The Bad Breath Blog

According to the 2009/2010 National Pet Owners Survey, 62% of all U.S. households own a pet. That is about 71.4 million homes. The majority of these pets are dogs, closely followed by cats.

But these four-legged creatures are often much more than just a pet, they are truly members of the household and family. Many of us care for these pets as if they are our own children.  We take them to the vet and groomers regularly, and spend hundreds of dollars a year on pet care.

While we give them treats (such as raw-hides) to chew on, our pets may still have dental problems and bad breath. Did you know that periodontal disease is the #1 disease in dogs and cats? Bad breath is one major sign that your pet may be suffering from this. So rather than spend large amounts of money on non-anesthetic cleanings or risk the more evasive anesthetic cleanings on your pet, try treating it naturally and effectively with Dr. Katz for Dogs + Cats Oral Solution. (more…)

Even though February is National Pet Dental Health Month, proper oral hygiene for pets should be practiced year-round. Bad breath in your pet can be a symptom of an oral health dilemma. Taking your dog or cat to the veterinarian is one of the most important things that you can do to prevent and treat periodontal (gum) disease in your pet. According to sources, an estimated 68% of cats and 78% of dogs that are 3 years of age and older have a form of oral disease.

In recognition of National Pet Dental Health Month, more information is being released for pet owners and vets to help improve or maintain a good level of oral hygiene for their animals. It reminds us of the old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” All breeds of these animals are susceptible to developing periodontal disease. Studies show that the top breeds of dogs that are predisposed to getting gum disease are the Toy Poodle, Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Pomeranian, Shetland Sheepdog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Papillion, Standard Poodle, Dachshund and Havanese. The disease is most prominent in the following types of cats: the Himalayan, Siamese, and Persian.

Each year that your pet is alive, the risks of developing the disease actually increase 20%. Vets everywhere should insist that pet owners should treat the disease if it is diagnosed, so that it does not become serious.  Let’s not forget that TheraBreath has an excellent oral health formula specifically made for dogs and cats. Stop bad breath in dogs and cats today!

While most people just accept the fact that their dog’s breath smells like…well, dog breath…what they don’t realize is that odor might signify serious health risks with the potential to damage not only your pooches’ teeth and gums but also its internal organs.  To address the significance of oral health care for pets, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and several other veterinary groups have joined to declare February as National Pet Dental Health Month.

Bacteriologist and fresh breath guru, Dr. Harold Katz, is not only an expert on fresh breath for humans, he is also THE expert on fresh breath for man’s best friend. Dr. Katz is available to come in-studio with his electronic breath testing device, the Halimeter, and measure some pups’ breath on air, giving pet parents sensible tips on how to prevent doggie gum disease and get rid of bad breath in dogs for good!

Katz has been a featured guest on tons of local and national TV shows across the country.  Click here to view his most recent interview on Fox & Friends, and to access his full demo reel: http://www.viddler.com/explore/drkatz/videos/123/.

Thanks for your consideration – let me know what you think!

Does your dog or cat have persistent bad breath? It could mean that your best friend may have a serious problem. Periodontal disease (also known as periodontitis, gingivitis or gum disease) is the #1 disease in dogs and cats and bad breath is one sign that your pet may be suffering. Now, there is a way to attack it naturally and effectively.

Dr. Katz for Pets products bring to you and your pet 21st Century science, which fights odors generated by sulfur-producing anaerobic bacteria. The basis of these revolutionary home treatments has been proven thousands of times through the use of oxygenating compounds.

Free Dr. Katz for Pets Trial and Printable Guide

Oral Health for Dogs

Halitosis coming from your cat’s mouth can be unpleasant for multiple reasons. Not only is the smell unwelcoming, but it can also signify various diseases. Cat owners can buy many different products, like cat toothbrushes, toothpastes, treats and drops that help with cat breath, tartar, and other cat dental issues.

There are many underlying diseases that could be causing the smelly odor from your cat’s mouth:

• Gingivitis, inflammation of the gums
• Abscessed tooth/teeth
• Bone/hairball stuck in mouth
• Oral ulceration
• Foreign bodies in mouth, (i.e. grass awns, plant material)
• Tumors in mouth (oral neoplasia)
• Lung diseases (i.e. cancer)
• Kidney disease
• Periodontal disease, inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the teeth

Warning signs to Look Out For:

• Oral pain/discharge (especially if there is blood)
• Drooling
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Difficulty eating
• Depression

Treating Your Cat:

If you feel your cat has any of these problems, the best bet is to take it to a vet for a professional opinion. Veterinary care may involve various diagnostic tests to reveal the cause of the bad breath, which include:

• Thorough medical history and physical examination
• Complete oral exam (may require brief anesthetic)
• Full-mouth X-rays with dental machine
• Periodontal probing to identify possible periodontal diseases

Home Treatment:

Home treatments are dependent on what specific problem the cat has. Here are some prevention mechanisms you can take to help your cat’s foul-smelling breath:

• Daily cat teeth brushing (look for special brushes/pastes available from a vet)
• Spraying .12% chlorhexidine (prescribed from a vet) into your cat’s mouth once daily for one to two weeks.
• Follow special dietary considerations. Get input from your vet on what works the best for your cat.
• Diagnosis by a vet if the halitosis persists.

Source: Dr. Debra Primovic