Dangers of Alcoholic Dental Sprays for Dogs and Cats

Pet lovers beware: there is a hidden danger lurking on pet supply shelves near you. Certain dental sprays and gels meant to combat tartar buildup in our dogs and cats are doing more harm than good. Some of these products contain a pure grain alcohol content of 25% or more, and that's conservative.

Twenty-five percent alcohol is what goes into a stiff mixed drink. The alcohol content in these sprays and gels only goes up from there. While these treatments may be quick fixes in the prevention of gingivitis and periodontal disease (and are indeed safer alternatives to anesthetized cleanings), slowly but surely they are harming our pets.

Alcohol is a toxin

In moderation, its consumption by humans is relatively safe. Shortly after its ingestion, alcohol begins to metabolize in the liver into acetic acid, which is non-toxic in the human body. The kidneys soon restore homeostasis in the blood, meaning water and pH levels etc. are balanced.

It has been suggested that ever since our Neolithic ancestors started partying over twelve thousand years ago, humans have been evolving an ever increasing tolerance for the hard stuff. Unfortunately for our four-legged friends, their bodies are not equipped to handle the hooch the same way as ours.

Metabolic processes in cats and dogs are much more sensitive than in humans. This is partly a matter of evolution, but not the naturally selective type. Through selective breeding we have engineered our pets to be smaller and frailer than their cousins in the wild. In drink lingo this makes them "lightweights."

So what does this mean?

It means that a spritz of dental spray or a swab of gel spiked with 25% pure grain alcohol administered to a one hundred eighty pound man would register three times the toxicity for a full-grown, sixty pound Black Lab.

For a twelve pound Calico cat, it means fifteen times. And while just one application would be relatively harmless, the recommended dosages for these products usually call for two doses in the morning and two at night - day after day, night after night - depending on your pet's genetic predisposition.

For animals whose metabolic systems are not suited to process these toxins in the first place, one hundred twenty doses a month really adds up. Then after their delicate metabolisms go into overdrive trying to detoxify the first dose of grain alcohol, the directions on the bottle instruct you to bombard them with a second, and later a third and a fourth.

There are consequences

Their livers simply aren't given time to recover. Their kidneys, whose filtering abilities are compromised by alcohol to begin with, aren't given time to restore homeostasis in the blood. With each subsequent dose, their work load multiplies. They have to work harder. That's when the damage sets in.

On top of that, another reason dogs and cats can't effectively process alcohol, even in small doses, is that their livers don't make enough alcohol dehydrogenase. This important enzyme (found in far higher abundance in humans) is essential in the breakdown of alcohol. In fact, a cat's liver is so ill-equipped for breaking down brew that two teaspoons of whiskey, according to the Columbia Animal Hospital, is enough to put them in a coma. A single tablespoon will kill them.

Of course, with these pet dental sprays and gels we are talking much milder quantities and potency than whiskey measured in tablespoons. But again, the culprit here is the quiet type - which makes it all the more dangerous.

Given time, its impact will become more conspicuous. When the cat's reflexes become less cat-like, the grain alcohol has begun its assault on the central nervous system. When the dog is eating grass on a consistent basis to make itself sick, its gastro-intestinal tract is on the fritz.

Do not wait for these signs

By this time it may be too late.

But let's not close this article on such a somber note. You see, there are pet dental sprays and gels that are alcohol-free and do the job every bit as well as their toxic competitors.

A simple brushing once a week with some beef flavored toothpaste and the occasional carrot (they're wonderful at breaking down tartar, if your dog isn't picky) works wonders as well.

"I am the kind of person who always speaks up when I think I'm not getting my money's worth for anything. I am also not hesitant to give praise where praise is due.

With that said I bought some of your DentaSure teeth spray for my cat. I received it at the beginning of this week. After 3 DAYS of using this product her teeth have already gone from a scary looking brown and very unhealthy to a light shade of yellow.

I am absolutely blown away by how fast this product has helped her teeth improve and the fact that it's all natural is huge to me (the vet has been pushing me to pay $720 for a cleaning including anesthesia!!).

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Overnight the cough was drastically reduced. I am amazed! I am continuing to treat all 3 dogs for another week.

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~ Kerry Jacques, Temecula, CA "I just want to thank you for your wonderful products and caring nature.

