C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews, Petite Dogs, 30 Chews

• Combines natural antiseptic activity with abrasive action for clinically proven plaque control
• Exclusive Dual-Enzyme System eliminates plaque-forming bacteria
• Made using select beefhide
• Give your dog at least 1 chew daily to reduce plaque and calculus
• Please read all label information on delivery

Product Description
C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews for Dogs… More >>

C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews, Petite Dogs, 30 Chews

Dental Hygiene for Dogs

Dogs like to chew. But, dog parents may be entering dangerous territory when choosing appropriate products. Some of the most popular chew items, like rawhide-type chews, hooves, snouts, vinyl dog toys and bones may be killing our dogs.

In 2005, a New York couple filed a $5 million lawsuit against the makers of Greenies ? yes, those popular green toothbrush-shaped chews sold in pet stores and vet clinics nationwide.

According to the lawsuit, Burt, their beloved black and tan Dachshund, was given a petite-sized Greenie. The next day Burt, suddenly ill, was taken to a vet who suspected an intestinal blockage. The diagnosis was confirmed by X-Ray analysis, and Burt underwent emergency surgery. The surgeon removed what was described as a green and rubbery eraser-like object that was lodged in Burt?s small intestine. The lawsuit contends that the object was the “toothbrush” end of a chewed Greenie that had increased in size by approximately 25% while lodged in Burt?s body.

Over three feet of the 12-pound dog?s intestine had decayed and was surgically removed. Over the next 48 hours at the clinic, Burt suffered, bled internally, vomited blood and developed pneumonia and septicemia. He endured three cardiac failures before he died.

The lawsuit was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount of money. The original Greenies were phased out and “new” Greenies soon became available. New Greenies came about following S&M NuTec?s recent acquisition by Mars earlier this year. Billed as the “next generation in canine dental care,” new Greenies claim to be 96% digestible.

Greenies, however, are not unique. Many more potentially dangerous chew products fill the shelves of pet stores ? rawhides, pig ears, snouts, bully sticks, cow hooves, smoked bones, and more.

There is little regulation on dog chew products, but the Food and Drug Administration has issued nationwide public health warning alerting consumers about a number of cases of human illnesses apparently related to contact with dog chew products made from pork or beef-derived materials.

The FDA warned that the products may pose a risk of bacterial infection such as Salmonella infantis which can cause flu-like symptoms in normally healthy people, but may cause far more serious ? even life threatening illness in immune-compromised patients.

Additionally, many rawhide chews and related items are difficult to digest and some dogs swallow large chunks of hide that can lead to intestinal impactions. The harder type products, like hooves and bones have been reported to split, splinter or break and lead to damage in the digestive tract.

Rawhide is the processed skin of animals. Various techniques and chemicals are used in the preparation of these products along with similar versions of chew products such as smoked hooves, etc. Millions of these products are imported and it is physically impossible for the FDA to test all the products and the production methods utilized. Some techniques of hide tanning incorporate mercury and arsenic during the curing process. Distressingly, some chews do not even identify what kind of animal skin or bone was used to produce a chew treat.

Play it safe. Appropriately sized, hard rubber Kongs are the safest products available. They satisfy your dog?s chewing needs, and stuffed with your own foods can safely entertain your dog for hours.

Dog Care Tips For Happy, Healthy Dogs

There are many aspects involved with dog care and making sure you cover them all can be daunting. Dogs are subject to allergies but they catch them from the air. Proper allergy care involves not only treating the symptoms but also prevention. You should bath your dog regularly and rinse their feet after they have been outside to remove any allergens on your dog’s skin.

Dog dental care can also be done at home and is very easy but also critical to your dogs health. Proper dental care provides for more than clean breath, it also keeps your dogs organs healthy as bacterial buildup on the teeth can spread throughout your pets whole system and cause illness and disease.

