Hopefully we all know by now that February has been designated as National Pet Dental Health Month. It’s a whole month where the AVMA and several other veterinary groups address the significance of oral care for pets in a variety of ways.
According to studies done by AAHA (The American Animal Hospital Association), approximately 85% of cats and dogs over the age of 3 have some sort of periodontal or dental disease.
Just like people, pets accumulate plaque on a daily basis.
“Plaque is composed of 90% microscopic bacteria that, over time, harden and become tartar or calculus. These bacteria and tartar can lead to gingivitis (gum inflammation), which is the body’s response to the unhealthy bacteria.”
“When the gum tissue is unhealthy, it often progresses to periodontal disease, which causes bone loss at the root of the tooth and then tooth loss.”
“Regular teeth brushing at home can greatly improve oral health, and thus overall health, and help reduce or prevent periodontal disease.”
Since we’re at the end of National Pet Dental Health Month and the month of LOVE and I know that everyone is super psyched to get their pets started on a dental cleaning routine STAT, thanks to our very good friends at Pedigree, who make PEDIGREE DENTASTIXS, dental treats that are clinically proven to reduce tartar build up, we have a great giveaway to help one lucky reader get started on that dental cleaning routine!
The Smooch a Pooch Giveaway!
This super fun basket contains great things for YOU and for your dog:
- One coupon for one free visit to your local Banfield Pet Hospital, located inside PetSmart, for a FREE Office Visit & Dental Consultation. Valid at participating locations. (restrictions apply)
- Paw print keepsake
- Doggie toothbrush
- Doggie Valentine’s Day toys
- Dentastix Fresh samples
- $25 Sephora gift card, mints, a toothbrush & toothpaste – to help keep you fresh, too!
Follow the Rafflecopter below to enter. (Open to US Residents only)
Special thanks to Pedigree! ”Everything we do is for the love of dogs. At our core, we believe every dog deserves a loving home which is why we’re committed to the cause of adoption. We also believe every dog deserves professional nutrition, from pure-breeds to mixed breeds, show dogs to shelter dogs.”
* Disclosure-I received a “Smooch a Pooch” gift basket for me and Pedigree will be shipping the contest winners basket to them directly. All opinions expressed here are mine and mine only. At MyBrownNewfies.com I only share information and products that I support.
Elizabeth says:
It’s a +10 for us!!!!! Luna and Penny both do a good job at letting us brush their teeth. I just wish their was an easier way to get on the inside of their mouths. I can use a double sided tooth brush on Luna, but Penny won’t open her mouth long enough for me to use that kind on her.
Lisette says:
It is a definite 10. I’m actually posting about dog dental health on my blog today!
Daisy says:
That’s a great prize!
XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy
Olivia Rubin says:
10… I don’t brush her teeth. She never liked the toothpastes and I ended up with more on me than in her mouth. I instead scale her teeth. The vet loves how great they look. I have 2 types of scalers that allow me to get all the plaque off and get in between if necessary. She even lets me floss! But doesn’t like the brush. I scale every two weeks and it works great. Ordered them Dr. fosters & smith…vet says she is one of the few that doesn’t need dental cleanings from her.
Jana Rade says:
We’ve been doing quite well keeping Jasmine’s teeth good. It seems, though, that with the repeat steroid treatments, we now have infected gums
Sue at Talking Dogs says:
Neither Jeffie nor Rudy are keen on teeth brushing
So far Rosie thinks its fun, so I’m hoping she won’t change her mind about that like the boys did!
emma says:
Thanks for promoting dental health, you know I feel it is so important and cannot be pushed enough!
2 brown dawgs says:
Very nice giveaway!
April Hurley says:
Dental health is a 10! All or our furpals got dental cleanings this month
LennyG says:
10. Thanks very much for contest!
caren gittleman says:
I know it is a 10……but I am a lazy Mom and need to get my act together! This is the BEST give-away EVER!!!
Dawn says:
I never worried too much about dental care for my dogs since most of them were good chewers and had relatively good teeth. Then I got Pierson who likes to eat poop. He doesn’t eat poop every day because I pick it up immediately, but it seems I can never keep his teeth clean enough. His teeth are worse than Maya’s who is three years older than him. So I brush Pierson’s teeth every day, Maya’s once a week. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the most important, I give it a 10.
Pamela | Something Wagging This Way Comes says:
Since it’s dental care month, I thought you might be able to answer a longstanding question I’ve had about pet toothpaste.
