GREENIES^® Writers' Pad

The last thing responsible pet parents want to worry about during the summer is their pet’s health. That’s why they take precautions to make sure their pet is up-to-date on parasite prevention medication and vaccinations, and has current ID tags and all the pet supplies for the prime vacation season. However, pet parents frequently take a holiday from following an oral care plan, and that’s also important for their pet’s health.

Did you know that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have periodontal disease by age three?  That’s a large percentage considering that good pet oral health is easy! By following an oral care plan, pet owners not only help to keep bad doggy breath away but also promote a bright smile and overall good health. An effective oral care plan consists of three parts: daily care, wellness exams and treatment as necessary, including tooth cleaning.

Daily at Home Care: To begin, examine your pet’s mouth and teeth regularly. Things to look for include plaque, tartar and any signs of periodontal disease. Indicators that point to problems are reddening of the gums, bad breath, and yellow-brown crust (tartar) along the gum line. Of course, visual exams are just the beginning. Doing these things daily can help keep your pet’s oral health from deteriorating:

1)      Brush their teeth

2)      Give a dental treat with the VOHC Seal of Acceptance

3)      Talk to your veterinarian about foods with a dental benefit

4)      Use dental wipes or gels

Your pet may spend time with a friend or family member while you’re away on summer travels. Review your oral care plan with them so that they can continue the regimen in your absence.

Wellness Exams: Pets should see their veterinarian twice a year for a wellness exam that includes an oral exam. Veterinarians can check for irregularities that may go unnoticed during at-home cleanings such as enlarged lymph nodes, swelling in your pet’s face or discoloration of the teeth, gums and tongue. And the wellness exam is the perfect opportunity to discuss with your veterinarian the oral care plan that’s right for your pet.

Dental Cleanings: Before beginning an at-home oral care plan your veterinarian may want to do a dental cleaning for a fresh start. During a dental cleaning the veterinarian will flush your pet’s teeth with a solution to kill the bacteria in the mouth and then use special ultrasonic scalers to clean the teeth above and below the gum line. After inspecting each tooth and gums for irregularities or disease, your vet may apply plaque-reducing agents to the teeth. The veterinarian may also recommend a vaccine to protect against some strains of the bacteria associated with periodontal disease.

The summer can be a busy time for everyone—especially pet parents—but making daily oral care a priority in your pet care routine is just as important daily exercise! Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to begin outlining the plan that works best for you and your pet.

In the first installment of our series for “Tips for Adopting a Cat,” we looked at adoption venues and choosing the right cat. In today’s post, we’ll cover how to prepare your home environment and the necessary supplies to have before bring your new cat home.

Simplifying the adjustment period

Cats are typically very adaptable, but there are still steps to take to ensure your cat has an easy adjustment and does not develop bad behaviors. First, give your new friend ample time to adjust to their new surroundings. In fact, some experts suggest limiting their “welcome area” to a single room for the first few weeks. This is especially important if you have other pets— the smells of other pets can be a lot of for a new pet to process. Spend time with your new cat to help socialize them.

Have the right supplies

In all the excitement of adopting a new pet, it’s easy to forget the important supplies needed to care for them. Consider picking up all supplies before you bring home your new pet. Here’s a list:

Litter and a litter box:

There are many options for litter. Ask your veterinarian or the adoption venue for a recommendation. Litter boxes are available at pet stores and many grocery and drug stores. Food:

Ask the adoption venue what food they have been feeding. After your new cat is settled, talk to your veterinarian about the diet they recommend. Keep in mind that switching foods on a pet can be tough on their digestive system, so be sure to make the transition between diets a slow process. Your veterinarian can explain the best way to do this.

Toys:

Toys are especially important items to have when adopting a kitten. Toys help pets expend energy, serve as an outlet for natural behavior and prevent destructive behavior. Cats can be particular about what type of toy they most enjoy, so consider a small variety to test for their favorite kind.

Scratch post/climbing apparatus:

Investing in a scratching post or climbing tool is a wise decision for protecting furniture and stimulating the cat. Cats like being up high so look for toys that provide room to climb and or hide.

