Does your pet have dragon breath? You know the kind I mean – your beloved dog or cat comes up wanting to give your face a big slurp, and you recoil in horror as a blast of foul smelling breath comes your way. According to the American Veterinarian Dental Society, over 70% of pets show signs of dental disease by the age of 3. February is National Pet Dental Month! So this month I’ll be writing about (amongst other topics of course) the importance of good dental care for your pet.

Bad breath is merely one problem caused by dental disease. Other problems included inflamed and bleeding gums, oral pain, and ultimately tooth loss. And periodontal problems are not confined to the mouth. If dental problems are left untreated, the bacteria can spread to your pets’ heart, kidney, liver and other vital organs. Over time, the bacteria will cause irreparable damage.

Because bad breath and dental health problems can be caused by a variety of problems, ranging from plaque and tartar buildup to tumor, it is critical that you pet’s teeth be checked a minimum of once a year by your veterinarian or by a specialist in pet dentistry.