Pet dental treats vital to teeth, gum health

Pets need better dental care, according to a study conducted by Brakke Consulting Inc. and Ipsos Agriculture and Animal Health. In the study, which included national surveys of both veterinarians and pet owners, veterinarians indicated that the majority of the pets they see have dental problems. But the vast majority of pet owners consider their pets’ dental status as “normal” and less than 30% recognized any potential problems.

Pet owners’ primary defense against teeth and gum problems in their pets are dental treats and chews. The majority (80% of dog owners and 50% of cat owners) purchased dental chews or treats in the past year. A small minority have purchased other products such as rinses, sealers and pet food with dental claims. Veterinarians said they have been trying to put more emphasis on pet dental care, and half of those said dental revenue has been up in the past two years compared to the previous period.
This might help bridge the gap, as communication may be a significant part of the problem, according to the research. While more than 90% of veterinarians said they "always" check the oral health status of their patients, only 25% said they actually provide a written report to their clients. Less than half of pet owners recall discussing their pets' oral health during the most recent examination.

Indigenous Pet Products introduces Pegetables natural dog chews

Indigenous Pet Products announced the launch of a new formulation of Pegetables Nature's Dog Chews, a premium dog chew for canine dental health, at Global Pet Expo 2014. The original formula of the chew was from the Pegetables brand, which was recently acquired by Indigenous Pet Products, and expands the business's portfolio of canine dental health solutions. 

test
Pegetables Nature's Dog Chews are designed to help clean teeth, leaving dogs with fresh breath, according to the company. The product is scientifically formulated to be safe and highly digestible for dogs of all sizes. The product is made with vegetables including sweet potatoes, peas and carrots, and is free of corn, wheat, grain and gluten.
"Dental health is a common concern for many dog owners," said Scott Reinhardt, sales and marketing manager of Indigenous Pet Products. "Pegetables Nature's Dog Chews provide a treat that is satisfying and healthy for pets. With the acquisition of Pegetables, we are able to provide pet retailers with another product that aligns with our existing offering targeting the health and wellness category in the specialty petfood sector."

Greenies brand, PetSmart partner for National Pet Dental Health Month

As a part of National Pet Dental Health Month (February) and the PetSmart "Healthy Teeth. Healthier Life." initiative, the Greenies brand team and PetSmart will be encouraging pet parents to take care of their pets' teeth in PetSmart stores throughout the U.S.

test
Through this initiative, pet parents will be encouraged to seek professional preventive care through veterinary oral exams and teeth cleanings. They will also be encouraged to administer daily at-home care through teeth brushing or dental chews or treats with the Veterinary Oral Health Council Seal of Acceptance.
"We are taking advantage of the opportunity to educate pet parents on how preventive oral care helps keep their pets healthy," said Dr. Simon Starkey, education veterinarian at PetSmart. "That's why we celebrate National Pet Dental Health Month and team up with brands like the Greenies brand that are dedicated to the specific and extremely important area of oral health."
Part of the brands' collaboration for National Pet Dental Health Month is a Pet Dental Day on Saturday, February 22. PetSmart associates will be giving coupons to their first 50 customers for a free individually wrapped Greenies canine dental chew. PetSmart Grooming Salon associates will also give oral care tips and information from the Greenies brand team with additional coupons for a free Greenies canine dental chew. Quantities of coupons are limited at each store. The week leading up to the Pet Dental Day, Starkey will take to the airwaves, offering interviews to discuss pet oral health.  

Greenies Brand partners to provide grants for dental care for service dogs

The Greenies Brand has pledged a US$20,000 grant to support dental care for service dogs and will, through the remainder of October, encourage pet owners and bloggers online to spread news about pet oral health as a means to realize the full donation amount:

