Chew on this – 80% of dogs develop some form of gum disease before their second birthday! The fact is, when it comes to our dogs’ dental health, we have to be proactive – and the sooner we start, the better.
Fido’s dental hygiene is about more than keeping doggie breath at bay – poor dental care impacts your pet’s overall health and may even shorten his life. A gum infection gives bacteria a chance to get into the bloodstream and travel to other parts of the body. When those bacteria settle in the liver, kidney, and heart this can result in serious problems.

Food trapped between teeth provides the perfect home for bacteria, which then create a glue-like coating, called plaque, on the surface of the teeth (this is why we brush our teeth twice a day!) For our pets, this build up can lead to gum recession, wobbly teeth and a bad case of ‘his bite is worse than his bark.’ Left untreated, your pet could develop calculus, gingivitis or even periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is actually one of the most common conditions we see at Petplan. Treatment costs usually come in around $500, but for one pooch with particularly troublesome teeth it cost over $5,500 for treatment.

Our littlest canine friends, the toy breeds, are especially susceptible to plaque and tartar – making it even more important to be proactive about keeping their teeth in tip-top condition.

Top Tips for Busy Pet Parents

Tooth brushing is the gold standard, but in our time-poor world, here are some realistic ways to improve your furry friend’s dental hygiene:
Tooth Brushing: Breaking out the tooth brush each day is ideal, but even a weekly brushing will greatly improve your dog’s oral health (and breath!)
Doggy Mouth Wash: Yes, it does exist! Look for a pet product containing chlorhexidine and zinc gluconate – a quick squirt once a day and you’re good to go.
Dental Food, Treats and Toys: These work by mechanically rubbing away debris as your pet chews. You’ll want to look for food or treats approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).
Dental Gels: These can seal the teeth against bacteria for seven days.
Visit the VET: An annual examination will allow your veterinarian to determine whether a dental cleaning is indicated.

With our busy schedules, we sometimes forget that our dogs need their teeth cared for, too. The truth is that they feel toothaches and discomfort just like us, they just can’t reach for the mouthwash themselves. But by lending a helping paw at home (and visiting the vet!), you can help keep his teeth out of trouble. And if during a routine cleaning the veterinarian finds a problem like gum disease or a broken tooth, Petplan will cover the cost of that treatment – now there’s something to smile about!

Do you have pet insurance?
I wish I bought insurance when Sugar was a young pup. Why? As Sugar aged her vet care bills have gone up. Sugar also had several emergency vet care. The funds I allotted for Sugar’s vet care have already depleted. Below is an article written by Natasha Ashton the co-founder and co-CEO of Petplan pet insurance, headquartered in the Philadelphia suburbs.

It’s no secret that for pet parents, our dogs (and cats!) are full-fledged members of the family. This is especially true during the holidays.

Do any of these statements ring a (jingle)bell?
Your pet’s name gets signed on your holiday greeting card
Your pet lines up to have his picture taken with Santa Paws
Your pet’s pile of presents stands higher than your own

I’m guessing most of you barked “yes” to at least one of those! And you’re not alone, especially when it comes to gifts: according to a Petplan survey, 95% of pet parents will give their pets presents this holiday season.

But before piling on the presents, paws to consider a gift that will last longer (and prove healthier!) than goodies galore: the gift of good health. That means a proper diet, regular exercise and annual visits to the veterinarian. For more and more families, mine included, it also means protecting furry friends with pet health insurance.

We never think our pet could get sick or hurt (especially when they’re bouncing around with boundless energy!) but the truth is there’s a 33% chance your pet will make an unexpected trip to the vet in 2015. With insurance you’ll have the peace of mind that the expense will be covered so you can focus on what really matters … helping your pet get better!

One Christmas, our dog Wellington ate an entire box of Belgian chocolates (after carefully unwrapping all 45 pieces!). A trip to the emergency clinic quickly ensued where Welly got the treatment he needed and was able to come home to re-join the celebration. With insurance we had help paying for Welly’s holiday mishap!

When you’re shopping around for a policy, look for a comprehensive plan that covers accidents and illnesses – including hereditary and chronic conditions. You shouldn’t have to purchase additional coverage for things like hip dysplasia or congenital heart disease. A great policy will even include coverage for alternative and behavioral therapies. You also want to be sure that you’ll be reimbursed based on the actual vet bill and not a benefit schedule (meaning the provider will set caps for each incident or illness).

This gift may be harder to wrap but will keep your year merry and bright long after your pet’s other presents have been gobbled up and loved to bits.

If you’d like to get a free quote for protecting your pet, you can visit www.GoPetplan.com.