The Importance of Dental Care for Your Pet
Doggy Day Care: What You Need to Know to Find the Right One
What to Know About Dog Parks and Safety Tips
The Importance of Dental Care for Your Pet
It’s important to take good care of your teeth. If you don’t, it can bring on other health issues. The same is true for your family pets.
“Dental health is a very important part of your pet’s overall health, and dental problems can cause, or be caused by, other health problems,” according to the article, “Pet dental care” at American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). To keep your pet’s teeth and gums in good shape, have your veterinarian check him once a year, the article said.
If you see any of the following signs, the AVMA article suggests you bring your pet to the veterinarian before his yearly dental checkup:
• Bad breath
• Loose or broken teeth
• Discolored teeth or teeth with tartar
• Pain in/around the mouth
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Swelling in the mouth area
Pets can experience similar dental problems as humans, the AVMA article said, including:
• Broken teeth and roots
• Periodontal disease
• Tumors or cysts in the mouth
Since February is Pet Dental Health Month, it’s a great time to get your pet’s teeth checked. “According to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), after they reach the age of three, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats will manifest some form of dental disease,” according to the article, “Get Amped for Pet Dental Health Month – February” at I Love Veterinary. “Pet Dental Health Month is an important annual event that helps pet owners learn about the importance of pet oral hygiene.”
It’s the perfect time for pet parents to learn about their pet’s dental health and help keep their pet’s teeth and gums healthy, including brushing your pet’s teeth and scheduling cleanings with your vet. “Good oral hygiene is essential for pet health, as pet dental problems can lead to serious health issues,” the I Love Veterinary article said.
Doggy Day Care: What You Need to Know to Find the Right One
Doggy Day Care centers are all the rage these days. They have become very important over the years for pet parents who work or need to let their dogs socialize and expend some energy. With so many facilities out there, how do you choose the right one?
“The dog daycare and boarding industry is under-regulated, so it’s important you find a daycare where your dog will be safe, happy, and well cared for,” according to the article, “Choosing the Best Daycare for Your Dog” at Preventive Vet. Consider the following when checking out doggy day cares including “the style of daycare, staff-to-dog ratio, staff experience and training, cleaning procedures, dog handling and training methods,” the article said.
The Preventive Vet article suggests the following when choosing a doggy day care;
• Ensure staff is transparent and discusses their protocols and gives a tour of the facility.
• Choose the type of facility, from dog park style, separated play area style, and home style.
• Ask questions including vaccination requirements, spay/neuter requirements, daycare trial process, ratio of staff to dogs, how many dogs in each group, fencing/safety features, any certifications and training they have at the day care.
It’s very important that staff watch dogs as they play together as you never know what might happen. “A good doggy day care should always have at least one or two staff members on duty in each play area to intervene if necessary,” according to the article, “What to Look for in a Doggy Day Care” at Vetstreet.com. “Fights can occur even among well-socialized dogs, and trained staff should be on duty to break up disputes or attend to medical needs in an emergency.”
A doggy day care should inform pet parents on their dog’s day and how they did with the other dogs.
What to Know About Dog Parks and Safety Tips
If you’re thinking of taking your dog to a dog park, make sure to do some important research before you go. Not all dog parks are created equal. And not all dogs are made for dog parks.
First be sure your dog is safe at all times. Check out any dog park you are interested in to see if you like what you see, according to the article, “Dog Park Safety: What to Know Before You Go,” at Fetch by WebMD. If you see aggressive dogs and owners who are not minding their dogs, that is probably not the place for you and your dog.
“Understand too that dog parks are meant for pets that are well-socialized,” the Fetch by WebMD article said. “If your buddy is aggressive or has issues that could make him hostile toward another dog playing with a ball or Frisbee, the dog park is not the place to teach him to make friends or share his toys.”
According to the article, “10 Dog Park Safety Tips” at PetHub, there are some safety precautions to take before heading to that dog park, including:
• Ensure your dog is vaccinated.
• Be sure to open and close the gate to the park.
• Know your dog and his personality. Leave him home if he’s aggressive or fearful.
• Make sure your dog is healthy and feels OK to play with other dogs.
• Your dog should always wear ID tags as dogs can escape or get lost.
• Have your cellphone and make sure it’s charged. Accidents sometimes happen, so be prepared.
• Always watch your dog and be responsible
• “Pick up your pooch’s poo,” the PetHub article said.
If you follow the rules and your instincts, your dog can have lots of fun. Just keep a watchful eye on him at all times.
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