WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO CARE FOR YOUR DOG'S GNASHERS.

Is your dog known as Phwoar-Stinko in the doggy playground because of his chronic halitosis? Do other dogs shun him at playtime?  Do humans flap their hands in front of their faces when they bend down to stroke your dog? These are all classic signs that your dog is suffering from poor dental hygiene and urgently needs attention by your vet.

The good news for dogs is that they don't get cavities as human beings do. But despite the old conventional wisdom that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a humans, dogs can still develop problems like tartar, plaque build up, and gingivitis. But it’s not just chronic stinky breath and yellow teeth that you have to worry about, its the life-threatening infections and issues including heart, liver, and kidney disease that happen if you don't care for your dog's smile.

Most dogs hate having their teeth forcibly brushed with toothpaste so the best solution is to squeeze a blob of doggie liver flavoured toothpaste in their food. The saliva spreads the toothpaste onto their gums and teeth and that helps to keep the plaque off the teeth. Many pet shops sell tasty dog toothpastes.

Another good product for long term treatment is Plaque Off. Sprinkled in their food twice a day, it does really keep their teeth clean and their breath smelling fresh. You can get this from Fetch, pet shops or other internet sites for all things doggy.

If you think that Plaque Off is expensive, then do what I do. I buy sheets of dried sea weed called Wakame or Nori from the Japanese section of the supermarket, crumble it and mix into your dog's food. Because it tastes salty, dogs love eating it.

There is a wonderful homeopathic remedy, Fragari 6c, available from Ainsworth's or Nelson's Pharmacies, either in person or by mail order.  Two pillules twice a day in food makes the plaque fall off.

Be good to your little fur baby and look after their teeth.
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This 'n that .....................................
scuffing through the leaves
We're thirteen days into September, more commonly known as Christmas Eve Eve Eve Eve Eve Eve Eve Eve Eve Eve Eve Eve Eve Eve Eve. Here are a few handy tips to help ease yourself into the festive spirit a few months early:
Suggest a warm-up game of Scrabble. If you start now it should be finished by Pancake Day.
Eat chocolate every time you open a door. Mull everything. Buy a tub of nuts which is physically impossible to finish because the moment you get to Christmas week, you are sick of them and couldn't face another nut.
Try on some paper hats.  Decide on the one that looks great.
Curl up next to a roaring fire. Or a roaring microwave depending on your situation.
Play "Coming home for Christmas" but by the time it gets to Christmas, you will be sick of it because all the radio stations will have it on ad nauseum.

                                                    Enjoy this clip of skateboarding animals.


                                                        That's it until the next blog. Dawn ("")