As with your own dental care you only need a few tools in order to care for your dog’s teeth, these are dental clens solution, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental treats or toys or a dental cleaning dog kit. It may take your dog a few days or even weeks to get used to the dental care procedure but their teeth and gums will be much healthier and not have as many problems as before.

Ear care is particularly important for dogs, especially during the summer. A build up of moisture in the ear canals can cause problems as well as favorable conditions for ear infections. There are many products that can be used to care for your dogs ears including ear powders to keep ears dry, ear miticide to kill ear mites and other ear cleaning solutions that rinse away dirt and loosens waxy build up.

Keeping your dogs eyes clean is also important as this can prevent infections. The most common eye infection for dogs is conjunctivitis. To prevent infections you should use eye cleaning solutions or protective ointments that protect eyes from irritation as well as killing bacteria. You can trim hair from around your pet’s eyes to prevent infection, make sure the corners of their eyes are mucous free, and try to keep your pets away form activities or surroundings where they may get eye trauma. When doing any cleaning or cutting around your dogs eyes, you want to use the utmost care so as to avoid poking your dog in the eye!

As your dog ages there is some additional dog care needs that you should be aware of. Your dog should still exercise but at a lower intensity and for shorter periods of time. Older dogs should use a foam bed to protect their joints when sleeping. You should also take advantage of senior dog food as it will contain important vitamins and nutrients that older dogs may need more of. As dogs age you need to keep a closer eye out for changes in behavior as these can be signs of problems. You should take your dog to the vet as soon as you notice any changes.

Proper dog care also constitutes regular veterinary visits. This way you can be assured that you are providing your pet with everything he needs to be happy, healthy and long lived.

How Taking Care Of Your Dogs Teeth Provides Amazing Benefits

We all know that brushing and flossing is a must if we want to keep all our teeth in our old age. Of course we want to take good care of our teeth and mouths because we desire pearly white teeth that are aesthetically appealing. However, we realize the importance of dental hygiene; we need to take care of our teeth so we don’t succumb to disease that could have been prevented by simply brushing and flossing multiple times each day.

So, what about our dogs? They have teeth too, and they need dental care just like us. Though they don’t mind if their teeth aren’t the perfect shade of white, they probably do care if their mouth is poorly taken care of and if they suffer later on in life as a result from lack of attention. Like humans, dogs can have plaque, cavities, gingivitis, and tartar. Though you can take your pet to the local groomer to get their teeth cleaned, you can do it at home. Here’s how to take care of your pet’s teeth easily and effectively.

The best way to prevent periodontal disease and inflammation is by daily brushing your dog’s teeth. Of course, you will want to begin slowly and entice your dog with treats and praise to encourage him or her to allow you to brush their teeth. This takes time, and effort, but it is well worth it.

When you brush your dog’s teeth, you will most likely want to use a finger toothbrush or a simple kid-sized toothbrush. These are gentle, yet they allow the tartar and plaque to loosen up on the teeth and be flushed out. Also, you will need to make sure you use special doggie toothpaste. You can either get this at your personal veterinary office or at your local pet supply store. When you apply the toothpaste to the toothbrush, be sure to get the paste deep into the brush; if it just sits on top it will quickly come off in your pet’s mouth and be ineffective. Be sure to brush your dog’s teeth at a 45-degree angle, because this helps ensure that every tooth gets properly cleaned, and this makes it more comfortable for you as well.

Other ways that you can help your pet remain in good oral health is to feed them dry food instead of wet food. The crunchy chow works to gently scrub teeth as the food is chewed. Also, there are many, many special treat products available that claim to help clean teeth; though these do help, they certainly are not as effective as actually brushing each day. Chew toys are another way to help keep up good dental health. Chew toys with rubber prongs or ones that are textured certainly help gently rub off plaque from the teeth and are good choices for your pet’s oral health.

Just like humans, dental health is important to dogs. Dogs can suffer from periodontal disease, gingivitis, tartar and plaque. There are doggie toothbrushes, toothpaste, chew toys, food, and treats that help keep your pet’s mouth happy and healthy. Help your dog, and keep their mouth and teeth squeaky clean! the biting!