Brush:

A grooming brush is a smart tool to have if you prefer your clothes and furniture fur-free (or at least fur-minimized). Cats are proficient self-groomers, but it’s always a good idea to brush them on a regular basis. Brushing helps maintain their coat in good condition and helps to prevent ingestion of too much fur that can lead to throwing up.

Toothbrush:

New pet owners may not know that pets need daily oral care. Tooth brushing is best, just as it is for humans. Another alternative is treats with dental efficacy such as FELINE GREENIES^® Dental Treats. On your first visit, ask your veterinarian to perform a dental check-up. Remember, it is possible that this is the first time your new pet has received oral care, and making it a habit from the beginning is an important part of being a good pet parent.

In addition to having the right supplies, make sure your home is prepared for a pet. If there are pieces of furniture or rooms that you want protected, teach your new cat boundaries by closing off rooms that are “forbidden,” removing them from off-limits furniture and moving fragile items out of their reach. If you decide to allow the cat on the furniture, consider taking precautions to protect the upholstery; machine-washable slipcovers work well. Leather furniture is easier to clean, but it can be punctured if you don’t keep your cat’s nails trimmed.

Visit the veterinarian

Maintaining a relationship with your veterinarian is vital to your pet’s health. Regular veterinary visits are an essential part of preventive care. You’ll also have someone to rely on in an emergency.

If you don’t currently have a veterinarian, ask the adoption facility for a recommendation. Schedule an appointment soon after the adoption to ensure your pet gets off to a healthy start.

For those of you who have a cat, what advice do you have for new cat owners?

Sources: ASPCA, Petfinder, eHow

As we’ve shared before, we’re experiencing some exciting developments this year and are looking forward to sharing them with you. To reflect these developments, we have changed our name on our social networking accounts from The Greenies Company to versions of The GREENIES^® Brand.

YouTube is no exception – TheGreeniesCompany is now TheGREENIESBrand. Not only do we have a new channel name, but we also have a new channel URL: www.youtube.com/TheGreeniesBrand.

Please take a moment to update any permalinks you may have to any of our videos, and subscribe to our new channel! The old channel will be deactivated at the end of June.

While you’re there, investigate the four new videos featuring Dr. Marty Becker: 

Starting with a Healthy Mouth: Dr. Becker discusses how the overall health of your pet starts with a healthy mouth. 

The Seriousness of Periodontal Disease: Dr. Marty Becker discusses the risk factors of periodontal disease and how to proactively care for your pet’s oral health.  

Dr. Marty Becker on Turning Pill Time into Treat Time: Dr. Becker discusses how pet owners who struggle with giving their pets medicine are not alone and how GREENIES^® PILL POCKETS^® can help turn pill time into treat time. 

Making Sure Pets Get Their Medication – Even Those With Food Allergies: Dr. Marty Becker discusses the new GREENIES^® PILL POCKETS^® Allergy Formula Treats, made with duck and pea, as a hypoallergenic alternative to help those pets with common food allergies enjoy taking their medicine.

The month of June brings many things: the longest day of the year, insufferable heat and… cats? Yes, June is the American Humane’s Adopt-A-Cat-Month. During the next week, we at The Greenies^® Brand will be sharing some advice for those soon-to-be new cat owners.

Let’s look at the first steps to finding the right cat—beginning with determining the adoption facility or organization and things to keep in mind in choosing your cat.

Find a trustworthy facility

Before adopting, research the options to make sure they’re reliable. Supporting a facility that obeys laws and maintains high standards in their business practice ensures that your new pet has been well-cared-for. County or city shelters are a great place to start; typically they have a veterinarian on staff that provides basic care such as deworming and vaccinations. Some spay or neuter the animals before placing them for adoption.

Additionally, many adoption facilities now perform in-home interviews before allowing adoption, so be prepared to answer a few questions before you bring your new pet home. These interviews are in the best interest of you and your future pet, as it helps the facility confirm that you are well matched.

