Understanding Oral Care Probiotics

What ARE Probiotics

Probiotics are a hot topic in the media today. Want to be more “regular”? Try this yogurt with probiotics. Want to boost your immune health? Try a supplement or another yogurt with probiotics known to support the immune system. In fact, yogurt has long been the delivery system for the beneficial bacteria known as probiotics. So, if you’re the average American who spends time on the Internet or watching TV, it’s likely you’ve heard about probiotics

What Exactly ARE Probiotics?

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria.

There are billions of bacteria in the human body. Actually, it’s thought that there are more bacteria in the human body than the cells that comprise the human body. Most of these beneficial bacteria are basically inert, causing no harm and offering no benefit.

Some of the bacteria in our bodies is harmful. These are what cause your head-cold, your stomach illness and many lesser known health issues.

When  harmful bacteria launch wage war, the beneficial bacteria in the body are right there waiting to fight back. If the beneficial bacteria in your body aren’t prepared to fight off the bad bacteria, you may end up with an infection and a prescription for antibiotics.

The use of probiotics -  be they food additives, supplements or any of the array of products which now include beneficial bacteria – help maintain a healthy balance between beneficial and harmful bacteria in the body.

Probiotics Benefit Mouth, Too

Research has shown that not only are probiotics beneficial for digestive health, they can also affect your oral health. By blending three beneficial bacteria commonly found in very health mouths, researchers at Oragenics, Inc. have created oral care probiotics for the entire family, focusing on maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in the mouth. EvoraPro is a professional-strength oral-care probiotic meant for use after a professional dental cleaning or scaling. EvoraPlus is an oral care mint, which, when used twice daily, can help support gum and tooth health, freshen breath and naturally and gently whiten teeth. EvoraPlus is blended specifically to address the oral care needs of the those over the age of 10. EvoraKids oral care probiotics are blended to address the oral care needs of children ages 3-10. And even your pets can have fresher breath and whiter, cleaner teeth with Teddy’s Pride oral care probiotics for cats and dogs.

Keep Your Pets Safe From Valentine’s Poisonous Pitfalls

Valentine’s Day – the day when sweethearts nationwide express their love for one another with chocolate, flowers and thougthful personal gifts. But Valentines beware – your gifts for one another can cause serious harm to your fuzzy, four-legged loves.

If you are a pet parent, the most important thing you can do today is to keep your pets safe from your Valentine’s Day celebration with your loved ones. Chocolate, alcohol, flowers and even candles can spell trouble to your cats and dogs.

Here are some tips on how to keep your favorite furry Valentines safe and happy this Valentine’s Day.

•    Keep the chocolate far out of reach. Whether you fancy dark or milk chocolate is no issue – chocolate is not safe for dogs, and, given the opportunity, they will eat it because they love sweets. Chocolate is one sweet you don’t want your dog to eat, and if he or she does, be sure to get them to the vet right away. The chemicals in chocolates with a high cacao content can easily harm dogs, and the fat content in rich milk chocolates can cause illness.

•    Flowers: Many flowers – especially lilies – are toxic to pets. If you get flowers for Valentine’s Day, the safest thing to do is display them far out of the reach of your pets. Don’t waste your honey’s money by dumping them in the trash, but do be sure these toxic bundles are not in a place where your pets can chew on them. This can be especially challenging if you have a cat who can scale great heights. Many, many plants are toxic to pets. For a complete list, check out the ASPCA’s complete list of plants that are toxic to pets.

•    Alcohol: Be sure to keep alcoholic beverages out of sipping reach of your cats and dogs. Even the smallest amounts of alcohol can lead to BIG problems for cats and dogs.

•    Speaking of small things that can cause big problems, now it’s time to consider candles. Whether they burn themselves in the flames or knock a candle over and start a fire, pets and candles simply do not mix. Candles are sweet, but never leave them unattended. Accidents can happen quickly.

Make Valentine’s Day sweetest for ALL of your loved ones by choosing gifts and treats that won’t cause anyone any harm.

Doggy Dental Downers

What’s Happening In Fido’s Mouth?

Whether your pooch has stinky smooches or crooked teeth, it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on what goes on inside his mouth. Just ask your veterinarian – your dog’s mouth is the gateway to his good health.

