Does Your Pet Look Spooktacular?

Teddy’s Pride Halloween Pet Costume Photo Contest 2010

If you like to dress up your pets in their Halloween finest, you’re invited to join the Teddy’s  Pride Halloween Pet Costume Photo Contest 2010! All you need to do is send us a picture of your pet looking super spooky (or super cute!) in their Halloween finery by November 1.

First Prize – One full year’s supply (for one pet) of Teddy’s Pride Oral Care Probiotics for Cats and Dogs, the simple probiotic sprinkle that eliminates bad breath in cats and dogs while whitening and cleaning teeth.

Ten lucky runners up will win one jar of Teddy’s Pride – a two-month supply for one pet!

Steps For Entering

1) Make sure you are a friend of Teddy’s Pride on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000371177855).

2) Enter your photo by posting it to the wall of the Teddy’s Pride page (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/TeddysPride).

3) Start self promoting! Direct your friends and families to your photo. Spread the word on Facebook and Twitter. Have them friend Teddy’s Pride and the more “likes” and comments you can get, the more likely you are to walk away with our grand prize!

This contest is sponsored by Teddy’s Pride, the first 100% natural Oral Care Probiotic for Cats and Dogs. Click here www.teddyspride.com to learn more about this innovative new product.

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!

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.

Easy Ways to Save!

Simple Money Saving Tips For Grooming Your Dog At-Home

Taking your dog’s grooming into your own hands is a great way to cut back on the expense of owning a pet, especially this time of year when the hot, sticky summer weather requires more bathing and grooming.

Bathing, nail trimming and oral care are some of the many ways you can be involved in grooming your dog. Here are some tips to help you curb your expenses at the groomers.

Invest In a Good Shedding Brush

If you don’t brush your dog with a good grooming rake or shedding brush before putting him in the tub, his loose hair and dirt will end up everywhere – on your hands, in the tub and down the drain. The world’s best-selling shedding brush is called the Furminator for a reason – it truly does remove a lot of loose dog hair, especially if your dog sheds a lot.

Nail Trimming Tips

Nail trimmers are another area where you want to spend your money wisely. Buying quality clippers will help you avoid splitting a nail, which not only hurts your dog – it could lead to an infection.

Unless your dog is super calm and cooperative, you might want to try clipping his nails while he sleeps, at least until you get your technique down. Be sure to trim only the very ends of the nails and to not nip the quick, which can cause pain and bleeding.

Getting Into the Bath

When it comes to bathing, each dog generally has his own preferences. Some dogs don’t mind a soapy romp with the hose in the backyard. Other dogs may prefer to be immersed in warm water. If it’s the first time you’re bathing your dog, try to find someone to lend a hand, in case you need it. It’s nice to have one person in charge of soaping and making sure the soap is thoroughly rinsed while the other runs the water.

Cleaning Teeth

It’s recommended that we brush our dogs’ teeth three times each week, if not every day. If your dog has smelly kisses, you probably understand that recommendation. A much simpler way to keep your dog’s teeth clean is to simply sprinkle Teddy’s Pride Oral Care Probiotics on his food once a day. Unlike any other pet oral care product available, the ProBiora3™ probiotics included in Teddy’s Pride™ Oral Care have been formulated to inhibit the growth of the bacteria that cause bad breath.

You don’t need to know all the tips of the grooming trade to keep your dog clean and fresh smelling at home! Just roll up your sleeves, roll out the hose and say goodbye to doggy smell!

My Puppy Chewed My Shoe!

Tips to Curb Your Puppy’s Chewing

It’s nearly inevitable. You get a new puppy and things are going pretty well until she finds your shoe closet and destroys your favorite summer sling-backs, or until you arrive home one afternoon to find that one of your dining room chairs only has three legs now.

Why Do Puppies Chew?

Puppies chew for a variety of reasons. The biggest reason behind the incessant destruction of anything they can get their mouths on is simple discomfort. That’s right – just like human babies chew pacifiers and teething toys, puppies chew to ease teething pain. Take a peek inside your puppy’s mouth to get an idea of what he might be feeling as dozens of razor sharp teeth erupt through his gums. If the chewing is teething related, make sure to offer plenty of chew toys as alternatives to your belongings.

Puppies also chew out of boredom, to get attention, and to explore their environment.

Tips to Curb Puppy’s Chewing

To get your dog’s chewing under control, it’s a good idea to try to figure out what’s causing him to chew. If the answer is boredom or to get attention, here are some things to try:

1.    Don’t let the dog out of your sight. Use baby gates or other safe barricades to keep the dog from wandering from room to room.

2.    Use a dog crate when you’re not home. Dogs will chew anything in the room, including floor moldings and furniture, so gating the dog in a room while you’re not home isn’t enough to keep him from chewing anything he can sink his teeth into.

3.    Teach your puppy the “no bite” command and stick to it. Never allow him to bite humans, especially children. If your dog is too rough with kids, remove him from the situation.

