Pet Nutrition

By: JaAnn Johnson

During the cold season do your pets seem a little slower?

Here is a food that can help their joints become more flexible and not so sore.
We have had many clients start to use Hill’s Prescription Diet J/D dog food, and have seen a drastic change within 2 weeks.

j/d™ Canine
Hill's® Prescription Diet® j/d™ Canine is an innovative dog food that helps maintain healthy joints and improves mobility in dogs. Its unique formula contains high levels of EPA (Eicosapentanoic Acid), an omega-3 fatty acid found in high concentrations in fish oil. Research has shown that EPA can help maintain joint function. Enhanced levels of glucosamine and chondroitin provide the building blocks of healthy cartilage, and L-carnitine, which helps maintain optimum body weight. j/d™ Canine improves the quality of life by helping dogs run better, play better, and rise more easily.

What to look for if you're pet has arthritis
Be alert and know the signs to look for in your dog. Watch for changes in mobility and quality of life that might point to a joint health problem. Watch the Videos on http://www.hillspet.com/ and see for yourself. A moving experience in as few as 21 days. See the dramatic difference Chandler and Gabby experienced after being fed Prescription Diet j/d dog food.

__Dental Health and Care__

February is Dental month for your pets. Believe it or not they need to have their teeth looked at just like us.

Feline Dental Cleaning

Canine Dental Cleaning

Hill’s Prescription Diet T/D is a food that we recommend and helps keep the tarter count down on their teeth by making them really crunch down on that tarter buildup.

Andrea, one of our nurses who loves to clean your pet’s teeth finished cleaning a feline client’s teeth. When we did our follow up call the owner stated that her cat is acting like a totally different cat, playing, loving and causing a little more mischief now.

Animals hide their aches and pains very easily. It could be as simple as a chipped tooth, abscess on the tooth or just tarter buildup. By fixing these simple aches and pains you can tell a tremendous difference in your pets.

A complementary check on your pets teeth by one of our nurses is recommended. Please call and make an appointment.

Until you decide to get those teeth looked at here are some methods and information that you can use to help your furry friends at home.

t/d® Canine
For the Nutritional Management of Dogs with Dental Disease
This painful and potentially serious problem is most usually a result of plaque and tartar buildup at and under the gum line. Prescription Diet® t/d® Canine dog food is formulated specifically for the nutritional management of dogs with dental disease. It's special fiber matrix scrubs the exposed tooth surface like an edible toothbrush, reducing bacteria-laden plaque. If left unchecked, this buildup can lead to gingivitis, a dental condition that can weaken the gums and tissues that support the teeth. The nutritional formulation of Prescription Diet® t/d® may also be useful for pets with a variety of conditions.

Dental Care for Your Dog/ Cat
There are several ways you can care for your dog/ cat's teeth every day.
A complete home dental care program for your dog/ cat often will include brushing as well as a special pet food that helps care for your pet's teeth while he or she eats. Learn more about pet dental care at PetDental.com

Even if you aren't able to brush your dog/cat's teeth every day, by incorporating a special pet food into there daily routine, you can provide the dental care needed to keep them healthy. Be sure to talk with your veterinarian about the options that exist and which are right for your dog.

At the Family Pet Hospital we offer a variety of dental tools to help with the at home dental care: toothpaste/ toothbrushes formatted for canines and felines, Biotene Drinking Water Additive (helps remove Plaque and inhibit Odor Causing Bacteria) that you put in the you're pet's drinking water. Plus other accessories.

Brushing Your Dog/ Cat's Teeth
STEP 1: Introduce a brushing program gradually. Avoid over-restraining him and keep brushing sessions short and positive. A small dog/ cat can be held in your lap. Praise and reassure your pet throughout the process.
STEP 2: At first, dip a finger into beef bouillon. Rub the soaked finger gently over your dog/ cat’s mouth and teeth. Make the initial sessions short and positive.
STEP 3: Gradually, introduce gauze over the finger and gently scrub the teeth in a circular motion.
STEP 4: Finally, you can introduce a soft toothbrush designed for pets. Use a sensitive or ultra-soft brush designed for people or a brush designed for pets. Special pet toothbrushes are available from your veterinarian or specialty pet store. Don't use toothpaste designed for people because it could upset your dog's stomach.