C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews for Petite/Small Dogs under 11 Pounds, 30 Chews

• Easy-to-digest Oral Hygiene chews treated with dual-enzyme system to help maintain oral health
• Give as a daily treat
• Great tasting
• Features exclusive Dual-Enzyme System to remove plaque and prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria
• Helps keep breath fresh and teeth clean

Product Description
C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews for Dogs… More >>

C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews for Petite/Small Dogs under 11 Pounds, 30 Chews

How Can I Best Care For My Dogs Teeth?

My 5 y.o. lhasa had his first ever teeth cleaning this week at the vet and his teeth look great! They got all of the plaque off and they said that his teeth are very healthy.
How can I best keep his teeth healthy now that the plaque is removed? I’m open to brushing his teeth but don’t know what is the best toothpaste to use and also if there is a toothbrush that works for small dog breeds. I do not, nor will I, give him greenies or animal bones.
Lastly, has anyone heard of a product called “Plaque Off”? Here is the website.http://www.international-dental.com/plaq…
I saw an ad for this in a magazine and am curious if it works. Thanks!

Dental Care For Dogs

It’s often been said that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s. That’s never been proven, but the fact remains that dogs put their mouths places humans would never dare to (or be able to, for that matter). Dogs don’t think twice about sifting through garbage, digging in the yard and licking themselves wherever they can reach. They also use their mouths to carry toys as well as dirty “treasures” from the yard. With their mouths working overtime, good dental care for dogs should be a priority for any dog owner.

A dog’s teeth can be a good indication of overall health. But as important as good dental hygiene is for dogs, many dog owners overlook it. Just like in humans, it’s important to practice routine oral maintenance on your dog. Not only can it help its teeth stay healthy now, but it can also protect against more serious issues later.

If bacteria are allowed to grow in a dog’s mouth, plaque can accumulate on the teeth. If it’s not addressed, it can escalate to more serious concerns. Since a dog’s mouth is used to play and eat, among other things, it’s important to keep it in top shape. The best way to do this is through maintenance and prevention.

Believe it or not, most dogs three years of age and older have some form of gum disease. If a dog’s teeth are neglected, plaque can form, setting the stage for advanced oral diseases. Plaque can bind with minerals in a dog’s saliva and create tartar, which attaches to the teeth and can cause irritation to the gums, or gingivitis. Left untreated, tartar can get under the gum line and dissolve the bones that hold the teeth in place, causing the teeth to become loose and possibly fall out. Periodontal disease, as it’s called, is treatable, but once your dog’s teeth fall out, there’s little to be done. The best line of defense is regular brushing and check-ups.

Home care is important, but it’s also critical to have your dog’s teeth examined regularly by a professional. A simple visual exam can be done in an office visit, but more comprehensive care, such as x-rays and tartar removal, has to be done while the dog is under sedation. It’s safer for both the dog and the medical staff, and it gives the vet an opportunity to do a more thorough exam. Some vets even specialize in dental care for dogs, so it’s worthwhile to investigate your options.

It may take time before your dog is comfortable having its teeth cleaned. If you use a toothbrush, be sure to get your pet familiar with it, so he’s more likely to allow you to use it. A toothbrush allows you to reach teeth more effectively, but a finger brush may be easier to maneuver. Just be sure it fits well, so it won’t fall off in your dog’s mouth. Find a toothpaste formulated for dogs. Human toothpaste is made to be spit out, while a dog will swallow it, so don’t use human products, just to be on the safe side. Many dog toothpastes have added flavors that are attractive to dogs, such as beef, chicken or vanilla.

While brushing your dog’s teeth, take this opportunity to examine its mouth for any signs of disease. Bad breath (that which is out of the ordinary for your dog), yellowing or crust at the gum line, swelling, or pain when you touch your dog’s gums should be noted. These could be signs of infection and should be addressed immediately. Not doing so could result in tooth loss for your dog.

