Do you brush your teeth every day? Sure you do – maybe even twice a day.  We floss, use mouthwash, and be sure to see a dentist every six months. Why? Because we know how important our teeth are!  Well, those pearly whites are just as important for your pets!

There are many ways to keep your pet’s teeth healthy.  First and foremost, your pet’s mouth should be checked at least once a year by their veterinarian.  At the Boght and Oakwood Veterinary Clinics we check teeth at each annual exam. In between vet visits the best thing you can do for your pet’s teeth is to brush them.  Brushing once a day is best, but at least twice a week works to keep them healthy. You can get toothbrushes in our office, or at a pet store. Same for pet-approved toothpastes. If brushing your pet’s teeth is out of the question you can also find dental chews which help fight tartar build-up.  There are also food and water additives that can help prevent oral disease.

Because most dental disease occurs below the gum line it can be hard to diagnose.  There are some things to watch for. Bad breath is probably one of the first signs of dental disease in your pet.  Excessive drooling is another sign. Since oral disease can be painful your pet may be hesitant to eat. You may also notice that they begin to lose weight.  Obvious signs are red or bloody gums and broken or loose teeth. If you notice any of these symptoms in your pet be sure to call your veterinarian as soon as possible.

One of the most frequent concerns for dog and cat parents is how to keep their pets safe from pesky pests like fleas and ticks.

Fleas are parasites which consume blood.  Over time this can cause blood loss or anemia.  This can be especially dangerous in puppies and kittens, as well as other small animals.  Some pets can also be allergic to the saliva from the fleas which could cause skin rashes and hot spots.  Along with the health consequences, fleas are just plain annoying! Cleaning up after a flea infestation can be very costly and cumbersome.

Ticks are another parasite which consume blood. So, in keeping with fleas they can cause blood loss, anemia, and skin irritation. However, ticks can also carry many diseases, including Lyme disease. Lyme disease can be very serious in dogs and cats.  It can cause fever, lameness, and kidney failure. If you do find a tick on your pet be sure to remove the tick as quickly as possible. To remove a tick: use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull straight up with a steady motion and store the tick in a jar with some rubbing alcohol. Once the tick is removed wash the area where your pet was bitten, and watch the spot for signs of infection (redness and swelling).

Taking action before a flea infestation or a tick bite is the best course of action. The doctors at the Boght and Oakwood Veterinary Clinics recommend year-round flea and tick prevention, and we offer a variety of options in our clinics. Be sure to ask your veterinarian which option is best for your pet.

Check out our blog posts for some helpful hints to keep your fur-family safe and happy this holiday season. Click on any image to read the post.

And he’s coming to party! Are you having holiday guests?  If you are, make sure your pets have a safe, quiet place to get away.  For dogs this may be a kennel, or room upstairs away from the festivities.  For cats they may want to watch festivities from a high perch, like a climbing post.  If your pets love visitors and plan to join the party, keep food up on a high counter or table so they can’t get into it.  Make sure your guests know where the garbage cans are so that food plates are not left lying around.

It may be tempting to make an exception for the holiday, but don’t give your pets any table scraps.  These fatty and spicy foods are not good for their stomachs. Also, don’t decorate with food.  Popcorn strings and popcorn balls are fun to make, but they are just too tempting for your pets. Pets can get hurt trying to climb trees or jump up looking for tasty treats.

If you are looking to share a special holiday treat with your furry friends you can make these delicious frozen peanut butter and yogurt goodies.

Skip the tinsel.  It may look pretty, but tinsel can be very dangerous to your furry friends.  If eaten it can cause intestinal blockage.  Also, tinsel rope can pose a hazard if pets get tangled up in it.

Be mindful of your ornaments.  Tiny ornaments can be easily swallowed and cause internal damage.  Make sure any breakable ornaments are placed high enough on the tree that wagging tails can’t knock them down.  They make many shatter-proof ornaments now which may be a good idea for your tree.

Taking a few extra precautions with your decorations can go a long way to keeping your pets safer, and your holidays happier.