Last month was National Pet Dental Health Month, and in fact, one of the most common
problems we see as veterinarians is dental disease. If you’re wondering how your own
pets might fare with a look under the hood, take a quick peek yourself. Like us, all cats
and dogs get tartar and gingivitis. Unlike us, their tartar quickly turns to calculus,
something as hard as concrete in a very short time.
One of the most important parts of your pet’s health exam is the mouth. Unless their teeth
are brushed regularly, they can quickly look (and smell) terrible. One of the most
challenging things I can say to a client is, “What do you think we start brushing these
things?” And then I see the look on Mrs. Smith’s face. A look of despair and
hopelessness, as if I had just asked her to play Rachmaninoff in front of a crowd of
thousands.

Dogs and cats need both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for optimal health. The importance of essential fatty acids in canine and feline nutrition has been known for some time. Their use as a dietary supplement to improve the health and appearance of the skin and hair coat has been well documented. By contrast, their use in the management of skin disorders, particularly their anti-inflammatory and anti-itch effects, continues to be the subject of both ongoing research and lively debate.

Linoleic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid) and linolenic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) are essential for both cat and dog, as well as arachidonic acid (an omega 6 fatty acid) for the cat. Linoleic acid is particularly important because it alone provides the necessary conditions to facilitate moisturization of the skin.

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Understandably, people willingly spend thousands-of-dollars attempting to get their sick pets better via conventional medicine. Ironically, these same people think that providing the proper nutrition and supplements capable of preventing illness are too expensive! And yet…

Tens-of-millions of pets have at least one disease; many are on multiple medications, and most pets over the age of 10 have some form of cancer. Not only does this affect their quality of life, it also significantly shortens their lives.