• Each new like on The Greenies Brand's Facebook page will activate a US$1 donation to the Oral Care for Service Dogs program
• Each tweet that uses #greeniesgives on Twitter will activate a US$1 donation to the Oral Care for Service Dogs program
• For every blog post written about the importance of pet oral health and how Greenies dental chews and treats help to keep pets healthy and happy, The Greenies Brand will donate US$100 to the Oral Care for Service Dogs program
Because dental health issues continue to be one of the leading health risks for pets, The Greenies Brand is partnering with the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) to provide grants that help fund the cost of vital dental care procedures for service dogs.
Through the Oral Care for Service Dogs program, board-certified veterinary dentists perform oral health procedures for registered service dogs that have displayed oral and dental diseases that can cause pain or discomfort, compromising the dogs' health and preventing them from performing their essential duties effectively.
"The Greenies Brand is proud to help provide dental care services for dogs that selflessly give so much for the individuals they serve," said Monica Glass, senior corporate affairs manager for The Nutro Company. "We hope the program will reinforce the importance of pet oral health to the entire pet community as we invite them to join the brand in its support."

Hill's Pet Canada launches Pet Dental Health Awareness campaign

Hill’s Pet Nutrition Canada launched the 2013 Pet Dental Health Awareness campaign to increase awareness of the connection between oral and overall health.
“Periodontal disease is the most common problem veterinary health care teams see in dogs and cats,” said Susan Jones, D.V.M., director of veterinary affairs at Hill’s Pet Nutrition Canada. “Pet owners often aren’t aware they should be brushing their pets’ teeth. And when they do know, they quickly realize this is not an easy task. Unfortunately, oral health issues often lead to more systemic health issues and our pets then end up facing more serious problems that could have been prevented."
Veterinary health care teams can visit PetDental.ca and downloading the tools available in the “clinic resources” section to share with clients, including educational videos and promotional tools.
Pet owners can also visit the website to learn more about their pet's oral health. The campaign's slogan, "daily brushing + regular dental checkups + the right nutrition = long, healthy life," encourages pet owners to follow a healthy lifestyle. To reinforce this, the campaign offers a kit for pet owners through local veterinarians, which contains a brochure on proper dental care, a pet toothbrush, a human toothbrush and a guide for brushing pets' teeth.
Along with the Pet Dental Health Awareness campaign, Hill's is launching the Smile Sweepstakes. Pet owners can register online to win a year's supply of Hill's Prescription Diet t/d Oral Health petfood, as well as daily prizes, such as iPads, iPod Touches, Kindle Fires and US$25 gift cards.

Pet owners unaware of pet dental health importance, survey finds

In conjunction with February’s National Pet Dental Health Month, Banfield Pet Hospital released results from its survey of pet owners, which found the majority of pet owners are unaware that a pet’s bad breath could be an indication of a greater health problem.
According to the survey, conducted by The Pert Group, bad breath is an early sign of dental disease, which is the most common disease in pets, affecting 78 percent of dogs and 68 percent of cats over 3 years old. More than half (59 percent) of pet owners surveyed did not know that dental disease is the most common disease in cats and dogs.
Although the survey found that more than half (57 percent) of dog owners admitted their pet has bad breath, just 6 percent cited bad smelling breath as a reason to schedule a dental cleaning. Nearly one-third (27 percent) of dog owners surveyed said they have purposely avoided cuddling closely with their dog because of bad breath.
Despite bad breath, 62 percent of dog owners surveyed said they are not planning to take action to alleviate their pet’s bad breath, and 38 percent of dog owners and 29 percent of cat owners surveyed said they have taken their pet to the veterinarian for a professional teeth cleaning.
“It’s a little concerning that more than half of dog owners believe their pet has bad breath but only a small percent would actually seek medical advice from a veterinarian. What pet owners don’t realize is that bad breath is often an indicator of something serious. Many people believe that bad dog breath is normal—it’s actually not,” said Jeffrey Klausner, DVM, senior vice president and chief medical officer for Banfield Pet Hospital. “Because dental disease is the most common disease affecting dogs and cats over the age of three, it’s critical that pet owners partner with their veterinarian when it comes to their pet’s preventive care, especially their oral health. Simple steps such as twice-yearly visits to the veterinarian and annual professional cleanings are important to keeping pets healthy and happy.”
In an effort to address the issue of pet dental health, Banfield is offering a limited-time coupon for a dental consultation by a veterinarian, which can be downloaded from Banfield’s website during the month of February. Additionally, Banfield’s Facebook fans can enter the “Show Us Your Breath Face Sweepstakes” for a chance to win a one-year Optimum Wellness Plan with dental cleaning from Banfield. Facebook users can enter through March 30 by submitting photos of their facial expressions captured when smelling their pets’ bad breath. In addition to the grand prize, 50 first-prize winners will be selected to receive a Banfield Dental Health Kit. 

