Getting my teeth brushed!

A few days ago I told you that I would write about the importance of taking care of your pet's teeth.  Well, you brush and floss daily, right?  Okay, okay, maybe you don't always floss....but you do brush!!!  It is important that your pet's teeth get brushed as well because we get tartar and plaque just like humans. So, start just by putting your finger in your pet's mouth to get used to a sort of  "gums massage",  then gradually introduce a type of brushing device; they come in all sorts of sizes and shapes. I have graduated to a oral care finger brush (It looks like a rubber finger tip bankers use to count money.). Do I like it , well no, but I bet you don't like brushing or flossing either! I am going to ask my favorite dentist, Dr. Chris Visser  if I should now start using an actual brush!  What do you think, Dr. Chris?

Here is something else that helps in pet dental care; pet parents should purchase products to keep your pearly whites as pearly as they can be, like Greenies (one of my favorite treats).  They even come in various sizes and for different age groups, too - from puppy to senior. I have the Tiny Lite version, so I can keep my weight just perfect!!!

It is a good idea to check for the seal of approval of The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) to see if your food and treats benefit oral pet care, too. When they endorse a product, they award it their seal of approval. Go to their site and you will see a picture of what can happen if you don't take care of your teeth.  I was going to  put the picture here, but severe periodontal disease is too awful!

I learned all of this from Dr. Visser and his staff at Arizona Veterinary Specialists in Scottsdale.  You should check out his website, and if you go there, tell them that Zoe says, "Hi"....oh and you can see ME on their website, too.

Today's advice is already in my blog, but there will be more dental advice in the future. Here is the seal that you should be looking for: