By Jennifer Herne, LVT

True or False: Pets are supposed to have bad breath? False. An odor is not normal. Just like in people, bad breath is often a sign of disease and may require treatment to safeguard the pet's life.

True or False: Pets don't need regular dental hygiene. False. Even with regular cleanings at your vet, your pet still needs regular tooth brushing to keep his breath sweet and his pearly whites sparkling!

True or False: Pets' mouths clean themselves. False. Your pet's mouth does have some natural enzymes but not enough to keep your pet's mouth clean. Debris can build up on their teeth and regular brushing will help get rid of this debris.

True or False: Cats don't need dental care. False. Cats and small breed dogs often require more dental care then larger breed dogs.

True or False: Cats have stinky breath because they eat smelly food. False. An odor in your cat's mouth could be a sign of disease and should be seen at a veterinarian right away.

You can prevent bad breath and dental disease in your pets with regular oral care. Veterinarians recommend daily tooth brushing; this is the best way to keep your pet's mouth healthy. You may also use oral hygiene rinses (specially made for pets), a special dental diet, water additives or even dental chew toys. Remember the more you do at home, the less your veterinarian will have to provide to treat dental problems in the future.