11 Foods for a Healthy Mouth

February is National Pet Dental Health Month, an entire month dedicated to your pet's teeth! As a pet parent you are probably most familiar with dental chews and teeth brushing as a way to care for your pet's mouth, but what about everyday foods that can help improve your pet's health? We've compiled a list from Animal Wellness Magazine of 11 foods and supplements that can help support healthy teeth and gums for your dog or cat.

1. Bee Propolis. This ancient supplement has significant anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. It’s excellent for infected gums and mouth ulcers for both dogs and cats. 

2. Raw Bones. Chewing on raw meaty bones does a great job of cleaning your pet’s teeth and helping to prevent the tartar formation. Raw bones also contain probiotic bacteria and enzymes fight and kill harmful bacteria before it takes hold and multiply, causing gingivitis and other infections.

3. Coenzyme Q10. This powerful antioxidant that not only supports cardiovascular health but also helps keep gums healthy. Consider adding it to your pet's diet for long term dental support. 

 4. Cranberries. This fruit contains numerous biologically active compounds. Research shows that pure cranberry juice may be powerful for fighting cavities. Many of the special substances found in cranberries may not only inhibit the formation of plaque, but can also stop the bacteria sticking to surfaces.

5. Dill. This herb has potent antimicrobial properties and helps to fight infections. Dill is a delicate herb, so always store it in the refrigerator, wrapped in a damp paper towel; better yet, keep it in a glass of filtered water, ready to be snipped and added to your pet’s daily diet.

6. Fennel. Fennel has many nutrients, is packed with vitamin C, has anti-inflammatory effects, and will also help freshen breath, aid in digestion and fight gingivitis as well as protect the liver.

7. Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE).  As one of nature’s antiseptics, this can be used both topically and internally. GSE helps your pet's body resist bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. 

8. Green Tea. With a rich source of nutrients, green tea is recognized as being beneficial to oral health. In humans, it has been shown to help prevent cavities and help enamel. Check out decaffeinated freeze-dried green tea solids, commonly called green tea extract.

9. Oats. Low in starch and high in minerals, especially potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium, oats are also rich in vitamins B, E and G. They are a nutritive food and support strong teeth while also serving as a nerve, blood, and hair tonic.

10. Parsley. As one of the world’s most concentrated food sources, parsley has potent antimicrobial properties that make it the perfect breath freshener. Parsley can be fed as a whole food, solution or as a cool tea. It can be added to your pet's regular diet, where it is quickly and easily absorbed.

11. Wild Strawberries. The acid in this fruit cleans the teeth while the seeds act as an abrasive to scrub the surface. For centuries wild strawberries have been mashed into a paste and used to remove tartar, clean the teeth, and alleviate toothaches.

Don't forget that a dental routine beyond just food is important for healthy gums and teeth. Morris Animal Inn offers dental chews and teeth brushing to keep your pet on track, even when they are away from home! Be sure to consult your veterinarian if you are unsure about introducing any new items into your pet's diet. They can help you figure out the right dosage and balance that will best suit your dog or cat.

Source: Animal Wellness Magazine

National Pet Dental Health Month - FREE Teeth Brushing

For most humans, we have a set routine each day for our mornings and evenings. We change our clothes, wash our face and brush our teeth for fresh breath and a healthy smile. But how many of us can say we have a similar teeth brushing routine for our dog or cat?

“Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets,” according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), who says that the disease affects 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats by age three. This widespread pet health problem means that recognizing February as National Pet Dental Health Month is more important than ever.

Problems with your pet’s teeth start with plaque buildup, which then can become covered by tartar. As more plaque builds on top of the tartar, the teeth themselves become weak and can potentially fall out. Bacteria that build up underneath this plaque and tartar can also affect your pet’s kidney, liver and heart heath, along with causing them significant pain while eating.

So how do you know if your pet’s tooth health is on the decline? “The easiest way is to take a whiff of the breath,” says Dr. Jan Bellows, president of the American Veterinary Dental Society. If your dog or cat has consistently bad breath, this is a primary indicator that something is going on. Other signs include frequent pawing or rubbing at their face or mouth, a reluctance to eat hard foods, red swollen gums or brown teeth.

The best and most effective “treatment” for oral disease, however, is prevention. Regular teeth brushings and dental checks will help prevent your pet from exhibiting any of these symptoms and keep them healthy and happy.

In recognition of National Pet Dental Health Month, we are offering a FREE teeth brushing with any Lodging, Grooming or Daycare appointment at Morris Animal Inn. Redeem your free coupon offer in our February newsletter, here.