Oral Care is Health Care | Current Issue | petbusiness.com – Pet Business Magazine

Of course, most—hopefully all—pet owners know they need to pay attention to their dog’s or cat’s health, and most—again, hopefully all—realize this involves regular visits to the vet for routine exams and necessary treatments. But what often goes unrecognized is that there is much they can do on a daily basis to support well being, not only potentially staving off problems, but also expensive vet bills. Frequently overlooked in this respect is dental care.
One can understand how intimidating the thought of tending to a dog’s or cat’s (especially a cat’s) teeth might be. And at one time, the difficulty of doing so was a valid deterrent—why up until recently pet owners largely depended entirely on vet dental care, says Scott Reinhardt, vice president of sales and marketing for SwedencareUSA. Headquartered in Rosenberg, Texas, the company manufactures premium dental care products for dogs and cats. But this is beginning to shift, he adds.
“Pet owners are increasingly becoming more aware of the need to incorporate good dental hygiene practices for their pets,” Reinhardt says. “As the trend of humanizing pets and treating them as part of the family continues, we are seeing pet parents looks for ways to incorporate dental care into their regular routine. [Still], pet parents need to be educated that there are ways they can take an active role in their pet’s oral care.”
Eric Abbey, president and founder of Loving Pets, says that although education around dental health has “made great strides” there is, nevertheless, much more to be done. Located in Cranbury, N.J., the company provides all-natural dog and cat solutions and treats, as well as feeding products and accessories.
Abbey says estimates are that by the age of three, about 80 percent of dogs will have some sort of periodontal issue. The consequences can be serious.
“Stinky dog breath (halitosis) and general poor dental health can not just be annoying but can be signs for more serious dental health issues,” he explains. “Dental bacteria, plaque and tartar are not only detriments to the pet’s teeth and gum but internal organs (especially the heart) can also be at risk when the bacteria travel to the bloodstream.
“[Consequently], a consistent dental hygiene routine is of utmost importance for all pets,” Abbey continues. “Whether this be daily treats, teeth brushing or beyond, consistency is key.”
 
As pet owners become more aware of the dental care options and the need to take a proactive approach around oral hygiene that the dental care category is continuing to trend upward in both growth and demand, says Reinhardt. Driving this activity are product options designed not only for effectiveness but for ease of use.
For example, Swedencare’s PlaqueOff Powder for dogs and cats is made from sustainably harvested, natural dried kelp and can be applied daily on the pet’s food to help, even eliminate, plaque and tartar. As such, it also serves as a chemical-free breath freshener.
Also from the company are the holistic soft bites for dogs and cats. Containing limited functional ingredients, the bites are free of grains, gluten and soy and are formulated to help maintain clean, fresh breath. Among those for dogs are the Vegan Sweet Potato & Peanut for oral care support.
Loving Pets offers the Toothsticks Daily Dental Dog Treats. The USA-made treats are shaped in a pinwheel that supports a dog’s teeth and gums by mechanically cleaning teeth, reducing tartar while massaging gums, and are made with real chicken and breath-freshening mint, parsley and alfalfa. 
The company also offers the Ora-Bone USA Dental Chew. Containing three breath-freshening ingredients the chew’s design has a dental feature on every surface; a center bulb that cleans behind the teeth, the roof of the mouth and tongue; teeth-fitting channels that wrap around both sides of the bone for more effective cleaning; and nibs to massage the gums and scrape the tongue for fresher breath.
Pet King Brands, Inc., in Westmont, Ill., manufactures a variety of enzyme-based products including Oratene Brushless Oral Care for small and large animals, says Debra Decker, director of marketing. The vet-recommended products include items for daily maintenance and prevention, and one for more serious issues. 
Available in the Oratene product family is the Brushless Toothpaste Gel that can be applied directly to the dog’s or cat’s gum line with the tip of the tube, a finger or a toothbrush—no brushing required, says Decker, explaining that the enzyme technology works to inhibit odor-causing bacterial and to eliminate the plaque biofilm that sticks to the pet’s teeth and harbors germs. Another of their products in the Water Additive. Added to fresh drinking water, pets can benefit from these enzymes with each lap. There is also a Breath Freshener spray and the Oratene Oral Gel for pets.
 
Pet specialty retailers are the first line of defense when it comes to educating customers about the importance of pet oral care and about the symptoms that could indicate a problem. An occasional bout of stinky breath is acceptable, she says, but if chronic, it’s often a red flag that something is amiss.
“Bad breath can be related to digestive issues but it can be a clue that the oral flora in a dog’s or cat’s mouth is experiencing an unhealthy balance of bacteria in the mouth,” she explains. “One of the leading causes of this is a poor salivary condition that happens when the saliva loses its protective benefits, leading to an overgrowth of bacteria and/or fungus in the pet’s mouth.”
If left unaddressed, over time this condition can cause tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss, Decker says, adding the biggest reason this problem occurs is medications the pet is taking.
Reinhardt says they encourage pet specialty retailers to ask customers what they’re doing to address their pet’s oral health needs.
Inquire about any symptoms the pet may have such as excessive drooling, not eating or not wanting the face to be touched—all of which, says Decker, could indicate a problem (and don’t forget to ask about breath issues).
Carry a variety of solutions that customers can relate to and that have easily understood ingredients and benefits, suggests Abbey. 
Explore cross-merchandising opportunities. If the store has a special section for puppies locating these items can get customers thinking about pet oral health earlier. Or, since older dogs are likelier to have dental issues, housing dental care products in the senior section is another good strategy. And, since the need for dental care doesn’t take a vacation, placing these items in the travel section also makes sense. 
“Pet oral care products need to be merchandised where consumers can easily find them and where they have access to store staff to ask questions,” says Reinhardt. “This category is different from pet food or toys in that consumers will often have initial questions. Staff need to be educated and prepared to answer questions on products.”  PB
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos.

source