Happy #NationalDogDay! :D

Today is National Dog Day! :D

Of course, everyday is Dog Day for us ;)

We hope everyone has a great day with their four-legged best friends♥
 

Stay happy and Healthy!
~Heather and Jesse~

"Making Happy Pet Homes" Starring Jesse

Jesse stars in the new commercial for Vectra Pet "Making Happy Pet Homes" :D

I love how it turned out ♥ The shoot was filmed on Venice Beach at the end of last year, and was so much fun to be a part of~ Kaine also stars in the commercial:

 

Stay Happy and Healthy!

~Heather and Jesse~

National Pet Dental Health Month!☆

February is National Pet Dental Health Month!

Dental health is a very important topic. We don’t think twice when it comes to keeping our teeth healthy. We teach children proper hygiene habits when they are little, and encourage them to brush their teeth twice a day, floss, and use mouth wash (in addition to regular visits to the dentist.)

But what about our furry, four-legged family members?

Their dental health is just as important.

Keeping their teeth healthy and plaque-free helps prevent dental diseases, gives them fresh breath, and can even add years to their life.

Did you know that dental disease affects 89% of dogs three years and older?

Dental disease can cause many health issues in your dog if left untreated.

Weekly teeth checks can help you catch a problem before it becomes serious. Signs of a problem include red gum lines, bad breath, and cracked or chipped teeth. You can teach your dog to target the top of their muzzle to your hand by using shaping and positive reinforcement when you want to look at their teeth. By making it a fun and positive experience, your dog won’t mind if you take a look inside their mouth.
Good doggie dental hygiene starts at home.
You can easily teach your dog to enjoy having their teeth brushed, and there are many types of doggie toothpaste available on the market.
Please make sure to never use human toothpaste with your dog, as they contain chemicals that are dangerous for dogs if ingested.
Once you have a brand of toothpaste you like, you will need to get your dog accustomed to the taste. If you put a small spot of the toothpaste on your finger, most dogs will lick it off. Dog toothpaste is safe for dogs to swallow, and you don’t have to worry about rinsing it out of their mouths once you finish brushing their teeth.

Finding a doggie toothbrush is easy. There are a few different varieties you can choose from; including a rubber finger toothbrush, a toothbrush with soft bristles, a toothbrush with rubber bristles, a self-chewing toothbrush, and a multiple head toothbrush designed to reach every side of the tooth at once.

 

When you decide on the type of toothbrush to use, you will need to familiarize your dog to having his teeth brushed. An easy way to get your dog used to having their mouth handled, and having something touching their teeth, is to put a tasty treat such as peanut butter or spray cheese on your finger, and let him lick the treat off.

Most dogs will easily get used to you brushing their teeth, but if they don’t take to it right away, you can start slowly, by taking it one step at a time. Start by touching your dog’s muzzle, and give a treat. Then lift your dog’s lips, and give a treat. Once you have this step, progress up to gently touching their gums with your finger, then their teeth with the empty toothbrush, all the way up to adding the toothpaste, then slowing brush their teeth; each time giving a treat for the individual steps. Going at your dog’s pace will help make having their teeth brushed a positive experience.

Daily dental chews are a great addition to a dental hygiene regimen. There is a wide variety available to choose from including edible dental chews, rawhide, bully sticks, tendons, bones, and chews made of nylon that have been infused with flavors such as chicken, beef, or bacon.

        

When choosing a dental chew for your dog, it helps to be informed about not only what goes into the chews, but how they are made, and where they are sourced.

The edible dental chews have ingredients that fight plaque and tartar, as well as give your dog fresh breath, and are usually given as a daily treat for healthy teeth. Each brand has a unique design created specifically to encourage dogs to chew, and to reach all the way back to the molars for a full mouth clean.

DentaStix are one of Jesse’s favorite dental chews, and he loves getting them as a special treat after a nice long walk or a game of fetch at the park. The DentaStix have a unique X-shaped pattern that has been clinically proven to decrease tartar and plaque build-up; easily cleaning between the teeth, and at the gum line. Some flavors even include green tea extract and parsley for an extra cleaning effect, and added fresh breath.

There is a wide-variety of dental chews available at PetSmart, with different shapes and flavors that are sure to satisfy your dog’s palate. PetSmart is having a sale on their Dental Chews right now in celebration of
"National Pet Dental Health Month!"

While there are many cooked bones available for purchase on the market, the best bones are ones that are raw, and easy for a dog to chew. Safe handling practices of raw treats will ensure you and your dog don’t get sick. Cooked bones can cause a couple of problems when dogs chew on them including a choking hazard, gastro-intestinal issues, and broken or cracked teeth; resulting in expensive surgeries.

Rawhide is another chew that can cause illness to your dog; depending on where the rawhide is made, as well as the additives added to the treat. If the rawhide is of low-quality and laced with chemicals, your dog can become sick from ingesting the rawhide. Many rawhides made overseas in China include chemicals, and are even painted white when the hide has become rancid from travel. This makes them a hazard when chewed on and ingested by our dogs.

High-quality, USA-made, all-natural rawhides are the safest rawhides to give as treats.

The Whole Dog Journal has a great article on
"How to Choose the Best Rawhide Chews for Your Dog"

If you want to go all-natural, bully sticks and tendons are the perfect choice to help clean teeth! They are low in fat and provide a great source of protein to your dog. Pig ears, cow ears, and lamb ears are also a favorite of Jesse's.

There are even dental toys available to help clean your dog’s teeth when they play with them. The toys brush against the teeth, helping to loosen plaque.

Sometimes brushing and chews alone don’t catch all the plaque on your dog’s teeth.
A dental additive added to the water can help get the hard to reach plaque off your dog’s teeth, and give your dog minty fresh breath.

A tooth scaler also works wonders at removing plaque. Make sure your dog is comfortable staying still while you gently scrape away the plaque on their teeth with the scaler. I wouldn’t recommend using these on a rambunctious dog or puppy who won’t stay still, as you can cause serious injury if they move while you are scaling their teeth. Teaching your dog to accept, and even enjoy, dental health routines will make you both much happier, and your dog healthier.

Making a schedule for your dog’s dental routine can make it easier to remember to take care of your dog’s teeth.

Below is an example of a dental routine I use with Jesse.

Doggie Dental Hygiene Routine:
☆Brushing your dog’s teeth at least 3 times a week
☆Giving Daily Dental Chews to help remove tartar
☆Once a month plaque removal with a scaler
☆Water dental additive to help keep breath fresh
☆Regular visits to the vet to keep your pup healthy and happy

It is never too early to start a dental health regimen. I have been giving Jesse appropriate chewies since he was a puppy.

I love finding a variety of chews for Jesse, and make sure to give him a selection to choose from. He gets to choose different flavors of his chews to chew on.

Jesse’s dental health has been an important part of our grooming schedule, his whole life. He’s had that pearly white, award-winning smile since he was a puppy. ♥

By keeping your dog’s teeth clean and healthy all year round, you are adding to their quality of life, helping to prevent various dental diseases, and keeping your dog happy and healthy for years to come!

 

Stay Happy and Healthy!

~Heather and Jesse~