Want to start the New Year with fresher kisses from your fur babies? Here’s how to make sure their breath is as sweet as they are!

A new survey reveals what pet parents in North America say about their pet’s breath. And while the results aren’t too surprising, what many pet parents may be surprised by is the fact that bad breath can be a sign of dental disease. As a matter of fact, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), by age three 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of dental disease. Just like in people, dental disease in pets can severely impact overall health.  In fact, poor oral health in dogs can lead to:

• Gum Inflammation
• Pathologic jaw fracture
• Kidney and liver disease
• Heart disease
• Loss of weight and appetite

And the news isn’t any better for cats. According to Cornell Feline Health Center, kitties with poor oral health can suffer from:

• Gingivitis
• Periodontal disease
• Tooth resorption

What causes bad breath, and how can you fix it?

There is some good news when it comes to bad breath. This symptom, and other indications of poor oral health, are caused by harmful bacteria that lives in pets’ mouths. In order to keep this bad bacteria at bay, it’s important to replenish the good bacteria.

Certain dental products are designed to help good bacteria thrive! ProBioraPet®, for instance, is an all-nature, no odor and no taste dental-care probiotic which not only replenishes beneficial bacteria by adhering along the gum lines and tooth surfaces, but also crowds out the harmful bacteria. It takes just one scoop a day mixed into your pet’s food to start them on the path to improved oral health and breath, which means sweeter kisses for you! In a separate poll, 88 percent of pet parents reported that their animals’ breath has improved since they started giving them ProBioraPet®. Several reported their pet’s mouth is now “sweet enough to kiss!” while one responded remarked that “their breath smells good even in the car with the windows rolled up!”

Other survey findings

Now back to the survey, which has some findings you might get a kick out of!

Fifty eight percent of pet parents say their pets have terrible breath, and they weren’t shy about describing it. Here’s how they described their pet’s breath:

• 47% compared it to smelly garbage
• 37% compared it to old leftovers in the fridge
• 16% compared it to sweaty gym clothes

It doesn’t get much grosser than that! But surprisingly, smelly breath doesn’t keep pet parents from loving up on their fur babes! Only 19 percent said bad breath stopped them from getting close to or kissing their pets, while a whopping 81 percent said bad breath didn’t stop them from snuggling with their pets!

Despite all that puppy love, 82 percent of pet parents understand that bad breath can signify underlying health conditions.  Yet only seven percent of survey respondents take their pets for annual cleanings at the vet. Thirty six percent said they do nothing to stop bad breath, and the remaining group tries to combat the problem with dental chews or other treatments.

Click here to learn more how you can get your pet started on a healthy oral routine and say buh-bye to smelly breath!