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"The DentaSure from my order of a week ago is already working on my 2 maltese's teeth and they both like it, making the job of cleaning their teeth much easier for me and is much more effective than trying to brush.

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"Just wanted to let you know that my 3 year old Pomerian no longer has any dark tear stains after using your Tidy Tears formula. What a relief.

As a retired dog groomer I knew most products were not successful and I wished I had answers for my clients who lived with these tear stains. I did not want my dog to have to live with it also.

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"Your TripleSure product and customer service are first rate. I have been using it on my Wire Haired Pointing Griffon for the past 10 months. Living in Minnesota we are in prime tick country. My dog has been in the thick of them on extended canoe trips, hunting in tall grass and daily trips along the Minnesota river trails.

TripleSure has prevented ticks & fleas. Granted, after water activity, it must be re-applied. However, this is a small price to pay considering not having the questionable chemical cocktail running through her from the standard systemic solutions such as Frontline. I have found that performance is enhanced if I take a minute to work in the spray by hand & finish it off with a light brush. Griffons have a double coat. My guess is that other breeds won’t need this."

~ K.C. Carpenter, Minnesota

"Thank you so much for offering these alternative solutions for really dangerous drugs vets give dogs and cats. I will always shop with you, and tell others."

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"I am very happy with the way my 9 year old lab has responded to your arthritis remedy. We were considering much more invasive methods, and now I am so happy we found your herbal remedies.

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~ Can Malta, Istanbul, Turkey

"About 3 years ago my cat Timmy was diagnosed with diabetes. The vet put him on insulin injections which were a disaster and his health deteriorated greatly and he exuded a horrible odor.

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With great appreciation,

Yours sincerely,"

~ Nigel Hyatt PEng (Ont), CEng, MIChemE (Professional Chemical Engineer) Ontario, Canada

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Helping Your Child Cope With The Death Of A Pet

The death of a pet is a traumatic experience for any child. It may be the first time he or she experiences the pain of loss. Helping your child work through her grief can make the healing journey more bearable.
First, acknowledge that your child’s grief is genuine. No matter how small the pet, your child will have formed an emotional connection with it. A child can grieve as intensely as an adult, albeit for a shorter time.
It is important to allow your child to express grief for his pet. Show him that it’s okay to be sad. Hiding your own sadness may make your child feel that he too should be holding back the tears.

Ceremony and remembering

Ritual is an important part of the healing process. It is a way of saying goodbye. A small ceremony or burial to mark the passing of a beloved pet represents closure. There are no rules here; do what feels right. Involve your child in the ceremony. Light a candle or ask your child to write a short poem or say a few words of her own. Don’t pressure her to do anything she doesn’t want to. This will only add to the trauma.

How To Recognize Pain In Cats

Cats are masters in hiding pain and discomfort. They won't complain or draw attention to the problem like a human will. As a result, cats can suffer from an ailment for a long time before we notice something is wrong.
Luckily, there are other signals that can tell us our cat is in pain. As cat owners, it is important that we learn how to read our cat's body language and behavior so we can quickly recognize pain and get appropriate help.

Why Do Cats Hide Pain?

Hiding pain and discomfort caused by injury or disease is natural cat behavior. This instinctive reaction is part of feline survival strategy. In a wild cat colony a weak cat loses status and power. This means the weak cat will have to survive on less food, have to give up the best hunting grounds and drinking places. The cat will be chased away from the safest sleeping spots. Stronger cats in the colony pose a threat to its survival. This is one reason cats hideweakness.

How To Remove Pet Stains on Carpet and Upholstery

Knowing how to remove pet stains on carpet and upholstery can save us time, money and possible embarrassment. As every animal lover knows, dogs and cats have an unfortunate habit of creating unsightly and foul-smelling messes around the house. This short guide gives you several quick, time-tested techniques on keeping your household clean and comfortable for both you and your furry friend.

Determine what sort of stain it is

Different types of stains require different cleaning strategies. Mucus stains, often caused by the ingestion of grass and hair, are relatively quick and easy to clean up with simple dish soap and water. Little if any odor is left behind. Fecal or vomit stains, on the other hand, can be trickier and often require a little more time and

Is Dog Psychotherapy Just Plain Crazy?

Is dog psychotherapy just plain crazy?

