When was the last time you went to the dentist for a teeth cleaning?  Now think about the last time your little furry friend had his teeth cleaned…  Did you know that his bad breath could be a sign of something serious, like gum disease?

According to the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC), periodontal disease is the most common clinical condition in companion animals, and 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have the disease by age 3.

To combat and prevent dental problems for your pet, start by scheduling your pet’s annual dental exam at your veterinarian.

You can also care for your pet’s teeth by brushing them regularly, managing your pet’s diet and giving him dental-friendly toys and treats.

To read the entire article, click here.

Happy holidays from Pet Harbor.  Wishing you lots of cheer, good food and better company.  

Halloween is that special time of year where we can dress up and pretend and get goodies for the effort. While your pets may enjoy this holiday as well please remember the safety and comfort of the animal first.

• Candy is not for your companion animals. It can make them sick and even cause death. Chocolate is the most famous offender but there are ingredients in candy that are not safe for pets. Sorbitol, Malitol, and other artificial sweeteners can cause serious problems. Don’t leave your pet out of the fun – just make sure their treats are PET FRIENDLY and healthy snacks for them!
• Jack o’ Lanterns and lit candles can pose a risk to pets. Curious cats or the wag of a Husky tail can cause serious injury to your pet and property. Please keep live flames out of pets reach.
• Decorations are shiny and interesting new toys for pets. They want to investigate everything. Make sure that your pets are safe when it comes to holiday decorations. Fake spider webbing can be especially dangerous if your pet has to “taste” everything in the house. It could cause a blockage and result in hefty vet bill or even death.
• Playing dress up with the pets can be a lot of fun, just remember their comfort comes first. Avoid costumes that block its vision. Make sure the costume fits snugly but not constricting. Do not force your pet to wear a costume if they show discomfort. I have found that pull over costumes for children work best – or costumes that are made specifically for pets.
• While most enjoy the time to dress up and have fun there are some people with malicious intent. Many animals disappear during this holiday – keep your pets safe! Be especially watchful of black cats, who which are frequent targets of cruel activities on Halloween. Try to keep black cats inside for the week of Halloween. Many animal shelters make black cats unavailable for adoption the week before Halloween because of black cat abuse.
• Loud noises and treaters at the door can cause stress on any animal. Even the gentlest giant can become snippy when the doorbell is constantly going off or you have a house full of noisy guests. I can’t stress enough that the pets comfort is paramount. Put them in your bedroom, or in their room for the evening if you even think it might be an issue.

Hope you have a safe and fun Halloween.
Lehnanne G. Kidd