1. Brush Their Teeth!

We brush our teeth, so why are our pets any different? Brushing your pet’s teeth regularly is the best way to avoid a dental cleaning. Daily brushing is preferred but not always feasible. If you cannot brush daily try to brush several times a week or at least weekly. Some brushing is better than no brushing.

Pet Wants Tip: Write out your brushing schedule on your calendar so you can hold yourself to it. Make it a habit and your pet will thank you later!

2. Feed Better Food

You are what you eat. Dogs and cats do not produce digestive enzymes such as amylase to break down sugar in their saliva. Starchy sugary carbohydrates can promote plaque and bacteria growth in their mouths. Look for food and treats that are meat first and use whole carbohydrates instead of flours to help moderate sugar intake. Carbohydrates such as brown rice, chickpeas, peas, lentils, and sweet potatoes are all great options. By providing a healthy diet with the proper nutrition you take another step to keeping your pet happy and healthy.

Pet Wants Tip: Every recipe from Pet Wants is always meat first!

3. Chews, Treats, and Toys

Chewing helps promote oral health in dogs. Chews and toys such as bully sticks and rope toys can aid in dental health, and help keep plague and bad breath at bay. There are many dental treats out there that can help, but even by making conscious decisions for treats with quality ingredients and specific shapes you can help your pet keep their teeth clean and healthy.

Pet Wants Tip: Ask your certified Pet Wants nutrition specialist to help you choose the perfect chew for your pet.

4. Oral Supplements

There are supplements you can give your pets to help keep their teeth clean, but many out use harsh chemicals to sterilize the animal’s mouth. We believe in a more holistic approach with digestive enzymes, seaweed, and natural dental supplements.

Pet Wants Tip: Seaweed and kelp have higher amounts of iodine which is a natural astringent.

5. Regular Checkups

Regular checkups with your veterinarian are important because they are experts in assessing your pet’s oral health, and are essential to having your pet live a happy and healthy life.  Your vet can help guide you as to where your pet’s oral health is and provide you tools and advise for better health as well.

Pet Wants Tip: Schedule a checkup sooner rather than later. A quick consultation is all it takes to assess your pet’s oral health.

At Pet Wants we are committed to bettering the life of you and your pet. Dental health is a topic rarely discussed, hard to see, but easy to smell if something is amiss. If you are looking for more information into healthy lifestyle tips for your pet, visit us Pet Wants Chisholm Trail.

We are not veterinarians or pet medical professionals. Pet Wants is committed to bettering the life of you and your pet. We have many years of experience and are well educated in natural nutrition and pet health. We are here to provide you with information and recommendations but the advice from our nutrition specialists or guides are not substitute for proper veterinary care. We offer carefully selected natural products, but we firmly believe you should work closely with your vet for any medical conditions or treatments.