February is National Pet Dental Month

Eighty percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have some kind of oral disease by the age of 3.

Dental disease is more than just a cosmetic issue.  When your canine companion or feline friend has red gums, yellow teeth and stinky breath, it could be a sign of serious oral disease that could, if let untreated lead to devastating affects on your pet's quality of life. 

Neglecting your pet's teeth and gums can cause chronic pain issues that may even be at the center of certain behavioral problems.

But never fear, pet owners, February is National Pet Dental Health Month, so now is the perfect time to call your veterinarian and schedule a dental check up for your furry family member.

Oral disease can lead to serious consequences for pets, including infection, severe pain and even organ damage. 

With regular oral health maintenance and check-ups, most of these problems can be avoided.

Your pet's dental health should be a concern all year long.

Between regular veterinary examinations, pet owners should look for the warning signs of gum disease such as bad breath, red and swollen gums, yellow-brown crusts of tartar along the gum lines, and bleeding or pain when the gums or mouth are touched.

Pets with developing gingivitis and periodontal diseases often paw at their face or mouth frequently, have excessive drool and may exhibit an unwillingness to eat harder foods.

As with many health issues, prevention is always the best medicine.  

One way you can take a proactive role in preventing oral disease in your pet is by using an important tool that many pet owners neglect to purchase for their four legged friends - a toothbrush.

A soft bristled toothbrush should be used to clean your pet's teeth daily to remove any food particles and prevent the build up of tarter and plaque deposits.  

Make sure to only use toothpaste that is specially formulated for us on pets.

Overall health begins with a good diet but did you know that many dental health issues are caused by malnutrition. 

Work with your veterinarian to address your pet's nutrition and develop a healthy eating plan.

Your veterinarian may recommend a professional teeth cleaning for your dog or cat once a year or as needed. 

Performing a thorough oral exam requires the use of general anesthesia, so your vet will first give your pet a pre-anesthetic exam.  Once the anesthesia is administered your pet's vitals, including respiration, temperature and heart rate, will be monitored while the veterinarian takes dental radiographs and uses instruments to scale and polish your pet's teeth.

Removing tarter and plaque build up that could otherwise lead to dental issues.  

In cases of serious oral disease, your veterinarian may recommend a tooth extraction.

Keeping on top of your pet's dental health has lasting positive effect.

Maintaining oral health can add up to five years to your pet's life.

Matting The Truth & More...

Matting refers to densely tangled clumps of fur in a pet's coat.  If a coat is not properly and/or frequently brush or comb loose and live hair becomes embedded in large masses.  sometime mats can be combed out, but if left too long it is impossible without seriously harming the animal.

Causes

Matting is especially prevalent in long hair dogs during seasonal shedding, if the excessive hairs are not removed.  Regular and frequent grooming, especially brushing is absolutely  necessary to not only prevent mats, but to keep your pet's coat and skin healthy.

Dangers

Severe matting can be extremely painful to your dog during brushing.  Brushing only causes live hairs to be pulled out of the skin with excruciating pain.  Even mild matting can cause your pet a great deal of pain. 

Matting can cut off blood supply to extremities and deny regular air circulation.  Skin denied fresh air and stimulation from regular brushing becomes quite unhealthy.  It can turn dark pink to re and open sores are apt to form emitting foul odors.  Even organic matter, like weeds and stickers can become embedded in the skin.  Matts have been known to contain stool of the pet and even fly larvae that further irritate the skin.  Remember, sometime these mats and their consequences can be completely hidden from view.

Some severely matted pets may require the attention of a veterinarian.

Removing Matts

Shaving a matted cot is a delicate and slow process requiring experience and expertise.  A dog's skin is thin like tissue paper and dense mats can cause it to become loose due to the weight of the matting.  Clippers can easily cut loose skin if not done properly and safely.

After shaving, a pet may develop an itchy skin response.  Owners should watch to ensure that constant scratching  does not cause the skin to become irritated. 

Prevention

Dead, loose hairs should be remove through regular and thorough brushing and combing.  This is especially important for long haired dogs and when dogs shed seasonally. Keeping your dog's hair at a manageable length also helps to prevent matting.  Regular grooming is essential too.

Grooming should be done on a regular basis every 4 to 6 weeks, after 8 to 10 weeks a coat may become too dirty and matted to maintain.

With cold weather here and continuing, we ask you to bring your pets inside and exercise the utmost caution when exposing them to the cold.

As a general rule, if it is too cold for you then it is too cold for your pet.

Bring Your Pet Inside:  Do not leave your pet outside, i the cold for prolonged period of time.  Remember, thermometers might show one temperature, but the wind chills can make it feel much much colder.  Limit time out and be mindful of frostbite on ears, tail and paws.  If you run with your dog, pay attention to cold paws and if it gets too cold, leave your pup at home.  Cats should always be left indoors.  Outdoor cats are often victims of road traffic, wild animals, dog and cruel people and freezing or starving to death in severely cold weather.

Acclimate Your Pet To Cold Weather:  If your pet spend a lot of time outdoors, make sure to introduce him or her gradually to dropping temperatures, rather than exposing them to the extreme cold all at once.