Choose the right cat

Typically, potential cat parents are not concerned with picking a particular breed; however, not all cats are the same. Jacque Lynn Schultz, MA, C.P.D.T., says, “If you are a novice cat owner, stay away from “excessive” cats—excessively shy, aggressive or demanding—for they may provide too great a challenge for your first experience.”

It is important to consider the personality of the cat in addition to its appearance. A pretty kitten may not always be the best pet. If you have small children, you may want to consider adopting a more experienced, adult cat as kittens and children are both very unpredictable. Once you’ve chosen a cat or at least narrowed your choices, spend some with them in the adoption facility for a preview of what kind of pet they will be at home. Keep in mind that animals in the shelter may be more timid than they will be once settled into their new home.

For those of you considering adopting this summer, what are you looking for in your new pet? For those that have gone through the adoption process, how did you know your cat was the right one?

Look for our next blog post later in the week; we’ll be talking about bringing your new cat home.

The GREENIES^® Brand’s 2^nd Annual Show Us Your Pet’s Healthy Smile Contest has come to a successful close. We’re pleased to announce that 5,039 proud pet parents uploaded a picture of their dog to show off its healthy smile. Thousands more logged on to vote for their favorite.

Once the top 10 finalists are confirmed—based on the number of eligible votes received—Cameron Woo, Editor of The Bark magazine and Dr. Jan Bellows will select the top three. And this year there are prizes not only for the winning dogs but also their hard-working veterinary clinic. Look for the official winners to be announced here, on greenies.com and on thebark.com in July.

If you want to continue to celebrate, there is still time to participate in PetSmart and PETCO’s healthy smile contests. To participate in the PetSmart contest, submit a GREENIES^® product review on their contest page here before June 21. For PETCO’s contest, upload a picture of your cat or dog, along with a short description of their love for GREENIES^® here before June 25.  

And remember, caring for your pet’s oral health shouldn’t end with this contest. Your pet’s oral health is important year-round. Check out our Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages to keep current with good oral health for your pet. And schedule an appointment with your veterinarian!

This past February The GREENIES^® Brand was invited to the 2010 Westminster Dog Show, during which hundreds of pet owners stopped by our booth to learn about pet oral health and medicine compliance.

Attendees were invited to participate in a sweepstakes to win up to a year’s supply of GREENIES^® products. Winners were randomly selected from all entrants who shared their best oral care or pill time story on greenies.com.

And the winners are:

First place—and a year’s supply of GREENIES^® products—goes to Denise M. Sugarloaf from Pennsylvania. Our second place winner was Clara R. Bear of Delaware, who will receive a six-month supply of GREENIES^® products.  

For the full list of the GREENIES^® Westminster Sweepstakes winners, please visit WIN.GREENIES.COM.

For many pet owners, discussing oral health issues with their veterinarian can be overwhelming. Much of the language may make little to no sense to the average pet owner, especially when some terms are used interchangeably. It’s understandable that some pet owners can be confused and worried.

Two of the most common words that veterinarians use to discuss pet oral health are gingivitis and periodontitis or periodontal disease. Some pet owners may think that these two health issues are totally unrelated while others may think that they are the same thing. Understanding the differences and the relationship between the two can help pet owners feel more confident in how to provide the best oral health care for their pet.

Gingivitis begins as a reaction to plaque that accumulates on the outside surface of the tooth. Plaque, composed of oral bacteria and food particles, is created daily in humans and pets.   The gum tissue or gingiva reacts to the plaque bacteria by becoming red and swollen—that condition is called gingivitis.  It’s important to reduce plaque every day through daily brushing, wiping the outside surfaces of the teeth or giving your pet a dental treat. If the plaque is not removed it hardens into concrete-like tartar and further encourages the bacteria to migrate below the gum line.  The lack of exposure to air and the seclusion in the gum line makes it easier for the bacteria to destroy part or all of the periodontal ligament that holds the tooth in the jaw.  This loss of tooth support is called periodontal disease or periodontitis.  Once periodontitis develops, bacteria and other pathogens move more easily into the bloodstream and may affect the overall health of the pet.

