February is dental month for pets, which means it’s time to pay special attention to your pet’s oral hygiene. For pets, a healthy mouth means a healthier body—yet most dogs and cats over the age of 3 live with dental disease. 

Here’s what Parkside Animal Hospital wants families to know about pet dental care this February. 

Most of us know that any word ending in “-itis” usually isn’t good. In fact, the suffix refers to disease characterized by inflammation. Because of the enormous impact that dental health has on the whole body, we emphasize dental cleanings 1-2 times a year. Additional tactics at home, such as daily or weekly brushing, dental chews, or even water additives, can prevent gingivitis and stomatitis in cats. 

Responsible pet ownership is no small achievement. Every single day, there are dozens of choices that either support a pet’s health and well-being or fall short of meeting their needs. Of all the things owners can do to care for their pets, including providing the best food, exercise, and bonding experiences, taking care of their teeth and gums is a hugely important choice. This task not only keeps their mouth free of bacteria, plaque, and tartar, but prioritizing pet dental health could add years to their life!

A treat is just a treat unless, that is, it’s working to lift unhealthy plaque off the surface of the teeth. Then it’s more like medicine, although your dog doesn’t need to know that. While many dental chews are worth the money, not all dog dental treats provide the same health benefits. We’ll help you decide if dog dental treats are something to consider, or whether they’re not worth all the hype.