Pet dental month reminder to keep furry friends healthy

Pet dental month reminder to keep furry friends healthy
Reported by: Jamie McWilliams
Last Update: 2/02 11:03 pm
PHOENIX -- During this February's pet dental month, Petsmart grooming technicians are informing pet owners how to properly care for their animals' teeth.
About 80 percent of pet owners brush their teeth everyday, but fewer pet owners do the same for their furry friends.
Dr. Mark Lutschaunig, a spokesperson for the American Veterinary Association, says few owners think about their pets teeth.
He states, "Most people have no idea that the dental health is so important to their pets."
According to the association, periodontal disease is the most diagnosed problem for dogs and cats. They estimate that by the age of 2, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have some form of periodontal disease.
Andrea Roberts, a groomer at Petsmart, says brushing your pets' teeth three times a week improves their health and helps prevent any diseases from occuring that can lead to serious problems.
She says, "You just want to make sure that when they're giving you kisses that it smells good."
Having any kind of tartar or plaque build up can lead to diabetes, strokes and kidney disease as well as other life-threatening disorders.
Petsmart currently provides fluoride toothpaste and toothbrushes specially made for your pets' teeth. They also recommend you take your pet to the vet once a year to get a thorough cleaning.
Make sure you take the time out to not only love your animal but also their health.

How do you tell pets not to swallow the fluoride toothpaste?