Gingivitis is reversible and curable with veterinary dental care and daily at-home oral care, so it is important to attend to gingivitis early on. Gingivitis can occur without periodontitis, however there’s no periodontitis without gingivitis. And although periodontal disease is not reversible or curable, its progression can be controlled with care from a veterinarian.

An important part of being a responsible pet owner is caring for your pet’s oral health. Preventing gingivitis so that periodontitis never has the opportunity to develop is one of the most important ways to have a positive impact on your pet’s overall health. Talk to your veterinarian about scheduling an ORAL ATP^® appointment to create an oral care plan. By developing and following an oral care plan recommended by the veterinarian, pet owners can help prevent oral disease and ensure that their pet’s smile remains healthy.

To hear more about how to keep your pet’s breath smelling sweet, check out our tips.

Oral care at home can be especially challenging for cat owners. Cats may like to have their chin scratched a little but they typically draw back when someone is near their mouth. But with just 10% of cats visiting their veterinarian for oral care each year,* daily care at home is especially important in preventing oral disease.

When deciding on the right at-home regimen for your cat, here are some things to consider:

1)      Pick a familiar flavor of pet toothpaste. Veterinarians and pet care companies have created toothpastes just for pets, made in all types of pet-friendly flavors and safe to use. Cats are notoriously finicky, so first try toothpaste that’s the same flavor as their food.

2)      Pick a product that engages their teeth: Unlike dogs who chew, a cat’s natural instinct is to bite, rip and tear their food and may only crunch down once or twice before swallowing. Pick a product that gives them multiple opportunities to bite.

3) Make daily oral care fun and non-invasive: Only 2% of cat owners own a toothbrush but the average cat owner gives 3.4 treats a day.* Why not put those treats to good use and choose ones that are good for their oral health?

When we designed FELINE GREENIES^® dental treats, we wanted to make oral care simple for cat owners and enjoyable for cats. With five flavors and less than two calories per treat, cats can have cleaner teeth, fresher breath, and still maintain a healthy weight! Offer these treats to your cat as recommended:

This week our post series focused on answering common pet owner questions about how to brush their pet’s teeth and deciding which GREENIES^® products are right for their pet. But it’s important to know about all of the options available for at-home care, including:

• Pet food with a special dental benefit
• Tooth gels and sealants
• Vaccines
• Wipes
• Drinking water additives

Veterinarians recommend twice-yearly oral exams and dental cleanings as needed, and an at-home care plan. Pet owners should talk with their veterinarian to determine which at-home options are best for their pet.

Tell us: How do you care for your pet’s oral health every day?

* American Pet Products Association, Inc. National Pet Owner Survey 2009-2010.

There are tons of options available to pet owners to help clean their pet’s teeth at home when brushing isn’t possible. From wipes to chews, picking the right method and product by deciphering their claims can be very overwhelming. In continuing this week’s focus on answering common pet owner questions, today’s post focuses on picking the right Canine GREENIES^® Dental Chews for your dog. 

As the #1 veterinary-recommended dental treat available at pet specialty stores, our tasty, easy to digest toothbrush-shaped chews provide an enjoyable and proven method to reduce plaque and tartar build-up. Specifically formulated to account for the bite strength and jaw mechanics of dogs based on their weight, age or dietary need, GREENIES^® Dental Chews are available in several sizes and formulations. Each formulation carries the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s Seal of Acceptance for the control of plaque and tartar, meaning they are clinically proven effective.

Traditional GREENIES^® Dental Chews: Our original formula is the perfect oral care solution for dogs between 6 months and 7 years. Like our other formulas they are nutritionally complete and balanced with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants sourced from fruits and vegetables. (Available in all five sizes.)

GREENIES SENIOR^® Dental Chews: Specifically designed for pets 7 years and older, this formulation is softer than regular GREENIES^® Dental Chews and chewy for older teeth and gums. This formulation also provides a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin to help support healthy joints. (Not available in Jumbo.)

