Petland Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel Florida - In Recognition National Pet Dental Health Month Petland Wesley Chapel Offers Tips on Dental Hygiene for Pets.

Wesley Chapel, FL, February 06, 2009 --(PR.com)-- "Proper dental hygiene is equally as important for our pets as it is for us. While we typically brush our teeth twice a day, we tend to ignore the oral hygiene of our pets. At Petland, we're committed to offering advice to our customers on all aspects of their pets' health," said Vickie Sargent-Kler, president of the Petland store in the Shoppes at New Tampa, located in Wesley Chapel Florida.

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, roughly 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats display indications of oral disease by age three, which can result in bad breath, tooth loss and receding gums. Serious infections caused by oral disease also can enter a pet’s bloodstream, thus causing potential issues of the heart, kidneys and liver.

Pet Dental Health

Petland Wesley Chapel recommends that pet owners adhere to the following tips on a regular basis to ensure proper dental health for their pets:

• Look for signs of tooth decay and oral disease by routinely inspecting your pet's teeth. Bad breath, discoloration and tartar are all indications of problems that could lead to serious health risks with the potential for not only damaging teeth and gums, but internal organs as well.

• Brush your pet's teeth daily or at least weekly. Toothpaste that is made for people should not be used for pets. Your veterinarian can recommend proper pet-safe toothpaste.

• Feed your dog or cat crunchy food. The abrasive texture of hard food can help keep teeth clean, while soft food can cling to your pet's teeth and lead to decay. Also consider crunchy treats, which help clean pet’s teeth.

• Chew toys for dogs and chewable rope toys for cats are not only immensely entertaining for your pet, but also keep their teeth clean and breath smelling fresh. Petland Wesley Chapel says it is important to schedule regular visits with your family veterinarian to ensure that your pet’s oral health is successfully maintained. Your veterinarian should periodically clean your pet’s teeth to help remove plaque and tartar.

Tartar, which is created by the mixture of food debris, saliva and bacteria in the mouth, should not be allowed to build up. If tartar does accumulate, your pet will need to undergo a routine procedure while under general anesthesia. Oral hygiene is a critical part of your pet's overall health.

According to a report in the December 15, 2007, edition of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, due to advances in technology and veterinary education, veterinary dentistry has evolved into comprehensive treatment of periodontal and other dental diseases.

Periodontal disease, which begins as plaque, is an infection of the tissue surrounding the teeth that takes hold in progressive stages. Initially, plaque is soft, and brushing the teeth or chewing hard food and toys can dislodge it. If left to spread, plaque can lead to gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums, causing them to become red, swollen and prone to bleeding easily. If the plaque and tartar buildup continues unchecked, infection can form around the root of the tooth. Eventually, the tissues surrounding the tooth are destroyed, the bony socket holding in the tooth erodes and the tooth becomes loose. This is a very painful process for a pet to endure.

Overall Pet Health
Though teeth brushing and oral care are large factors in keeping your pet healthy, there are other measures you can take to ensure their overall health. Petland Wesley Chapel recommends that pet owners do the following things to contribute to their furry best friend’s overall hygiene:

• Exercise. A pet that is physically fit has a much better chance of living a longer, healthier life. Physical activity helps prevent excess weight gain, supports a pet’s metabolism and serves as an outlet for pent-up energy.

• Grooming. A pet that is routinely brushed and bathed is less susceptible to skin and coat disorders. Grooming also includes checking a pet’s ears to make sure they are clean, as well as keeping nails trimmed.

• Stay up-to-date on vaccines. Make sure your pet receives its annual vaccinations and boosters, including rabies, distemper, herpesvirus, Bordetella, kennel cough and feline leukemia.

Petland Wesley Chapel is part of Petland, Inc., a franchise operation with more than 200 quality, full service, retail pet centers across the United States, Canada, Japan, Chile and South Africa.

For more than 40 years, Petland Pet Counselors have been dedicated to matching the right pet with the right person and meeting the needs of both. To its customers who already have pets, Petland is dedicated to enhancing their knowledge and enjoyment of the human-animal bond.

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