Provide Adequate Shelter:  Adequate shelter is mandate by law.  If your dog lives outdoors, you must provide a well insulated and draft free doghouse.  The opening should face south with a sturdy flexible covering to prevent icy winds from entering. Line the floor of the shelter with straw not hay.  Towels and blankets can become damp or freeze making the space colder.

Beware Of Antifreeze And Rock Salt:  Antifreeze often collects  on driveways and roadways.  Although it smells and tastes sweet to your pet it is lethally poisonous.  If you suspect that your pet has ingested this contact your veterinarian immediately!  Deicing products  like rock salt can irritate foot pads.
Be sure to rinse and dry your pet's feet after being outside.

Dry Off Wet Pets:  A wet pet is a cold pet.  Towel or blow dry your pet if they get wet from rain or snow. Also it is important to clean and dry paws to prevent tiny cuts and cracked pads.

Provide Plenty Of Food And Water:  It takes more energy in the winter to properly regulate body temperature so your pet may need additional calories if he or she spends  a lot of time playing or working outdoors.  Your pet is just as likely to get dehydrated in the winter as in the summer, so be sure to provide plenty of fresh water.  Snow is not a substitute for water.  Refill outside bowls often to prevent freezing.

Carefully Keep Pets Warm Inside:  Keep your pets warm, dry and away from drafts while inside.  Space heaters and other supplemental heat sources can burn your pet.  Keep portable heaters out of reach and make sure all fireplaces have adequate screening. and of course never leave your pet alone with an unattended fire.

Groom Regularly:  Your pet needs a well groomed coat to keep him or her properly insulated/ short or coarse haired dogs might get extra cols do consider a sweater or coat.  Long haired dogs should have their paw hair trimmed o ease in cleaning and snow removal.

Ten Tips For Flying With Fido

1. Book Early

Most airlines only allow one or two dogs on each flight, so it is important to book your dog's ticket as soon as possible. Do not buy your ticket until you call the airline and make sure there is a seat available for your dog on the flight.  Once the agent has confirmed availability, reserve both your seats on the same ticket while you are still on the phone with the agent.

2. Fly Direct

Book a non-stop direct flight whenever possible and try to fly on a weekday when airports are typically less hectic. If your pet will be traveling in the cargo hold, it is best to fly in the morning or evening during the summer and midday during the winter to avoid extremely hot or cold temperatures.

3. Visit The Veterinarian

Make an appointment with your pet's veterinarian for a check up and make sure all vaccinations are up to date.  Obtain a health certificate from your veterinarian dated within 10 days of departure. For travel outside the continental United States, additional planning and health care requirements may be necessary.  Visit your International Pet Travel or contact the foreign office of the country you are traveling to for more information. 

4. Buy A Carrier

Whether your dog is a Chihuahua or a Great Dane, there is a pet carrier to match.  Carriers are available in both hard sided and soft sided.  Soft sided carriers are more suitable for carry on and tend to fit better under the seat, but they are only permitted in the cabin only.  To make sure the carrier will fit under the seat on your flight check the size restrictions of the airline in the Airline Pet Policy Section.  If your dog will be traveling in the cargo hold purchase a hard plastic carrier with holes for ventilation instead.  Carriers must be big enough for your dog to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably.  If the carrier does not permit the dog to do this, the airline will refuse transport.

5. Can I See Some ID

After you have purchased an appropriate carrier, write your dog's name on it and include identification tags with your home address and phone number as well as the address and phone number of someone who can be reached at your destination.  Carry a current photograph of your pet as well.  If your dog gets lost during the trip, a photograph will make it much easier for airline employees or the local authorities to search effectively.  You might also want to consider a permanent form of id (such as a microchip or tattoo) that will increase the likelihood of reuniting with your dog if the dog gets lost on the trip.

6. Take A Test Drive

Animals travel under less stress when they are accustomed to their carrier before they travel.  In the weeks prior to your trip, put your dog in the carrier as often as possible for trips around town.

7. Eat, Drink, Poop, Play

Since a full stomach might be uncomfortable for your dog during travel. Try feeding your dog about four hours before the flight, if possible.  While its best to refrain from feeding your dog right before the flight, you can continue to give your dog water right up to the time of travel.  Just be sure to empty the dish before checking in so it does not spill during the flight.  if you are checking the dog, leave the dishes in the carrier so an airline employee can provide your pet with food and water in the event of an extended delay before or after your flight.  You should also exercise your dog and let your pet use the facilities (i e grass) before heading to the airport. 

8. Arrive Early

Arrive at the airport early, but not too early and have your dog's health certificate handy.  You will not be allowed to check your pet in more than four hours before the  flight.  Most airlines recommend arriving two hours before your flight when traveling with a pet.  Passengers with pets must check in at the counter, curbside and self service check in are not allowed. 