4.    Don’t play tug of war. Any time a dog wins against a human in a game of dominance, he will assume his is the pack leader and he is in charge. This will undermine your ability to train him to respond appropriately to your commands.

Go Raw!

Feeding Pets Raw Foods Could Combat Common Allergies

You only have to read the dedication in Veterinarian Dr. Greg Martinez’s book, “The Dog Dish Diet” to know how very much he loves animals and wants them to be happy and healthy family members. “I’ve spent my whole life has centered around animals and keeping them healthy. This book is for them,” he writes.

Dr. Greg’s path as a veterinarian is revolutionary. Instead of loading pets up with prescription drugs, ointments and skin-care products, Dr. Greg has taken a step back to look at the root cause of common health challenges faced by pets. What he’s found is that many, many pets are suffering from food allergies.

“Kibble is not a natural diet for cats and dogs, who are meant to be eating meat, not dried foods that are wheat- and corn-based,” Dr. Greg explained, noting that kibble foods are generally full of allergens for pets, particularly glutens.  “All pets would benefit if they have a grain-free diet… I’m done with dry food and done with grains. If your pets are among the 60 percent that have an allergy or a food sensitivity, giving up the grains is absolutely the first place to start.”

So what does Dr. Greg recommend we feed pets? Meat and vegetables, either raw or slow cooked in a crockpot. Dr. Greg says that feeding pets a natural raw diet is not only healthy for their digestion, but it also works the pet’s bodies as they were meant to be worked. For instance, feeding dogs raw, frozen chicken thigh is great for their oral health, for both working the jaw and for scraping plaque and tartar off their teeth in a hypoallergenic way, since it’s his belief that many dog treats are filled with allergens.

To learn more about Dr. Greg’s Dog Dish Diet, check out his blog at www.dogdishdiet.com.

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.

APPROVED!

Teddy’s Pride Receives Animal Wellness Magazine Seal of Approval

Products pour into the Animal Wellness Magazine offices every day, the makers of each hoping to receive the prestigious Animal Wellness Seal of Approval. Only a small handful of products are chosen for each bimonthly edition of the magazine.

We are pleased to announce that Teddy’s Pride Oral Care has been chosen by the editorial board of Animal Wellness to be featured as a product that has received the Animal Wellness Seal of Approval. In order to be chosen to receive the seal, the editorial department has to decide that the product is genuinely healthy and something their readers should know about.

Look for Teddy’s Pride in the June/July edition of the magazine, on newsstands now. You can also see it featured on their website early in June.

Teddy’s Pride is the very first oral care probiotic that freshens cats’ and dogs’ breath within days and can whiten pets’ teeth safely and naturally using beneficial bacteria found naturally in very healthy mouths. Teddy’s Pride is simply sprinkled on pets’ food once daily. The tasteless, odorless probiotic is designed for even the most finicky eaters!

The Daunting Task of Brushing Your Cat or Dog’s Teeth

When you take your furry friends to the vet, it’s likely that one of the first things the vet will check is their teeth and gums. Why is that? Quite simply, the health of your pets’ teeth is an excellent indicator of your pets’ overall health.

What Do My Pet’s Teeth and Gums Have to Do With His Health?

Studies have revealed that a decline in your pet’s oral health can lead to systemic health problems, like heart disease, kidney failure and diabetes. See, as the gums deteriorate, they become more mesh-like and are far less able to block the entry of bacteria.

Think of healthy gums as a strong, tall, well-built privacy fence with absolutely no holes and no way for intruders to even look in, none-the-less get in. Now think of unhealthy gums as that cheesy bright orange construction fencing. Your pet still has gums, but at a microscopic level, there are gaps wide enough to basically create a nice opening for bacteria to enter the bloodstream and begin attacking vital organs.

The American Veterinary Association estimates that most pets have periodontal disease by the age of three!

OK, I Get It. Brush My Pet’s Teeth

Well, yes and no. Brushing teeth is a good idea, but how many of you have wrestled with a cat just to get something forbidden out of her mouth? Or waged war with a dog who needs daily medications? Brushing teeth is like that only more difficult. Even the most laid-back and even tempered pets generally do not want your hands in their mouths.

I Give Up! Brushing My Pet’s Teeth Is Just Too Difficult. What’s Plan B?

Plan B generally is taking your pet to the vet and having him put under anesthetic to have a professional cleaning. The cleanings are great, but not without risk. Anesthesia is actually much riskier for pets than it is for humans. These cleanings are often very pricy as well.

Is There Anything Else I Can Do to Help?

Absolutely. By sprinkling a small scoop of odorless, tasteless probiotics  on your pet’s food daily, you can freshen their breath and make their teeth three to four shades lighter in just one month. You’ll also notice that the probiotics (beneficial bacteria that thrives in the mouth) make your pet’s gums look pinker and healthier.