A dog uses his mouth for many things. Among these would be to eat, to communicate with us and other animals, to gnaw, crush, and grind things. He also uses it to carry food and objects from one place to another. Needless to say, the mouth has a very significant function in your dog’s life.

When you notice that your dog has bad breath, it could be a sign of a health problem that needs to be addressed right away.

Periodontal Disease

This is a condition brought about mostly by the accumulation of tartar in the mouth. It is a common disease that in fact, about 50-80% of dogs has it. Food particles left in the mouth after a meal will eventually decompose. As a result, bacteria will grow in numbers forming plaque and tartar.

When this happens, tartar will push the gums farther from the teeth, causing them to loosen as time passes by. Loosened teeth can expose root sockets, thereby infecting it. Infection then goes to the bloodstream, and then on to the liver, kidney, and eventually, the heart.

Signs of Periodontal Disease

The following are tell-tale signs of the disease:

1. Change in eating habits.

2. Pawing (at the mouth)

3. Excessive drooling

4. Tenderness in the mouth

5. Oral bleeding

6. Inflammation and swelling (face, particularly around the eyes)

7. Nasal discharge

8. Sneezing

9. Bad breath

Of all the common symptoms, the most obvious would be bad breath.

Treatment

Once you suspect your dog has periodontal disease, take him to the vet right away. He can clean your dog’s mouth and prescribe medication, possibly antibiotics.

Prevention

Food has something to do with it. Studies show that a diet consisting mostly of canned meals (soft food) is never a good idea. Experts agree that dry food has a lowered risk, in terms of getting this disease.

Another way to prevent periodontal disease is to have dental checkups once a year. You can also give your dog herbal supplements, of which Echinacea is the most recommended. This can be in the form of mouthwash or tea.

Brushing! Just like us, we can keep our dog’s mouth clean and healthy with regular brushing.

You have a role to play in ensuring your dog is in the best of health. Do not wait until such time when he is already suffering from problems in his liver, kidney, and heart. Keep his mouth and body healthy.

Read more about diabetes in dogs, how to care for a diabetic dog and conditions associated with diabetes in dogs at DiabetesInDogsGuide.Com.

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Howling is a common behavior amongst cats. Many cats choose to vocalize with howling or loud meowing, which can be indicative of a physical or psychological problem. However, owners should be aware that some breeds or more apt to howl than others. Therefore, howling may be a natural expression and nothing for an owner to worry about.

Noisy Breeds of Cat

Most likely to howl is the Siamese. Subsequently, perhaps unsurprisingly, cats bred from Siamese are also known to howl more than the average cat. Excessive vocalization in these breeds is, typically, not symptomatic of any underlying health issue. However, it is advisable for owners to report any alterations in their cats’ howling behavior to a vet.

Howling Can be Caused by Health Problems

In some cases, howling is your cat’s way of letting you know that something is wrong. If you are a long-time cat owner, you will know that cats, by nature, are quite stoical. Therefore, it is sometimes difficult to recognize a health problem until it is in the advanced stages. Subsequently, it is advisable to seek immediate assistance from a vet if your cat suddenly starts to howl.

Often, howling can be caused by emotional problems, such as stress, boredom, grief or lack of attention. However, it is best to rule out any physical ailment before assuming that the problem is psychological. In older cats, howling can be indicative of chronic renal failure or

Feline Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS)

In addition, older cats may experience a form of dementia known as Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome. Like Alzheimer’s in humans, this can cause confusion, disorientation and anxiety. It also causes insomnia, which means that a cat may feel particularly anxious at night.

A vet may be able to prescribe medication to ease the cat’s anxiety, but, unfortunately, there is no cure for CDS.

hyperthyroidism.

The Attention Seeking Howl

Some cats quickly learn that meowing gets attention, affection and/or food. Therefore, if you cat is feeling neglected, he, or she, may begin to howl to secure your attention. If this is the case with your cat, it is advisable to ignore him, or her, when noisy, because even negative attention will be deemed as a good thing by your cat.

Therefore, it is wise to use positive reinforcement to demonstrate to your pet that it is when he, or she, is quiet that you will offer attention and affection. This can be difficult, especially if your cat is disrupting the neighbors, but if trained correctly it will not take long for your cat to understand that howling does not produce the desired response.

Stress, Anxiety or Grief Howling

If there has been a sudden change, such as a move, introduction of new people or pets, or a death in the family, this may cause your cat to howl. In these instances, it is advisable to offer your cat lots of affection and reassurance.

The best way to ease your pet’s anxiety is to try to maintain a strict routine, for example ensure that your cat is fed at the same time every day. In extreme cases of stress, a vet may be able to prescribe an oral medicine. Alternatively, you may prefer to use a cat pheromone product, such as Feliway.

Howling When Bored or Frustrated

Boredom is very common among indoor cats. This can be eased with simple measures on an owner’s part. Firstly, it is important to have your cat spayed or neutered, as this will decrease the cat’s natural roaming instinct and will reduce some of the frustration it may be experiencing. Next, it is crucial that a cat owner make his, or her, home as stimulating as possible for a feline. In other words, ensure that you have lots of toys and climbing equipment for your cat to enjoy when you are not around. On the other hand, when you are at home, it is a good idea to spend some quality time with you cat.

As with cats that howl for attention, it is wise to ignore your cat while it is being noisy, but shower it with attention when it is quiet.

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As mentioned, there are numerous reasons for howling in cats. Owners should be aware of their animals’ natural behavior and note any changes that may indicate a health issue.

Samantha Markham is a UK-based freelance writer. She is currently producing articles for Remmeer.com, an online supplier of a wide range of items for pets and their owners, such as unique cat & cat lover gifts and <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" target="_blank" href=" cat”>http://www.remmeer.com/cat-picture-frames-c-41.html”>cat & kitten photo frames.

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