The American Veterinary Medical Association declared February as National Pet Dental Health Month several years ago to underscore the importance of oral healthcare. Did you know that up to 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats develop periodontal disease by the time they are three years old? This is alarming because untreated periodontal disease can cause infection by spreading to other areas of the body. It can also cause your pet to lose teeth, making it more difficult for him to chew food and get the nutrition he needs to remain healthy.

Preventing Dental Disease in Dogs and Cats
Proper brushing and regular dental exams are one key to your pet’s oral health. The other is providing her with nutritious, species-appropriate food. The best pet foods have little or no added fillers. Additionally, they contain enough meat and protein to provide energy. Dental chews for dogs can help reduce plaque and tartar, but you should not give one to your dog in place of regular brushing. The toothbrush and toothpaste you buy should also be species-specific. 

To brush your pet’s teeth, have him sit in a relaxed position and then follow these steps: 

• Massage the cheeks for several seconds 
• Introduce toothpaste by placing a small dab on your finger or a treat and allow her to lick it off 
• Place a small amount of toothpaste on a toothbrush and place in your pet’s mouth without brushing 
• When your pet appears comfortable with the process, brush the surface of one tooth at a time 
• Retract the lips so you can reach the back molars 
• Concentrate on the upper and outer molars if your pet only tolerates brushing for a short time 
• Gradually increase total brushing time from a few seconds to two minutes

Be sure to praise your pet for any cooperation that you get. Eventually, she will come to accept toothbrushing as part of the daily routine.

When to Schedule an Immediate Appointment
Please contact Noonday Veterinary Center right away if you notice any of these symptoms:

• Bleeding, red, or swollen gums 
• Bad breath 
• Drooling more than usual 
• Hesitancy to eat 
• Brown or yellow deposits on the teeth

These symptoms could indicate that your pet has an infection or another dental issue requiring prompt treatment. 

Dr. Morris checks the condition of your pet’s teeth and gums at every preventive care appointment. He/she will recommend scheduling a follow-up appointment for any noted concerns. 

Between work, family responsibilities, and caring for your home, you have precious little time to add another errand to the list. However, you can’t very well let your cat run out of specialty food or your dog go without needed medication. When you shop with MyVetStoreOnline through Noonday Veterinary Center, you don’t have to take time out of your already busy schedule to get your pet the things he or she needs. You can set up an account in less than a minute and then order from one or several of the following product categories: 

• Cat Food 
• Dog Food 
• Horses 
• Small Mammals 
• Flea and Tick 
• Heartworm 
• Medications 
• Easy Dose It! (Single doses of medication) 
• Supplements 
• Dental 
• Eye and Ear 
• Joint 
• Skin and Coat 
• Supplies 
• Gifts 

 
How to Register for Your MyVetStoreOnline Account and Place an Order
To sign up for an account, click here to go the registration page. Once there, you just need to enter your name, email and mailing addresses, and your telephone number. You can also record your pet’s name and species for future reference. That’s all there is to the registration process.

You can start shopping for pet products immediately by navigating to the All Products tab. This brings you the list of the 15 top-level categories listed above. When you click on the product category, you will see several sub-categories that make it even easier to find the specific items you need. Just click on the name of the item you’re interested in to see more details about it. For example, the listing for Royal Canin Cat Food gives a description, feeding instructions, and ingredients.
 
You can add items to your cart as you go and then click the Check Out tab when you’re ready to finalize your order. The system displays shipping costs and any applicable sales tax before requesting your payment information.
 
After You Place Your Order
Before MyVetStoreOnline can ship your order, it must go to Dr. Morris for approval. This is to ensure your pet’s safety. He will contact you with any questions or concerns about the products you ordered for your pet if necessary. It then takes three to five business days after his approval for MyVetStoreOnline to ship your order. All orders over $38 ship free via UPS. You also have the option of requesting Next Day Air on most orders. Refrigerated items ship by Next Day Air automatically.  

Noonday Veterinary Center is happy to offer this online shopping option as a convenience to our valued clients.