Every pet toothpaste and dental splash I’ve ever seen has Sorbitol in it. I’ve heard that sorbitol is dangerous for dogs. Even if it’s a small amount, is it a good idea to have this in something we use every day?
Because of the sorbitol, I clean Honey’s teeth but I never use toothpaste.
If you have any advice on this issue, I’d appreciate it.
Jen says:
Hi Pamela!
From what I know and have been told, sorbitol is safe for dogs as long as it is in small amounts. Most pet toothpastes that I have seen contain this and also some medications contain sorbitol. (I checked the toothpaste that we carry at work before I left and it had sorbitol in it.)
I’ll try to find out more information.
Pamela |Something Wagging This Way Comes says:
Thx, Jen. I assumed most vets would talk about the small amount of sorbitol in toothpaste. I’m wondering, though, if you use toothpaste every day, does sorbitol build up in the body?
Jen says:
My guess would be yes since it’s a substance not used by the body, but there is such a small amount in toothpaste I’m not sure how significant this is. I believe that sorbitol is naturally found in certain fruits like apples and pears, so if it’s safe to eat an apple a day I would assume the same goes for toothpaste…….but this is just an assumption by me:))))
Pamela | Something Wagging This Way Comes says:
I’m generally not an alarmist. But after Roxanne Hawn’s dog Lilly became very sick from eating paintball ammunition (which contains sorbitol), I’ve been really curious about this.
I suspect it may be something no one has an answer too since I haven’t seen any studies on the topic.
Two French Bulldogs says:
This one keeps brushing our teeth!
Benny & Lily
Roxy the traveling dog says:
Great giveaway. I would say a 10. I am getting more involved with Torrey and her teeth, Roxy won’t let me open her mouth.
Jodi says:
I’m slowly working myself up to brushing their teeth. I did with Delilah today because she was outside eating something she shouldn’t. GROSS.
And I ran some toothpaste along Sampson’s teeth just to let him begin to get used to the idea of it in his mouth.
Gizmo (@GizmoGeodog) says:
I know it’s really important to keep up with Gizmo’s teeth, and admit I’m kind of a slacker in that area…Maybe if I’m lucky enough to win it’ll put me on the right track
Kristine says:
Our dog has always had very healthy teeth, though I know this doesn’t excuse me from brushing them. Our cat’s have been fine as well but I worry a bit more now that he is getting older. He is not a fan of the toothbrush and other than a few tries, I haven’t worked on it a lot with him for fear of losing a finger. But blood, or no blood, his health is worth more than my personal safety!
Dachshund Nola and her Mom says:
It’s a ten for us, for sure! Nola’s teeth get brushed daily, and her vet says she has the best teeth he’s ever seen, particularly on a Doxie.
Nola’s Mom
Amy @ LifewithDoxies says:
Hmmm…on a scale of importance, it’s a 10. On a scale of how much I actually do something about it, probably a 6. I’m a bad dog momma. But my boys eat raw, so that is something positive that helps their teeth!!
Amy / Layla the Malamute says:
Great giveaway!! Oral care is important – but honestly I could be doing more prevention.
Amy / Layla the Malamute says:
Sorry I hit “post” too soon! I’d say an 8 out of 10.
Misty says:
I’d like to say it’s a ten but we only treat it like it’s a five.
Nancy says:
I try to make it a 10 but most of the time it only makes an 8 on the list.
tylersat99 says:
The vet keeps telling me Mica’s teeth are really clean, Lexie won’t let me near hers so I will have the vet clean while she is under for surgery if they need it.
Rick says:
The girls do fairly well on their own, but it is a top health concern.
Bichonpawz says:
Hey Jen…teeth are a huge health concern…thanks for reminding everyone just how important it is! Great giveaway!
Flea says:
This is pawsome! We don’t brush the dogs’ teeth. It’s all I can do to brush and bathe them occasionally. But their teeth are strong and healthy from the chews they get.
A good chew goes a long way toward good doggy dental health!
Amy@GoPetFriendly says:
What a nice giveaway! I’m one of those people that never brushes her dog’s teeth. A raw bone per week and they seem to do pretty well all on their own. That Sephora gift card would be a nice treat.
Nichole says:
What a fantastic giveaway – and I love that it includes both canine and human goodies!
Nichole says:
PS – dental healthy is a probably an 8, but we need to do better!
Sue at Talking Dogs says:
Wow! I am thrilled to have won! And when Jeffie and Rudy see those prizes, they will be, too
Thanks, Jen!