GREENIES Brand to host Pet Oral Health Event August 4-5

The GREENIES Brand, makers of pet dental chews and treats, will host its third annual GREENIES Pet Oral Health Event at Petco stores on Saturday, August 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday, August 5, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Through this oral health how-to event, pet parents will learn how to help keep their pets' mouths healthy from GREENIES representatives and will receive coupons for GREENIES Brand dental chews and treats. The event will focus on at-home preventative dental care for pets, such as daily tooth brushing.
"Pet parents must realize that pets are not that different from humans in that they require daily oral care," said veterinary dental expert, Dr. Jan Bellows, incoming president of the American Veterinary Dental College. "The GREENIES Pet Oral Health Event is a great opportunity for pet parents to become more informed on how to care for their pets' mouths at home, and when and why they should seek the advice of their veterinarian."

Greenies dental treats conducts pet oral health study

Pet specialty dental chew and treat maker, the Greenies Brand, recently conducted a new study on pet oral health to uncover common myths about pet owners' beliefs.
Among pet owners' most commonly held beliefs, the study found that almost half of pet owners believe that dogs’ mouths are cleaner than a human’s and that any type of chewing is good for a dog’s teeth. The study also found that about 40 percent think it is normal for their pets to have stinky breath. About one-third of pet owners believe that a dog’s saliva can help cure human wounds. “There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding a pet’s oral health,” said Dr. Jan Bellows, incoming president of the American Veterinary Dental College. “Dogs’ mouths are certainly not cleaner than a human’s. Dogs often carry a variety of germs and bacteria in their mouths that stem from buildup of plaque and tartar that can potentially make humans sick through contact with saliva. Many pet owners also believe that any type of chewing is good for their dogs, but tooth fractures are a common occurrence in pets because teeth can only withstand a certain amount of pressure from hard objects before they break. Pets chewing on inflexible items like bones, ice cubes or nylon toys are often in danger of tooth breakage. And while smelly breath in pets is common, pet owners who believe this is normal may be missing the signs of poor oral health or potential dental disease.” 

Pedigree set to launch Dental Care Month for dogs in June

Pet food brand Pedigree (Mars) will launch its 2011 Dental Care Month campaign in June, to raise awareness of oral health for dogs.
Figures show that a very high proportion of dogs suffer from gum disease and many owners are unaware that dogs need regular dental care, according to Pedigree. The company says that four out of five dogs suffer from gum disease, making it one of the most common health issues in dogs.
Pedigree says that to celebrate the event, some veterinarians will offer free dental screenings for dogs throughout the month of June.

Greenies helps establish Veterinary Oral Health Council for pet dental products

The Nutro Co.'s Greenies oral health brand partnered with the American Veterinary Dental College to create the Veterinary Oral Health Council, an international organization that awards a Seal of Acceptance to pet oral health products meeting its criteria.
VOHC is made up of board certified veterinary dentists, who establish criteria and testing protocols to rank the effectiveness of pet products in helping to control plaque and tartar. VOHC awards a Seal of Acceptance to those products in compliance with its criteria.
Though February is National Pet Dental Health Month, 160 million pets do not receive any oral care, according to a study conducted January 10 by Trone Inc. VOHC aims to make it easier for consumers to provide this for their pets, as the majority of veterinarians say the VOHC seal is an important factor in selecting a dental treat, according to The Nutro Co.  
“The VOHC seal confirms a product is efficacious in reducing buildup of plaque and tartar, the leading cause of oral disease, which can reduce a pet’s healthy lifespan,” said Dr. Jan Bellows, incoming AVDC president.

Greenies hosts pet smile contest

Greenies will hold its second-annual “Show Us Your Pet's Healthy Smile” contest, an initiative dedicated to educating pet owners on the importance of daily oral care for their pets.