February 20th is Love your Pet Day! It's time to focus on appreciating the unconditional love your pet provides you every day of the year! 

How should you celebrate? While you could give them an extra treat or a new toy, we recommend that you celebrate this day by taking extra care of their health and focusing on their dental and eye care. Investing in their health now will allow you to enjoy many more Love Your Pet days together in the years ahead! Here are a few reasons why dental and vision care are an important part of your furry friend’s whole body health:

Dental

• Although many pet owners assume that dental issues just lead to bad breath, they can also lead to problems with important organs such as your pet's heart, liver and kidneys.
• A veterinarian can teach you how to provide proper dental care at home. This may include brushing your pet's teeth or giving them special treats to prevent gum irritation and tartar buildup. This will save you money on dental procedures down the road.
• Periodontal disease is common in dogs over 3 years old. A regular dental checkup and cleaning can prevent this from occurring.
• Pets with dental issues may lose their teeth. This is often painful and can lead to more serious health issues.
• Pets can't tell us when they are in pain. They may be hiding a serious dental issue that only a veterinarian will be able to spot and resolve.
• Unlike humans, pets don't show their teeth by smiling. This means you may not notice if they have broken teeth, swollen or bleeding gums, or a missing tooth. Pay attention to your pet’s behavior and be sure to do regular checks of their teeth and gums between vet visits.

Vision

• Some breeds of cats and dogs are prone to developing a vision problem either due to anatomy or heredity.
• Issues that can occur like glaucoma, infections, corneal ulcers, unusual discharge, and irregular pupils are often treatable. However, without treatment, these issues may result in vision loss.
• For many pet eye disorders the treatment is medicated drops. These medicines are usually inexpensive and relatively simple to administer. 

Show your pet how much you care this February 20th by scheduling a dental and eye exam with your veterinarian. Just as you take care of your eyes and teeth, it's important to do the same for your pet. If they haven't been in for a full physical recently, consider scheduling that as well! Taking excellent care of your pet now will help them stay healthy and happy for years to come. When you're finished brushing your furry friends teeth, download our guide to see which toothpaste is right for you!