We humans need to brush and floss our teeth regularly to keep our teeth, tongue, and gums in good condition.  Given that our canine companions likewise have teeth, it stands to reason that they require the same care.

Wolves and wild dogs are able to keep their teeth free from plaque because they chew on raw bones. Bones scrape off plaque and help to remove any soft meat that could get stuck between teeth and cause bacteria to grow. Unfortunately, our domesticated friends largely eat processed kibbles and soft food that do little to assist in the tooth cleaning process, so it is up to us to manage our pets' oral hygiene.

Dental Dangers
If we don't take an active role in cleaning our dog's teeth we run the risk of our pets suffering painful, expensive and potentially life-threatening consequences.  Plaque builds up on the teeth and turns into tartar, or calculus. These areas grow bacteria that eat away at the teeth and gums causing halitosis, periodontal disease, oral pain and even tooth loss. Bacterial infections in the mouth can migrate via the bloodstream to other areas in the body, including vital organs such as the kidneys and heart, posing serious risk. The best plan of attack is to stop dental disease before it starts or at very least address it as soon as it is detected.

What to Look For            
To avert problems that could lead to severe dental disease, inspect your dog's teeth on a regular basis and keep an eye out for any of the following signs:

• Halitosis (bad breath)
• Reluctance to chew or soreness when chewing
• Increased salivation
• Red and/or puffy gums
• Bleeding gums
• Tartar or Calculus (hard coating on teeth that is usually brown or yellow)
• Missing and/or loose teeth
• Anything else about the mouth that appears unusual

 
Preventing Dental Disease
Your veterinarian will check your dog's teeth as part of your pup's regular preventative check-ups. Your vet can also perform dental cleaning under anesthesia that includes scaling each tooth both above and below the gum line, probing of the gums themselves and taking x-rays of the teeth to ensure the health of the roots. However, vet visits alone are not sufficient to ensure the oral health of your pup, so you will need to address the health of your dog's teeth on a weekly, if not daily basis.
 
Regular Tooth Brushing
First, NEVER brush your dog's teeth with human toothpaste - it can make your dog sick! Use special enzymatic toothpaste made especially for dogs. You can purchase meat flavoured toothpaste (yum!) from your local pet store along with a toothbrush that is suitable for canine use.
 
Oral Rinses
Rinses added to water can be a great way to control plaque and tartar without the effort required by brushing. Again, never use a human Oral Rinse on a dog.
 
Dental Chews
There are a variety of dental chews on the market that assist with the blocking of tartar through enzymes while allowing the dog to 'brush' his own teeth by chewing. Some offer breath freshening additives as well.
 
Meaty Bones
Last, but certainly not least, raw meat bones are nature's way of brushing your dog's teeth. They keep teeth and gums healthy while also providing essential nutrients. They are a high-value treat that most dogs can't get enough of, whether added to a meal or as a meal in and of themselves. Chewing meaty bones has the added advantage of providing exercise, mental stimulation and stress reduction to your dog. Make sure that bones are fresh and thawed but not cooked as they can become brittle and splinter. In addition, old, dry bones should be discarded as they become too hard and can cause tooth breakage.

This past year has been one of tremendous growth for Wag Zone. Our attendance is up substantially and we are excited to have been able to add the Outdoor Play Yard, Puppy Hour, WagMobile, and seminars to our existing services. In addition, we put our entire staff through the training necessary to achieve PCSA* Certified Pet Care Technician status to ensure that your dog receives the best in care while he or she plays and stays with us.

We are pleased to announce that while it has become necessary for us to implement a modest price increase in order to keep up with rising costs, the majority of our clients will NOT be affected. We have worked hard to contain costs and keep our pricing competitive an only stays shorter than 6 hours will be affected.

New Pricing - Effective October 1, 2009

0-4 hours   -   $20
4-6 hours   -   $26
6-9 hours   -   $30
9+ hours   -    $34
(Prices exclude GST)

We're proud of our growth and the excellent reputation that we are establishing and will continue to work to ensure you get the best value for your dollar.

* Pet Care Services Association