Your Pet's Bad Breath is Telling you Something

Everyday when you get home from work, your dog runs up to you at the door to greet you with kisses. You're knocked over not by the force of his love for you and excitement to see you, but by the smell of his breath. Or maybe you like to spend your evenings snuggling on the couch with your cat on your lap and a great read in your hands, but you find yourself pushing your kitty away because the smell of her breath makes you a little queasy.

Do you brush your pet's teeth? Do you take him to the vet for regular cleanings? Most pet owners have no idea about the critical impact oral hygiene has on their best friend's life.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, by age three, more than 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show some signs of gum disease. Once a pet's teeth display the warning signs bad breath, a yellow brown crust of tartar around the gumline, pain or bleeding when the pet eats or when you touch its gums gum disease may already be present.

The pet's saliva fills the mouth with a thin, glue-like substance. This glue coats the teeth causing food particles to stick to them and form bacteria. This bacteria hardens and turns into plaque and tartar on the teeth. These toxins can decay the gum tissue, resulting in a highly toxic volatile sulfur compound. This is what gives your pets bad breath! If left untreated, this toxic substance creates tiny holes in the gum tissue and enters the blood.

Once in the blood stream, the plaque and toxins travel directly to the heart depositing some there and then carrying the rest to the filtering organs the liver and kidneys allowing the toxins to build up in these vital organs, significantly impairing their functioning. In fact, by the time symptoms of kidney dysfunction appear, the kidneys may only be functioning at 40 percent, and by then, the damage may be irreversible.

Given this information, it seems like brushing your cat or dog's teeth is the only answer. Brushing the teeth of your cat or dog daily is likely not very feasible, since very few animals are willing to cooperate. Professional cleanings are very helpful but can cost hundreds and the risk of anesthesia is an additional concern.