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!!).
My only regret is not finding you guys sooner!! Keep up the great work!!!!" ~ Fred Brennan, Waymouth, MA
"We have 3 dogs. One is almost 10, the second is 2 but is fighting Valley Fever right now and the third is 2 also. We put the VF dog on antibiotics as soon as she began coughing. The old man never really started but I seem to remember he has had Kennel Cough before so he may now have some immunity.
The third dog started to cough on Thursday and by Saturday it was just awful to listen to. She was trying to hack up a lung and leaving foamy puddles of spit ALL OVER our house.
Thank goodness your Primalix KC arrived so fast. It came in the mail on Saturday afternoon. I immediately dosed all 3 dogs.
Overnight the cough was drastically reduced. I am amazed! I am continuing to treat all 3 dogs for another week.
Thanks for an incredible product. Please do not hesitate to use this review on your website." ~ Lyn Chambers, Phoenix, AZ
"Dear TripleSure, We are pleased with the cedar and peppermint flea spray - it seems to perform as promised & that's a big deal here in Florida which is flea central.
Finally, a practical alternative to the nasty spot style flea pesticides. I will recommend this to my friends who (like us) don't want to use the traditional toxic treatments.
My dog also smells woodsey, a lovely side benefit. We sprayed the house and the combo is working. THANKS!" ~ Michelle G., Ft. Myers, FL
"I have two dogs that have kennel cough. I bought the Primalix combo for the immune system and the kennel cough. The medicine arrived today and for the first time in two years, no coughing!"~ Kerry Jacques, Temecula, CA "I just want to thank you for your wonderful products and caring nature.
We made the decision to put Oreo to sleep on Tuesday. She was much worse Tuesday morning and it was time to let go. It was very hard as my husband and I wanted so bad for her to go on her own, but it was the right decision.
I know that your products helped give her a little more quality time with us than she would have had without them. I would also like all pet lovers to know the importance of spaying and neutering as early as possible - preferably before the first heat cycle - to decrease the chance of getting mammary gland cancer. Studies show mammary tumors in cats are 80% likely to be cancerous.
If I would have known about this risk, I would have started Oreo on the Primalix C-Care for cancer as a preventative measure long ago. I am going to continue giving it to my other 2 cats at least once or twice a week to hopefully prevent them from getting cancer.
Again, thank you so much for your kindness and compassion."
~ Jane Hicks, Thomasville, NC
“I just received my order of your flea and tick spray. Ok, at first I was skeptical, but now my wife and I are impressed. We see fleas or ticks on our German Shepard “Bumpers” or our Cocker Spaniel “Bella,” they get sprayed and – “Voila!” – dead fleas or ticks.The buy one get one free was a good deal. A little pricey, but if you want the best this does what it claims and is worth the money.
I want to thank you for making a product that actually works. On a scale from 1 to 10, TripleSure gets a 12.”
~ George and Brenda Campbell, Defuniak Springs, FL
"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.Wish I heard about it (on tv) long ago! I plan to encourage my friends with dogs or cats to try it.
Thank you for your immediate response to my inquiry. You are very efficient!
~ Joyce Snelling, Sun Lakes, AZ
"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.
Tidy Tears has all natural ingredients which I look for for my pets. Nice to have found a product that works after all these years in time for my Pom."
~ Marie Cherry, Altoona, FL
"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."~ Robin Kincaid, Port Orchard, WA
"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.We are all the way from Istanbul, Turkey, and find ways to carry the remedies with us or with people coming from the US to Turkey. I really do think you are doing a great job for dogs and cats. As an animal lover I shall spread the word as much as I can."
~ 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.I had my doubts about him being treated as a Type 1 diabetic as in the human population over 90% of people have Type 2, non-insulin dependant, diabetes.
So as my cat Timmy was practically dying in front of me I ordered your Primalix for cat blood sugar control. Within a short time of being on Primalix he recovered and also recovered from his diabetic neuropathy so he was able to jump again.
He has been on Primalix now for almost 3 years and the results have been wonderful. Also our vet is amazed at his progress.
I would, without hesitation, recommend any pet owner whose pet has blood sugar control problems to go onto Primalix----its a life saver!
With great appreciation,
Yours sincerely,"
~ Nigel Hyatt PEng (Ont), CEng, MIChemE (Professional Chemical Engineer) Ontario, Canada
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