9. Do not Take A Valium

Do not give your pet tranquilizers just because you are nervous.  Dogs should not be given sedatives or tranquilizers prior to flying, because they can create respiratory and cardiovascular problems as the dog is exposed to increased altitude pressures.  They can also alter the animal's natural ability to balance and maintain equilibrium which can be dangerous when the carrier is moved. While sedation is generally no advised, the decision on whether or not to prescribe a tranquilizer for your pet should be made by your veterinarian.  If he or she decides that tranquilizers are medically necessary for the trip, indicate the name of the drug taken and the dosage on the dog's carrier.

10 You Have Arrived!

When you arrive at your destination go for a long walk before you check in at the hotel.  Your dog will feel more comfortable as soon as he or she sees and smells their surroundings and realizes that the same rules and boundaries apply here too.  By the time you check into the hotel, your dog will already feel right at home and be ready for whatever adventures are in store for that week.

Packing List

Do not forget these items when packing your dog's suitcase:

Health certificate and medical records.
Contact information for your regular veterinarian and an emergency contact at your destination.
Comb, brush and flea control products
Any special medication your dog might need.
Spare collar with id tag.
Pet wipes or grooming products.
Paper towels and stain remover.
Enough dog food and treats for the entire trip.
Plenty of bottled water ( a sudden change can upset your dog's stomach).
Food and water dishes.
Leash and poop bags.
Your dog's favorite toy and blanket. 

                                   10 Ways To Unknowingly Crush Your Cat's Spirit

1.  Not cleaning the litter box:  Leave the box filled with kitty's waste because some new litters promise freshness for multiple days, so you wait till the weekend for that dreaded chore of cleaning the litter box.   Imagine leaving your own toilet unflushed all  week long, and you will know how your cat feels.

2. Shouting: Raised voices will terrify your cat.  Feline ears are extra sensitive to loud noises, so yelling is amplified to extreme levels.  A cat who hears shouting will flatten his or her head and look for a place to hide, away from the sound and fury.

3. Punishing:  Yelling "bad cat", throwing things, motioning in anger, and scolding your cat when he or she misses the litter box or claws your sofa, tells her or him you are unhappy, even if they have no idea why.  Grabbing him or her and shoving their face in a mess will leave them petrified.  Their eyes will darken in fear, but will not alter their displeasing behavior because you are teaching them to be afraid.

4. Ignoring The Pain:  Looking away when your cat repeatedly chews at a sore spot on their belly or furiously scratches at their ears.  Cats are masters at hiding their discomfort whether an infected tooth makes eating difficult or a urinary tract infection means litter box visits are pure agony.  Monitoring your cat's well being means being a pain detective so you know what ails your cat, even if he or she cannot tell you directly.

5. Leaving the Light Off: Left alone in a silent home when darkness falls, your cat will feel abandoned.  Yes, cats can see in the dark,but why not provide a radio for murmured sounds of companionship, and a nightlight, a small beacon of brightness to remind Tabby that you will be home soon.

6. Teasing: Pulling on your cat's tail, blowing on face, ruffling the fur while they are sleeping, picking them up if they dislikes being handled, jiggling her in your arms.  such antagonizing behavior confuses and depresses your cat who wants to love you.  Why goad him /her into feeling dislike instead?

7. Skipping The Small Stuff: Never grooming your cat, allowing them to experience the discomfort of hairballs.  Not trimming their claws,  so that they snag them around the house.  Not checking their ears for mites, even when they shake their head repeatedly. Ignoring their problems chewing even if it signals gum or tooth trouble.  The little things add up and can deplete your cat's energy and health.

8. Hurting: Hitting, kicking, physically harming a cat in any way, from a "light tap" to a hard smack, is inhumane, evil morally wrong and guaranteed to instill fear in any cat.  Breaking their spirit and their heart, in the process.  Physical pain teaches cats to fear people.

9. Not Filling or Cleaning the Water Dish:  Filling a small bowl with water and letting the cat drink from it no matter how long it sits, how much dust accumulates, what spills into it, then topping off the same bowl a few days from now without washing it.  This gives your cat the opportunity to drink stagnant water, down to the last drop.  And how many times have you enjoyed a bottled water today?

10. Neglecting Your Cat:  Offering your cat no attention, no conversation, no affection, no interaction and no playtime leave your cat confused.  They crave even the  smallest gesture or word of kindness in exchange for their pure devotion to you.  

The Perfect Holiday Gifts for your pet.
Now available at Stinky's Kittens & Doggies Too
Do not know what to give we offer Gift Cards in any amount.

Why is clay litter so bad?

Did you know that clay-based cat litter contains a clumping agent called sodium bentonite?  

Did you know that it can be dangerous and potentially fatal for cats?

Sodium bentonite is acquired by clay litter manufacturers through strip mining. 
Strip mining involves the removal of trees, shrubs and wildlife from a given areas.

The top layer of soil can be extracted to access buried deposits of the profitable materials underneath.  Strip mining is incredibly disruptive to plant and animal life and pollution becomes a serious concern if the excavated material is process on site.

The good news, Consumers now have a healthier and safer option for their cats.

Be sure to offer them the goodness of all natural cat litter:  For example Swheat Scoop.
Made from wheat and natural grains, better for cats, people and the planet.