GREENIES LITE^® Dental Chews: Designed for pets paying special attention to their weight, this formulation contains fewer calories with added soluble fiber to aid in maintaining a healthy weight. (Not available in Jumbo.)

For pets younger than six months of age or weighing less than five pounds, look for other oral care alternatives than GREENIES^® Dental Chews such as tooth brushing.

If you need help determining which formulation or size is right for your dog, consult your veterinarian. And remember, like all food given to pets, make sure that there is plenty of water available for them to enjoy with their treat.

Our next post in this series will look at picking the right FELINE GREENIES^® Dental Treat for your cat, along with taking a quick look at some of the other alternatives available. For pet owners that already give Canine GREENIES^®Dental Chews, which formulation and size do you use for your dog?

It’s no secret that we’re dedicated to helping pet owners understand that pet oral health–including daily oral care–is just as important for pets as it is for us humans. Without it, there’s a lot that can happen in a pet’s mouth that, left untreated, could contribute to serious health issues.

This week, in celebration of the Show Us Your Pet’s Healthy Smile contest, we’re posting a special series aimed at addressing common pet owner questions in regards to pet oral health: how to brush their pet’s teeth and how to choose the best GREENIES^® Dental Chews or FELINE GREENIES^® Dental Treats for their dog or cat, with a quick look at other alternatives available.  Remember, as with any new resolution you make for your pet’s health, visit your veterinarian first to assess your pet’s oral health and determine the best way to give your pet a healthy smile.

Brushing Your Pet’s Teeth

Only 1% of dogs and fewer cats in the U.S. have their teeth brushed daily*. For many pet owners, brushing their pet’s teeth is a daunting task. But following the veterinary-approved gold standard in oral care–tooth brushing–is the most effective way to prevent plaque and tartar build up.

Getting Started

THE TOOTHPASTE:  Choose toothpaste specifically formulated for pets in a flavor that your pet already likes, such as the same flavor as their food. Be sure not to use human toothpaste as the fluoride in human toothpaste is toxic to pets. Introduce your pet to the toothpaste by applying it to your finger and allowing your pet to lick it off. Do this a few times before you attempt to brush so your pet will view the toothpaste as a treat.

THE TOOTHBRUSH: Use a toothbrush that fits comfortably within your pet’s mouth. Pet toothbrushes come in two main shapes:

■        A stick shape with different sized bristles on both ends

■        A finger cap, with small bristles on the tip

Veterinarians typically recommend using the stick style to protect your hands if your pet becomes excited. However, if your pet is already accustomed to having their mouth handled, you may be comfortable with the finger cap.

THE RIGHT TIME: Choose a time of day when your pet is calm or relaxed, like right after a long walk or right before bedtime. This way they’ll be more receptive to you touching them and being in their space. Steer clear of play time or before or after feeding time because your pet may be excited or protective.

The Right Approach

EXAMINE THEIR MOUTH: Only the trained eye of a veterinarian or technician will catch all possible oral health issues, but before brushing, check your pet’s mouth for things like bleeding, missing or chipped teeth, or gum irritation. You don’t want to cause more discomfort.

THE PROPER GRIP: After placing the toothpaste on the bristles of the toothbrush, hold the brush at a 45-degree angle and start brushing on the outside of the teeth at the back of the mouth. Move forward in the mouth after you’ve brushed both the bottom and top teeth.

BRUSH EACH TOOTH: Take care to brush every tooth, but don’t fret if you cannot reach the inside of the teeth. The toothpaste and tongue licking will help to clean those tooth surfaces.

A Strong Finish

A GOOD REWARD: After you’ve finished brushing, reward your pet and yourself with loving praise, a treat or a special toy.

You may not feel you brush your pet’s teeth as well as your own, but making it part of a daily routine will help to keep plaque and tartar build-up in check, and is good for your pet’s health. For those of you who already brush your pet’s teeth, what are some tips that you’ve learned to make it easier?

Look for our post later this week that will address choosing the right GREENIES^® Dental Chew for your dog.

* American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Inc. National Pet Owners Survey, 2009-2010