February is National Pet Dental Month

What dental treats actually work for decreasing plaque and tartar in my pet’s mouth?

If you are trying to improve the quality of your pet’s mouth, skip the bone shaped box of treats.  Studies have been done to show that both rawhide chews and Greenies can reduce plaque and tartar on your dog’s teeth.  There are some treats specifically designed for cats as well, if they are so inclined to oblige you with a trial.  For a list of pet dental products that have been shown to reduce plaque and tartar visit www.vohc.org and look for their stamp of approval on dental home care products. Additionally, visit your local veterinary office for more tips on oral care in dogs and cats.

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February is National Pet Dental Month

Do they make pet foods designed to help keep my dog’s and cat’s teeth clean?

Yes! Research shows that 70% of cats and 80% of dogs will have some form of dental disease by the age of two years.  Sticky plaque build up is the number one cause of periodontal (dental) disease.  Hill’s Science Diet T/D and Purina ProPlan’s DH are both prescription dental foods that are designed to reduce plaque and tartar when fed as the sole diet.  The larger unique kibble size is designed to scrape the tooth as it is chewed. Additionally the kibble breaks down more slowly in the pet’s mouth allowing for even more chewing and scraping action. These foods are formulated to be fed to most adult or senior pets, but consult with your  veterinarian to make sure this is a good choice for your particular pet.

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Does vaccinating my dog or cat cause warts?

No.  Warts or papillomas are benign tumors that are caused by specie specific papilloma viruses.

These DNA viruses cause chromosomal mutations within the skin (epithelial cells) that express themselves as the ugly lumpy bumps that we see growing almost any place on our pets.  The wart viruses are spread by direct and indirect contact and can take 1-2 months to show up after exposure.Warts often spontaneously regress after 4-12 months especially in younger animals.

Warts are usually seen in younger animals with developing immune systems, older animals with weakening immune systems, and in patients that may have a weakened immune system due to other diseases or in those taking  immunosuppressive  medications.

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Is your dog or cat drinking excessive amounts of water, urinating large volumes frequently or having accidents in the house or outside the litter box?

If your pet is exhibiting any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.  Many diabetic animals also show signs of weight loss despite having a good appetite.  Cats may have a plantigrade stance (walking on more of the hind leg than normal) and dogs can develop cataracts.  Blood and urine tests confirm the diagnosis. Most cases of diabetes can be managed with prescription diets and daily to twice daily insulin injections. Obesity is a risk factor so prevent diabetes by keeping  your pets slim and trim.

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No matter how much they watch, beg, nudge, drool…don’t give in!

It’s those big sad eyes, constant nudging, and drool that tug at the heart strings of every pet owner.  It’s hard to resist such cuteness, but stand strong pet owners! Many of the tasty holiday treats that we indulge in are harmful or toxic to pets.

Fried and fatty foods, butter and any food with a lot of salt, seasonings, or nitrites can cause gastrointestinal disturbances including vomiting, diarrhea and pancreatitis. One macadamia nut can be lethal as can the natural sweetener xylitol found in many candies and baked goods.  Grapes, raisins, currants, onions, garlic, alcohol, and of course chocolate are all on the toxic table scraps list.

Ask your veterinarian about safe treats for your individual pet(s).

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What’s up with by-products in pet food?

Some people cringe when they see the word meat by-products on their pet’s food bag. However, contrary to popular belief and certain internet sources, by-products can actually be an excellent source of highly digestible nutrients for your pet.

By law animal by-products can’t include feathers, hair, hide, hooves or intestinal contents.  They can however contain clean liver, kidneys, lungs, and splenic tissue.  In fact we eat meat by-products all the time.  Bet you never thought of soup broth or Jello as a nasty by-product of the meat industry?

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On the left is how a human with normal vision would see color. On the right is how a dog sees color.

It was once believed that dogs only perceived the world in black and white. However we now know dogs have limited color vision compared to us. Dogs only have two types of color cones on their retinas vs. three for humans.

 Dogs see shades of yellows and blues with the reds and greens being left out. They can see variations in brightness, but their visual acuity is much less than ours. While most dogs are quick to pick up movement, they probably view the world more like a near-sighted person would.

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