Dental Health Is Vital To Your Pet’s Total Well-Being (NAPSA)—Pet lovers who are dedicated to the care andlifelong well-being of their companion animals should include dental hygiene in their animals’ regular health and wellness routine. That’s the advice of Dr. Jennifer Jablow, a passionate animal rescuer, dedicated volunteer at North Shore Animal League America, and a pet owner. Known as “Den- tist to the Stars,” Dr. Jablowis pet dental advisor to the Animal League, the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization. She offers these guidelines to help owners maintain their animals’ optimum oral health. Dental hygiene is as important to your pets overall health as nutrition and exercise. Poor dental hygiene can cause dental disease. Dental disease creates bacteria in the mouth and can cause oral pain, halitosis, tooth loss and periodontal disease, and even affect the heart and kidneys, intestinal tract and joints. Also, a pet in dental pain is not a happy pet and the pain can affect his/her ability to eat. It’s important to brush your pet’s teeth as early as possible. When their adult teeth are in, at about 6-9 months old, it is the best time to start a toothbrushing regimen. Avoid dental products con- taining xylitol, as it is highly toxic to dogs and questionable for cats. mid ; Dr. Jennifer Jablow tends to the dental needs of a puppy at North Shore Animal League America. NEVER use human toothpaste to clean pets’ teeth and gums. * Your pet should have annual dental checkups by his/her veterinarian. Good dental hygiene can add years to yourpet’s life. North Shore Animal League America each year rescues, nurtures and adopts over 18,000 homeless dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. Your support can help the Animal League build a full-service pet dental suite that will offer extended services for helpless dogs and cats in advanced stages of dental disease, including many of the shelter’s rescues. To learn more about the work of the Animal League, and the health and well- being of companion animals, visit www.AnimalLeague.org.
