Pet's bad breath could be early warning sign of gingivitis

Dear Readers: If you've noticed that a dog's or cat's breath has gotten pretty bad, it could an early warning sign of gingivitis, the dangerous gum disease. Yes, pets get it, and they could be at risk for tooth loss or, if left untreated, serious health problems.

You may think your pet is too young to have to worry about its teeth, but according to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show some sign of gum disease by age 3!

Small breeds of dogs are particularly vulnerable, especially Pekingese and Shih Tzu, because the teeth are crowded together in small mouths, making a great environment for plaque to grow — causing gingivitis.

Cats' dental problems are a little trickier to spot because the disease is often below the gumline, so you might not be aware of it until the teeth are seriously damaged.

Because February is Pet Dental Health Month, what better time is there than now to bring your pet in to see the veterinarian for a checkup? Prevention is the best way to protect your pet's dental health. Once a pet's teeth show signs of disease — bad breath, tartar, bleeding or pain when eating, or inflamed gums — it might mean that gum disease is already a problem.

So visit your vet and ask what you can do at home in between regular checkups to help keep your pet's teeth and overall health in tiptop shape. — Heloise

Dear Readers: Michelle Poulin of Waterville, Maine, sent in a photo of her cat, Alley, lying on a brown paper sack. Michelle says, "Alley likes to lie on paper bags when she is not inside them." — Heloise

Dear Heloise: For those who have indoor cat-litter boxes, scattered litter is always a problem. I use a litter box with a roof and a flat cardboard box, the kind soft drinks or bottled water come in — just outside the cat-box exit. The box is easy to pick up and makes it easy to dump the scattered litter back into the box. Much less mess! — Liz Hurt, Winnsboro, Texas

Dear Heloise: I have a miniature schnauzer who howls just the way your Cabbie does, with his head pointing upward in the air to let the wolves and everyone else know I am mistreating him. Or he is just talking to me. When he wants me to take time out to play with him, he backs away from me, head pointing upward, howling at the top of his lungs as he slowly backs away, to entice me to follow him to the play area. Aren't they little humans in disguise? — Delores Wernet, Aztec, N.M.

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