Americans spent more than $100 billion on their anxieties last year. In the past five years there were more prescriptions written for emotional problems than for any other category of medicine. In a culture quick to project human conditions upon animals, and treat them with human cures, I have to wonder whether more and more family dogs will wind up on psychiatrist’s couches and anti-depressant drugs.

A recent survey by the American Psychiatric Association showed 91% of Americans willing to seek counseling for themselves or a close friend following a crisis. This is not a bad thing for humans. It is a bad thing for dogs, however, because dog psychotherapy ignores the very reason humans and animals come together in the first place. It ignores the relationship.

How Toxic Is Chocolate To Dogs?

You probably already know that dog’s shouldn’t eat chocolate. But if your dog sneaks a few pieces of chocolate out of your Halloween bag, can it kill him? How much chocolate does it take to cause health problems, and how serious is chocolate toxicity in dogs?

Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs: Why is Chocolate Bad for Dogs?

Most people think dogs are sensitive to the caffeine in chocolate, but chocolate isn’t particularly high in caffeine, especially if you compare it to the levels found in coffee and tea. The compound in chocolate that’s more toxic to dogs is theobromine. Both compounds are in the same chemical class, and they both affect the central nervous system - but theobromines are far more toxic to dogs than caffeine.

Rescue a Pet for the Holidays?

Why rescue a pet for the holidays?

It's no secret that millions of animals are euthanized every year because they have no home. Many people wanting an animal choose to buy one at a retail store rather than adopt from a local rescue. While the reasons for doing this may differ, there are always much greater benefits to adopting a homeless animal than buying one. Here are a few things to think about that might persuade you to open your heart to a furry little orphan this Holiday Season.

A cat or dog from a pet store can cost anywhere from $300 to $8000. This is because the store has to make a profit and so does the breeder. But the money spent on a store animal goes into creating more animals to put back into the store, thus increasing the pet population further and reducing the animal to a product.

A better way

Since they are non-profit organizations, rescues charge a donation of $50 to $300. This includes spaying or neutering the animal, preliminary vaccinations, and sometimes giving them a microchip in case they become lost or stolen. This fee goes towards pulling more animals out of high kill shelters or off the streets, paying for vet bills, setting up spay/neuter clinics, and the cost of supplies to keep the rescue on its feet.

As stated, an animal from a rescue should be spayed or neutered and in good health before being given to its new owner. This is to prevent them from becoming pregnant and increasing pet overpopulation. Most animals sold in pet stores are put in the window as soon as they are old enough to leave their mothers, sometimes sooner. They are not spayed or neutered and receive no shots or care from a veterinarian. Once sold, the store can recommend a veterinarian nearby, but the medical costs come out of the consumer's pocket.

Population control

One of the main reasons rescues exist is due to the pet overpopulation. It is the goal of every reputable rescue to spay or neuter each animal in their possession and to educate the general public on the importance of altering their pets. Since the main concern of a rescue is the animal's wellbeing (why they rescued it in the first place), veterinary care is standard.

Human contact

In a pet store, the animals stay in cages or tanks until adopted by someone, often having little to no human contact beforehand. They may be socialized with their littermates or kept separately.

Many rescues have foster parents who socialize the animals not only with humans but other animals as well. It is important that the animal interact with its own kind or with animals it is expected to live around to ease the initial adjustment period.

Appropriate adoptions

A pet store employee's job is to make a sale by showing all of the positive points of their animals and getting the customer to take one home that day. A volunteer at a rescue is there to make sure the animal fits the lifestyle of the potential adopter so the adoption is beneficial for both the animal and the human. If a potential adopter is not satisfied with the selection at a rescue or has a specific animal in mind, rescues will often recommend another rescue where their choice might be available.

Adopting an animal from a shelter also comes with a support system. If you adopt from a rescue, they are always there to answer your questions, give advice, even help you look for the animal should it become lost.

The truth is what it is

Ultimately, an adoption fee to a rescue is supporting the decrease in homeless pet population and not encouraging the birth of more animals. Buying a pet at the retail store does the opposite. I know and respect a large number of honest and responsible dog breeders and pet store owners, and do not wish to offend any one of them. But the truth is what it is. If one considers these facts when getting a new pet, they may not only bring more joy to the world, they may also find themselves a new best friend for life.

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