Here are some common oral conditions dogs may encounter:

Calculus, or tartar. Tartar looks a little different in dogs than it does in humans. In dogs, calculus is generally brown (instead of yellow, as it is in humans). This condition, which overlaps both the tooth and the gum line, is one of the most common dental problems that dogs may encounter. If left untreated, calculus can lead to abscesses and tooth loss. Moreover, an extreme case of calculus can lead to internal organ damage because bacteria can travel from the teeth into the blood stream.

Brushing your dog’s teeth, or gently rubbing his teeth with gauze, will help prevent the buildup and subsequent hardening of plaque and forming of calculus.

Malocclusions. This dental problem that is commonly faced by puppies when an adult tooth erupts before the baby tooth has fallen out. This can cause inflammation and tooth breakdown, and, if left untreated, sometimes causes an infection. Malocclusions can also cause adult teeth to erupt in the wrong position. Malocclusions cannot be prevented, but keeping an eye out for them can keep them from causing any harm. The critical window to monitor your puppy’s mouth is between 14 and 24 weeks old. If you suspect an adult tooth is growing in below or behind a baby tooth, call your dog’s veterinarian.

Gingivitis. Just like in humans, harmful bacteria in the mouth can build up on teeth, causing inflammation. This is called gingivitis. This inflammation can, in turn, lead to receding gums, loose teeth and, eventually, tooth loss. This is another reason to make sure your dog’s teeth are free from plaque.

Periodontal disease. Harmful bacteria strikes again! Periodontal disease is a serious, harmful condition caused by an imbalance of harmful bacteria in your dog’s mouth. One of the primary symptoms of periodontal disease in dogs is bleeding gum, so look for red or dark brown spots on your dogs chew toys. Severe periodontal disease in dogs has been linked to kidney failure, heart conditions and other life-threatening illnesses. If you suspect your dog has periodontal disease, be sure to contact your vet right away.

You can keep Fido’s breath sweet as a puppy’s and his teeth clean and white by adding a scoop of oral care probiotics to his food once daily. These beneficial bacteria crowd out the bacteria known to cause bad breath.

Bad Breath Might Be a Bad Sign

Is Bacteria Attacking Your Pets’ Organs?

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three – Pet lovers are sure to find this statistic very startling, since most of us still thik of our pets as puppies and kittens at age three!

Does Your Pet Have Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is caused by the accumulation of dental plaque and inflammation of the tissues in the mouth. When the gums become inflamed, enzymes start to break down the connective tissues surrounding the teeth. This breakdown of tissues allows harmful bacteria that naturally reside in your pets’ mouths to pass through the tissue and into the bloodstream, where it can affect the liver, kidneys and heart.

The hallmark symptom of periodontal disease in pets is bad breath  -  the kind of bad breath that makes y0u not want to share a smooch, no matter how much you love your dog or cat.

If you mention that breath to your vet, he’s likely to recommend that you brush your pets’ teeth – a task that can be messy and stressful for both you and your pet.

I Love My Pets, But I Hate Their Breath!

Don’t worry! There’s a very simple way to eliminate stinky breath. By adding oral probiotics to your pets’ food once daily, you can improve the population of good bacteria in your pets’ mouths. These beneficial bacteria – or probiotics – eat the same foods and populate the same areas of the mouth as harmful bacteria. When you give the beneficial bacteria the upper hand, they return the favor by pushing out the harmful bacteria.

And with that, viola!

Bye-bye bad breath!

Stinky Kitty Kisses

What Your Cat’s Bad Breath Could Be Telling You

Does your kitty like to kiss your face? Your chin?

The old wives tale says that when a cat rubs against you with her face – be it your leg, your face, your hand… you get the picture! – she is being affectionate. That’s super cute and sweet, but if she’s rubbing against your face and she has fishy kitty breath? Yuck.

Why do Cats Develop Bad Breath?

Sometimes our cats develop bad breath for the very same reason we might develop bad breath if we never cared for our teeth. A simple build-up of plaque and tartar on your kitty-friend’s teeth can act as a fantastic breeding ground for the bacteria that produce the volatile sulfur compounds responsible for bad breath.

Simply learning to brush your cat’s teeth two to three times each week could eliminate her bad breath. If you’re not that patient, or if you think your cat might not be game for a good tooth brushing, you may consider sprinkling oral care probiotics on her food once a day. These friendly bacteria help reestablish the bacterial balance in your cat’s mouth, crowding out the bacteria responsible for foul-smelling breath.

