Veterinary Help

There are multiple things to consider when choosing to add a dog to the family - big or small, adult or puppy, purebred or mix-breed. The following are just some issues to think about before you make your decision.

Size matters. How much room do you have for this new pet is the obvious first question. Other things to consider are activities with the pet. Very small dogs with young children can be dangerous for the pet as small dogs break bones easily when accidentally dropped or stepped on. On the other hand, smaller dogs may be less frightening to a child. Do you want a pet to carry around and dress up or a larger one to rough house in the park with? Also consider cost since veterinary care is often related to the pet’s size. Obviously food, heartworm prevention and medications cost much more for a 100 pound dog than a 5 pound dog.

Do you want an adult or puppy? There are advantages and disadvantages to each. Adult dogs often don’t need to be house broken and may already have some degree of training. Of course you may also have to untrain some unwanted behaviors that they have picked up. If you are interested in an adult dog but are concerned about any unwanted behaviors, consider adopting a dog already placed in a family such as one from a rescue organization that uses foster homes. The foster family can give you a report of how the dog handles his temporary home environment. An adult dog may have been given up because it was escaping from the back yard but may be the perfect dog for you if you have a high fence and do not intend to leave it unattended for long periods of time. With puppies, you get to start from scratch but this means the commitment of doing all the house training, socialization and teaching manners yourself.

Purebred or mix-breed? Purebreds may be more predictable in both their strengths and weaknesses. You know what the breed’s intended job is (hunting, herding, guard dog, lap dog) and what its intended traits are. A good breeder’s goal is to produce dogs as close to the ideal breed standard as possible. They will have excellent records of a dogs family history - good traits and bad as well as health history. Inherited diseases are hopefully avoided by careful breeding but since that is not always possible, despite best efforts, you can at least have an idea of what to monitor for - hip dysplasia is an example here. Remember that even the best breeding in the world can not predict what any particular dog will be like both in temperament and health. If your goal is to breed your new dog you will obviously want a pure bred. It is imperative that you purchase a quality dog so do your research. You can find a wealth of breed specific information from the American Kennel Club, local breed organizations, purebred rescue groups and breed specific web sites. With mix-breed dogs you tend to have less chance inherited disease, often referred to as hybrid vigor, though these problems are still possible. With a mix, the hope is to get the best from the contributing breeds while eliminating any undesired traits.

Other questions to ask when picking a dog is how much time you have to devote to the dog and what its purpose in your household will be. Do you want a calm and quiet dog or one that requires abundant exercise? Energetic dogs can be a joy for someone with an active lifestyle but the same dog can be a disaster without the proper exercise, attention and training. A similar question is do you want a dog that was intended to hunt, herd, guard or simply be a lap dog/companion? Will your dog need to spend time with an activity specific trainer (hunting, agility, etc)? Do you intend to spend time daily brushing the dog’s hair coat or do you prefer one with minimal grooming requirements?

This article is certainly not all encompassing since there many factors that go into choosing a dog. Make a list of the traits your perfect dog would have and then begin research. Even if you opt for a mix-breed, these dogs often show traits of their component breeds. By knowing what you want and what you are realistically prepared for you will increase the chance that your new dog will fit in well with your family.

Much like in humans, pets such as dogs or cats can both suffer from bad breath as a result of a buildup of plaque. In more serious conditions, a pet can develop gingivitis, which can lead to further health problems. In order to prevent both bad breath and any other serious conditions that can result due to bacteria, it is important for all pet owners to understand how to brush their pet’s teeth.

Although it can be tricky at first to learn how to brush your pet’s teeth, it is not a perfect science and therefore just requires practice. Ideally, after a few weeks of learning the basics this should become an every day ritual. The first step to begin working towards a healthy set of teeth and gums is to first have your local veterinarian check your pet’s teeth. If your dog already has gum disease or a broken or chipped tooth, brushing can cause irritation teaching your dog that this is an unpleasant processes.

Before you begin the process of brushing, it is a good idea to place the toothbrush in your pet’s mouth for a brief period. Then, remove it, praise and reward your pet and then put it away for the day. After several days of this, your pet will become used to having a foreign object in their mouth and associate it as something pleasurable because of the rewards.

One thing to make sure as trivial as it may seem is to make sure to purchase a set of toothbrush and toothpaste that is clearly designed for pets. Most local pet stores will have several options and if not, your vet can provide you with one.  Many pet owners have attempted to use human dental products on their pet which can cause both irritation and sickness in animals. It is very important to have toothpaste that is specifically formulated for cats and/or dogs. Despite all your efforts to find the appropriate products for your pet, they may still find the whole process uncomfortable and repudiate your attempts to brush their teeth with a typical toothbrush. However, there are other options such as finger toothbrushes which can also be obtained from a local pet store, if this also fails speak with your vet about other alternatives.

In order to alleviate any pain or discomfort while brushing your pet’s teeth make sure you take into account a few simple steps for optimal comfort. First make sure your pet is on a clean surface that they are used to. Already, this will make them less nervous. Also, try not to be forceful when brushing their teeth. This is especially true in cats because of their sensitivity to water. Cats do not like feeling constricted and by holding them too tight will make them feel claustrophobic.

In order to train your dog to like or at least withstand the brushing, make sure you are very soothing and kind on them, and use an easy circular motion much like as if you were brushing your own teeth. Afterwards make sure to reward them with some sort of greenie which is a treat that has tartar-control in it. Also, with a new puppy it is a good idea to begin this as soon as he is brought home. That way it will become a natural daily process for him. It is also a good idea to have your pet undergo a yearly dental cleaning at the vet once the dog or cat reaches the age of 3.

If you notice bad breath still persists, keep an eye out for any dental abnormalities during brushing. Often times an abscessed tooth can be the reason behind bad breath and requires the assistance of a veterinarian to fix. Some pet stores also sell dog and cat formulated mouthwash which like the toothpaste is supposed to decrease plaque and tartar buildup. If after all these attempts you still find your pet’s breath to be troublesome begin to look at their diet. Often times, canned pet food can be a catalyst for bad breath if it is the sole element in a cat or dogs diet. The solution is to substitute any soft canned food diets with dry food as well if at all possible. In some rare cases due to gum diseases or old age, soft food is the only option.

Finally, in very rare cases bad breath in cats and dogs can be caused by gastrointestinal diseases. Naturally, if you have any reason to believe this is the cause, contact your local vet.

There are plenty of urban myths in the world about how to best brush your pet’s teeth and cure their bad breath most of which are false. Try and avoid any tartar reducing treats unless bought directly from a pet store or vet. Many families have tried to feed their dogs carrots with peanut butter to remove plaque, however, because of the buildup of peanut butter can actually cause intestinal problems in rare cases and is not advised. The best tips are just making sure your vet includes a dental exam and teeth cleaning during your pet’s regular checkup and learning how to effectively brush their teeth. Also, some pet foods and chew toys can help reduce cavities in dogs and remove some tartar buildup.

One thing to be aware of is food or drink additives with a goal of covering up bad breath. These products can often also hide the smell of stools which can be an indication of a sick cat.  However, with dogs a simple drop of lemon juice in their water easily wipes away bad breath in certain breeds of dogs, as long as there is no sugar in the juice.

Although curing bad breath and brushing your pet’s teeth may seem like easy tasks to complete, they both take time and energy. However, if you follow the right steps and try a few methods, you should find one that works. Once again, if none of these methods seem to work, make sure you contact your local vet to check for any potential mouth or gum diseases.