A recent study by Ipsos showed that 96% of cat owners and 92% of dog owners don’t brush their pet’s teeth daily, as veterinarians recommend.
In fact, 73% of cat owners and 43% of dog owners say they never brush their pet’s teeth!
That’s pretty alarming - especially when oral disease (or periodontal disease) can lead to life-threatening illnesses such as diabetes or heart, liver, kidney, or brain disease!
This doesn’t mean that most dog and cat owners are negligent, of course… but it does suggest that most probably don’t realize how important a pet’s oral health is, or the role that poor hygiene can play in causing your pet to develop other, more serious diseases.
HEALTHY MOUTH = HEALTHY PET
Just as with humans, when dogs eat food, bacteria from the food can begin to grow in their mouths and form plaque and mineral deposits on the teeth.
If this plaque and mineral deposits aren’t regularly cleaned from your dog or cat’s teeth, they can cause gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), bad breath (halitosis), mouth sores, periodontal disease (infections around the teeth and gums), receding gums leading to nerve pain, even tooth and bone loss.
But that’s not all… because that inflammation can cause the gums around the teeth to recede, allowing the infection-carrying bacteria to enter the bloodstream and travel to organs throughout the body, such as the heart, liver, kidneys, and brain.
And once the infection spreads to a major organ, it can develop into a life-threatening disease and even lead to death.
We don’t mean to scare you... But this is something all pet owners need to know.
HIGH-CARB DIETS PROMOTE BACTERIA GROWTH & GUM DISEASE
Pet food containing rice, corn, wheat, tapioca, or potatoes has been shown to accelerate the growth of inflammation-causing bacteria on the teeth of dogs and cats.
That’s why we here at Pet Wellness Direct recommend that pet owners only provide top quality high-fat, low-carbohydrate foods to their dogs and cats.
Raw meat, raw bony foods, and uncooked bones (for dogs) are great tools for helping your pets clean their teeth.
(Just make sure you avoid giving your pet cooked meat bones as they can splinter and cause serious injury to your pet’s trachea and gastrointestinal tract.)
Also be sure to take your pet for regular dental check-ups and cleanings when necessary.
WHICH BREEDS ARE MOST AT RISK OF ORAL DISEASE?
According to veterinarians, when it comes to dogs, small breeds such as Poodles, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Chihuahuas, Shelties, Papillons, and Pomeranians tend to be more prone to developing gingivitis and periodontal disease than larger breeds.
The cat breeds most susceptible to gum disease are purebred Persians, Abyssinians, Maine coons, and Somalis.
Age is also a risk factor, regardless of breed. As your dog or cat gets older, the risk of developing some form of oral disease increases dramatically.
In fact, studies show that 80% of dogs – and 70% of cats – show signs of oral disease by the time they’re three years old!
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PET
The good news is, oral disease is easily preventable.
You just have to take good care of your pet’s oral hygiene.
In addition to feeding your pet high quality, low-carb pet food and taking them into the vet for regular dental check-ups and cleanings, veterinarians also recommend that pet owners brush their dog’s or cat’s teeth daily, just as they would do to their own teeth.
But as you may know, brushing your pet’s teeth isn’t always easy or fun!
If your cat or dog isn’t used to you prying open its mouth and shoving a toothbrush into it, you might find yourself engaged in a no-win wrestling match every time you want to improve their oral hygiene!
That’s why our team in the VetSmart Formulas lab have created a veterinarian-strength oral spray that makes it easy for you to take care of your pet’s oral health – without having to brush.
We wanted to make sure that pet owners everywhere can help their beloved cats and dogs enjoy happy, healthy lives free from dental pain – without lifting a toothbrush!
INTRODUCING TOTAL ORAL CARE SPRAY
The VetSmart Formulas custom oral spray is made from a unique blend of human-grade botanical ingredients, including peppermint, cloves, cinnamon, honey, and soothing aloe vera, which can bring immediate relief to irritated gums while combating bacteria and tartar build-up.
The spray is safe to swallow -- there’s no alcohol or artificial flavors or ingredients -- and there’s no need to rinse.
Best of all, pets love the taste!
Click here to learn more and place your order.
RECOMMENDED BY VETERINARIANS
Total Oral Care Spray is the most effective product on the market and eliminates the need for periodontal work, which often must be done under anesthesia. This can be a big health risk, especially for older cats and dogs. Not to mention the fact that it’s super expensive!
Our spray is ideal for all breeds of dogs and cats -- and is so easy to use, you can even add it to your pet’s drinking water.
So, if you’d like to protect your cat or dog from oral disease and the serious complications that can arise from it, I encourage you to take advantage of this incredibly easy way to help keep your pet healthy and happy for years to come.
