Pet Pals was founded with the belief that people can live the lives they want while having the loved, cared for, and well-behaved pets they want.
We accomplish this through our many customized services including; in your home pet sitting, dog walking, Pet Pals’ mentorship program, Pet Pals Online Store, and more. All tailored directly to your specific needs and lifestyle.
Beyond this, we provide our pet community the latest information in pet care and pet education through Pet Pals’ Bark & Learn series, blog, Facebook community and other social media platforms, community give back programs, and more. We do this at no cost to you and no membership requirement.
Pet Pals does this, because pet education and your ability to make well-informed decisions about your pets, or future pets, is the starting foundation toward achieving everyone’s goals. And in doing so, Pet Pals maximizes the value for you and our ability to be here for you in the way you need us at every step of your pet journey.
Please enjoy this ongoing series at no cost to you and no membership requirement.
We know there is a lot of noise in the dog training industry, which is why we spend a lot of time training ourselves, researching, and listening to our industry about what method is proven —and to help you train and protect your dogs mind.
Dental Care Do’s for your Pets!
January was National Train Your Dog Month. This first month kicked the year kicked off with great convos and lots of people telling about the things they learned!
February is Dental Health Month and Pet Pals is going to keep the momentum going. Beyond great conversations and learning, your dog's dental health is important! And did you know, something as simple as bad breathe in dogs could be a sign of a serious health risk with the potential to damage your pet's internal organs? Pet Pals Bark & Learn Series will be talking all about dental health. Keeping a dog or cat’s mouth healthy is a key part of overall good health; after all, the mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body. Here are some ways to keep teeth clean without feeling as if it’s a chore for you and your pet.
There is nothing more affectionate than big doggie licks and kitty kisses. But it’s a grimacing turn-off if accompanied by bad breath! And there’s more to that malodorous smell to be concerned about; bad breath is a common sign of dental issues.
With February being National Pet Dental Health Month, it’s a great time to commit to a tooth tune-up for your dog or cat. Take advantage of discounts on offer at veterinary clinics for dental cleaning and general preventive care and stock up on special dental products and treats to ensure your pet’s mouth is in pristine condition year-round.
Regular Care:
Cleaning your pet’s teeth daily with a specially designed pet toothbrush and pet-specific toothpaste is the most effective way to avoid buildup of plaque and tartar. But pets often fight this regimen, which ultimately means that harassed pet parents give up the fight!
Thankfully, there are easier alternatives to promote a healthy mouth. Pets who happily allow their people to open their jaws will probably tolerate having their teeth and gums wiped with special pet dental wipes, which may contain mild abrasives such as bicarbonate of soda as well as breath fresheners. Another practical daily alternative is using a spray or gel that fights plaque buildup. Always check the label to make sure a product is safe for cats.
There are also water additives that can be safely added to the water bowl. They can’t be used in pet fountains with filters, so it’s a good idea to have a secondary water source in the home that can be refreshed daily and such products added.
Functional Treats:
Because chewing is a gentle abrasive action that helps to promote good pet oral hygiene, a plethora of treats are designed to make the task of maintaining a healthy mouth stress-free. Dental treats are designed to clean teeth or freshen breath, through their shape or with special teeth-cleaning enzymes. When it comes to such functional treats, it’s important to select the correct size most suitable to your dog’s mouth for them to be effective and safe.
There is also a range of dental treats for cats available in popular feline flavors such as chicken and fish. Simply add one to your pet’s feeding regimen in the morning and it will help take care of dental hygiene on a daily basis.
A great feline dental tip comes of board-certified veterinary dentist Jan Bellows, DVM, of All Pets Dental in Weston, Florida. He suggests dipping a cotton swab in tuna juice and rubbing it along the teeth and gums. Again, it’s the gentle abrasive action at work. Only do what your cat allows; tomorrow is another day!
Dental Toys:
Tug toys made of rope are often considered the doggie “dental floss” of the toy box. Look for knotted ropes made from cotton infused with breath fresheners. Durable rubber toys with rope attachments are ideal for aggressive chewers, simultaneously exercising jaw and facial muscles.
Rope toys have a limited lifespan so stock up when the price is right and then make that veterinary dental appointment.
Pet Pals is FEAR FREE Trained and Certified!
Pet Pals Bark & Learn Series, born out of Pet Pals’ philosophy and strong commitment to give back to our Community and help build strong Pet/Human relationships is a free educational service. The Series covers a wide range of pet related topics to demystify topics not commonly known, debunk myths routinely spread about certain pets/breeds/etc., provide simple and relevant behavioral tips, and so much more. Each month, Pet Pals releases another Bark & Learn to help our community and assist people in living the lives they want while having the loved, well cared for, and well-behaved pets they deserve!
The above written dental information was shared by Pet Pals and written by Sandy Robins and reviewed/edited by board-certified veterinary behaviorist Dr. Kenneth Martin and/or veterinary technician specialist in behavior Debbie Martin, LVT from Fear Free Homes.
Pet Pal Keli is an experienced mentor and positive reinforcement advocate. She is a native mentor with more than 15 years of working experience in the industry.
We know there is a lot of noise in the dog training industry, which is why we spend a lot of time training ourselves, researching, and listening to our industry about what method is proven —and to help you train and protect your dogs mind.