Another important consideration for healthy teeth is your dog’s toys. Excessive chewing on hard surfaces can lead to a dog’s teeth being damaged. If this occurs, bacteria can get into the tooth and cause infection. Bones can splinter and lodge between teeth, rocks can break teeth and toys can cause bleeding gums if a dog chews too aggressively. Be sure to monitor your dog during play time, and only give it toys that are appropriate for your pet’s size and activity level.

Your dog’s food and treats can be a good tool for treating plaque. Dry food can help attack plaque, while there are dog treats on the market that are especially formulated to address the issue of plaque and oral care.

Dental care for dogs consists of relatively simple maintenance. Following these tips can keep your dog healthy for a lifetime.

Tooth And Dental Care For Dogs

One of the most important things we can do to protect the health and actually promote longevity in our dogs is tooth brushing! Dental health is critically essential for wellness of the major systems of the entire body! More on this and other dog care subjects can be found at http://bichonworld.com/bichon-dog-articles.html.

Imagine what would happen to us if we didn’t brush regularly each day! We’d have horrible breath, of course. But even worse, the resulting periodontal disease would mean multiple and severe health problems. The same is true for our 4-legged best friends.

Did you know that periodontal disease is the most common infectious disease in dogs? (This is also true for cats).

Studies indicate that more than 85% of all dogs 4 years and older suffer from periodontal disease! Not surprisingly, then, it is reported that by 3 years of age, 85% of dogs have begun to experience some phase of gum disease.

The progression of the disease begins with the formation of plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms in the mouth at the gum line. Amazingly, 1 milligram of plaque contains more than 1 trillion bacteria – disease causing bacteria!

Plaque left on the teeth hardens into tartar which sticks to teeth like cement. The tartar leads to gingivitis, or gum disease, a condition in which actual gum damage begins. The gums become red and swollen, not to mention painful! Once this happens, the gums start to recede from the teeth, creating even more space for bacteria to grow.

Periodontal disease is now “off to the races” with a variety of very harmful effects. The roots of the teeth loosen as infection starts to cause bone loss. In smaller dogs, like our Bichon breeds, the bone that holds the teeth is thinner than that of medium-sized and larger dogs, so gum disease is likely to be even more of a problem for them.

Perhaps the most devastating and deadly effects of periodontal disease occur as the bacteria enters our companion’s bloodstream through the mouth and gum tissues. This leads to damage of tissue in the heart, kidneys, and liver, and even the lungs and nervous system.

Unfortunately, it is a little known fact that neglecting the dental health of our beloved little buddies can cause potentially fatal heart-disease, kidney-disease, and liver-disease.

The good news is that all this can be prevented! However, please, don’t be fooled into thinking that using dry dog food and providing bones or other chew toys is an effective solution for the necessary dental hygiene!

To maintain a healthy mouth and to prevent the serious conditions that result from ignoring dental needs, 2 things are needed:

* a tooth-brushing routine (preferably daily), and
* periodic professional cleaning by your veterinarian.

There is more good news! Tooth brushing can be done very quickly. Also, there are a variety of tasty doggie toothpastes and gels on the market to make our task easier. (Be sure to avoid using “human toothpaste” since those products are made to spit out and not to swallow!)

Although the thought of daily tooth-brushing for your dog might seem a little daunting at first, you’ll find it very quick and easy once it’s become a habit. Just keep in mind that what you’re doing is adding to the quality and years to your best friend’s life!

What Are The Best Products For A Dog’s Oral Care Routine?

I brush my dogs’ teeth 3-4 times per week, they get CET chews, and one’s had 2 dentals. They’ll chew some, but less in there older age. I’ve been looking at oral care products LEBA III and the PetzLife products. Does anyone have any experience with these or any other suggestions for keeping tartar and plaque at bay in older dogs?