If your cat’s bad breath cannot be resolved by basic oral care, it could be a sign that something is wrong. If your cat has consistently bad breath, take her to the vet.

If you notice that your cat’s breath smells, look for signs of dental or gum disorders:

• Does your cat seem to be in pain?
• Has her appetite decrease, or does she seem to struggle eating?
• Is you cat unable to keep food in her mouth once she gets it there?
• Does she paw at her mouth?
• Has she begun drooling?

All of the above are symptoms of a dental disorder, which could include an abcessed or damaged tooth, gum disease or even the presence of a foreign object lodged between teeth.

Other Causes of Bad Breath in Kitties

There are also several other underlying conditions that cause feline bad breath that can only be successfully diagnosed by your veterinarian, including kidney disease, feline leukemia virus and feline stomatitis.

Penny Pinching

Money Saving Tips for Frugal Pet Owners

As the national rate of unemployment has risen to numbers we haven’t experienced in America for decades, many are considering ways to trim their household budgets and generally spend less.

Luckily there are many simple ways you can trim the expenses of pet ownership.

Tips for Cutting the Expenses of Owning a Pet

Keep track of your pet’s medical needs. If you pet has special medical needs, your veterinarian may have suggestions about how to keep bills under control. If not, seek advice online or from a local shelter. Sometimes shelters sponsor clinic days with local veterinarians who are willing to impart services at lower costs.

Stock up and save. Buying in bulk is a great way to spend less on everything from kitty litter to dog treats. It not only saves you money per serving (or use), it also saves time and gas money.

Take care of oral care. One of the biggest health challenges for pets may be one of the least discussed, and that is, if you don’t take care of your pet’s mouth, it could lead to major health problems down the road. Poor oral care in pets is associated with kidney failure and other serious health concerns. Make sure your pet’s teeth are clean and healthy.

Keep on track with vaccinations and preventative medications. Giving  your pet the medications he needs to keep harmful illnesses and predators (such as ticks and fleas) is much cheaper in the long run than treating an illness or trying to rid a pet – and your house! – of an infestation. This is especially important as veterinarians are reporting a high rate of Lyme disease in pets in areas where Lyme is also epidemic in humans. Treating conditions like Lyme can be costly and time consuming.

Make sure your pet gets exercise. Pets that go for several long walks each week are less likely to have problems with weight and with their joints. Walking is as good for your pet’s health (especially your dog!). Again, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Taking simple steps to curb excess spending on pets is a great way to trim your budget and ensure that your pet has the best possible health.

Kidney Health

Taking Care of Older Cats

Kidney disease, or chronic renal failure, is a very common condition in older cats, often leaving owners with an ailing cat in need of very special care and a very special diet.

Though the causes of chronic renal failure are vague and difficult to understand, some of the known factors include dehydration, chronic dental disease, intestinal disorders, an acidic diet and even trauma.

Symptoms of Kidney Disease in Cats

Cats with kidney disease may show some or all of the following symptoms:

•    Increased drinking and urination
•    Urination outside the litter box
•    Decreased or even complete lack of urination
•    Blood in the urine
•    Vomiting
•    Loss of appetite, probably due to nausea
•    Weight loss
•    Pain in the lower back area
•    Sitting hunched or walking stiffly
•    Ulcers in the mouth and/or drooling
•    High blood pressure, possibly with associated retinal damage
•    Anemia

What the Veterinarian May Say About a Cat with Chronic Renal Failure

After cats with renal failure have been stabilized, they may respond to many different courses of treatment, including steroids, changes in diet and even homeopathy/herbal remedies.

A thorough dental cleaning is often advised for cats once their chronic renal failure has been stabilized. This cleaning can help stop bacteria from entering the blood stream through the gums, thus protecting the kidneys as they filter the blood.

A change in diet is also highly recommended, as lowering the ash and acidity in a cat’s diet is a good way to protect the kidneys.

Stinky Kisses!

A Simple Way to Kiss Dog Breath Goodbye

There’s really nothing quite like smelly pet breath. You want to snuggle with your dog on the couch while you watch a compelling season finale, but his breath is so bad he’s either banished to the foot of the couch or to the floor.

Same deal with your cat – when her breath is bad, there is no way you’re willing to share your pillow with her. She can find another cozy place to settle in for the night.

Bad breath is the number one complaint of pet parents everywhere. It seems there is so little we can do to freshen their breath – I mean, take a deep whiff of their food! It’s no wonder their breath is a little more than we can bear!

And then there’s the fact of tooth brushing. We’re supposed to do it; in fact, we’re supposed to brush our cats’ and dogs’ teeth at least once daily, but few pet parents do. Brushing a dog or cat’s teeth is more can be a real hassle.

So think about what your breath would smell like – and what  your teeth and gums would look like – if you hadn’t brushed your teeth for, say, 3 years. What if your pet is even older – 10, 12, even 18 years. Think of all that plaque and tartar that has built up in their mouths! It’s no wonder their breath is killer.

What if there was one simple step you could take just once daily that would make your pets’ breath fresh like a puppy or kitten in just a few weeks? What if all you needed to do was balance the bacteria in your pets’ mouths and it would put an end to the foul breath?

It really is that simple with oral care probiotics. By simply sprinkling Teddy’s Pride Oral Care on your dog or cat’s food once daily, the beneficial bacteria in your pets’ mouths crowd out the bacteria that cause the volatile sulfur compounds that make dog and cat breath so smelly.

How the Bacteria in Your Pets’ Mouths Affects Their Organ Health

Celebrating National Pet Dental Health Month

While the truth the statement “your dog’s mouth has less bacteria in it” is dubious, what is true is that your pets’ mouths ARE full of bacteria, and the balance of that bacteria is crucial to their health.

Smell That?

If your pets routinely have bad breath, it may be because the bad bacteria in their mouths. When the harmful bacteria in your pets’ mouths take over, they cause an infection in the gums, causing smelly breath.

Both good and bad bacteria naturally live in the plaque on your pets’ teeth. When the plaque hardens, it turns into tartar. Plaque and tartar are harmful to the teeth and gums, causing the gums to become inflamed.

From the site of inflammation, the bacteria can then enter the bloodstream and attack the heart, kidneys, liver and lungs.

Sound dramatic?

That’s why your veterinarian probably recommends that you routinely brush your pets teeth, and, if there are signs of gum disease, they may have recommended a professional cleaning.

Important Enough to Have Its Own Month

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three.

That’s why the organization has deemed February National Pet Dental Health Month for several years in a row – to raise awareness of the importance in keeping pets’ teeth clean and healthy.

Take a few moments this month to look in your pets’ mouths and see if their gums and teeth look healthy and clean. Those few moments could save your pets’ lives!

For more helpful information of your pet’s oral health care, Follow Teddy’s Pride on Twitter and Join Us on Facebook for fun activities and promotional events.

Teddy’s Pride

Dog Breath! Yuck!

Oral Health an Indicator of Kidney Disease in Pets

Stinky breath is a common complaint of many loving pet owners. We want to snuggle on the couch with Max or Tigger, but the pet bad breath! Ugh!

Veterinarians are very familiar with the bad breath complaint. It’s common for pets to have bad breath – of course they do! If we brushed our own teeth as often as we (generally) brush our pet’s teeth? Suffice it to say – we’d have bad breath too!

If your pet is young and has bad breath, your Vet will likely recommend you brush Fluffy or Fido’s teeth. His concern is not necessarily bad breath though – It’s usually that the health of your pet’s teeth that are his primary concern. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, most pets have gum disease by the time they are only three years old!

Brushing your pets’ teeth can be a hassle for you and a source of major anxiety for them – neither cats nor dogs generally like to have their teeth brushed.

Veterinarians understand that the link between gum disease and other serious diseases in pets – especially kidney disease – is very strong. By getting your dog or cat’s oral health under control at a young age, you can potentially save them, and yourselves, the hardship of dealing with a serious illness later on in life.

If your pets are older and their teeth need a serious cleaning, the vet may recommend that you bring them in for an in-office cleaning. For cats, this usually means the use of potentially dangerous anesthetics. Dogs with high anxiety may also need to be sedated for oral cleanings.

One simple way to give your pet fresher breath is to add pet oral probiotics (beneficial bacteria) to his kibble daily. These beneficial bacteria can crowd out the bad-breath-causing bacteria, keeping your pet’s breath fresh and their teeth white and clean.