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Examining and cleaning your dogs ears in between regular vet checkups is the first step in the prevention of canine ear infections and high vet bills.  Here is how to clean a dogs ears properly right at home.

1. Use an ear wash formulated for ear cleaning. It's important to never use undiluted peroxide on your pet's ears as it may cause burning.

2. Soak a cotton ball thoroughly in the ear wash. Squeeze out excess ear wash.

3. Place the cotton ball in your dog's ear and gently rub up and down.

4. Allow your dog to shake off excess moisture. This is important for preventing ear infections.

5. Soak the tip of a cotton swab in the ear wash and run it along the nooks and crannies of your dog's ears.

6. Avoid putting the swab down your dog's ear canal; leave this type of cleaning to the veterinary medical staff. If your dog has chronic ear infections, consult a veterinarian. Chronic ear infections could be a sign of allergies or other problems. If the ear canal looks abnormal, clean only the outside and consult a vet.

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Did you know that dental disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs and cats? Not only can dental disease be excruciating but also costly. Great news, dental disease can be reduced and prevented with some TLC. Like any health issue, prevention is key and knowledge is power. That is why it is so important to provide your pet with proper pet oral care both professionally and at home. As dogs age it is even more crucial to maintain that healthy smile. If you are a new pup or kitty parent it is important that you get your new fury bundle of joy use to having his teeth brush by starting their dental care at a young age. For those who have never brushed your pets teeth it is never to late to get your dog or cat on the road to a great smile. First step is a setting up an appointment for a  proper vet dental check-up and then having your vet speak to you about a regular at home oral care regime. There is no time like the present as we celebrate Feb. Pet Dental Month. Remember that if dental disease is left untreated it could lead to tooth loss, infection and much worse.  Here are a few dental diseases that you should be aware of.

Plaque: Dogs rarely get cavities, but are prone to gum disease and excess tartar build-up on the teeth. Food particles and bacteria collect along the gumline forming plaque. Routine home care 2-3x's per week can remove this plaque.

Tartar: If plaque is not removed, minerals in the saliva combine with the plaque and form tartar (or calculus) which adheres strongly to the teeth. Plaque starts to mineralize 3-5 days after it forms. The tartar is irritating to the gums and causes an  inflammation known as gingivitis. This can be seen as reddening of the gums adjacent to the teeth. It also causes bad breath. At this point it is necessary to make an appointment with your vet in order to remove the tartar with special instruments called scalers, and then polish the teeth.

Periodontal Disease: If the tartar is not removed, it builds up under the gums. It separates the gums from the teeth to form "pockets" and encourages even more bacterial growth. At this point the damage is irreversible, and called "periodontal" disease. It can be very painful and can lead to loose teeth, abscesses, and bone loss or infection. As bacterial growth continues to increase, the bacteria may enter the bloodstream. This can cause infection of the heart valves (endocarditis),liver, and kidneys. If treated by your veterinarian with special instruments and procedures, periodontal disease can be slowed or stopped.

So paw pals let get brushin'!

Love is in the air this Valentines Day, but so is bad breath. So pups if you are thinking about puckering up at the kissing booth, think again, it time to press the pause button for a second. Don't forget to pop in a bark-mint and brush those pearly whites. Canines beware of the bad breath police hounds on patrol, you don't want to get an embarrassing citation for poor dental hygiene.

Make sure your breath is oh so fresh and clean by brushing 2-3'x per week. Not only will this be a good hit with the ladies & gentlemen but your over health will be improved as well. Here are some tips to make teeth brushing a breeze. The first step of course is to purchase doggy specific toothpaste (comes in many dog-licious flavors) and a toothbrush at your local pet store.

1. Start  with small puppy steps by placing a small amount of toothpaste on your finger and allowing your dog to lick it off. This is the part your dog will love.

2. Next, apply another small dab of toothpaste to your finger. Sit beside your dog or straddle him from behind. Cup the top of his muzzle in your hand and gently pull back on the lips. Making sure you praise his or her good behavior.

3. Place your finger on the surface of one of your dog's front teeth and gum. Massage gently in a circular motion. Your dog will probably be licking at your finger as you do this but that's okay; he's getting used to having his tooth & gums massaged.

4. Introduce him to the toothbrush. Allow him to sniff or lick at the brush (sorry pups this is not a chew toy). Place some toothpaste on the brush and allow him to lick it off. Be patient and take as much time as your dog needs to become familiar with the brush.

5. Position the brush against his tooth (whichever tooth is easier to reach and he is most comfortable with) and move it gently in a circular motion.

6. Repeat the above steps for several days, until your dog is completely comfortable with the ritual.

7. Wet the toothbrush and apply a small amount of toothpaste to it. Sit beside or straddle your dog and gently pull back the lips. Begin by brushing the outside tooth surfaces (closest to the lip) of the fangs. Brush gently, in a circular motion, concentrating on the gum line. Spend at least five seconds on each tooth.

8. Move on to the first large teeth in the back of the mouth on each side. Brush gently, in a circular motion, as you did with the fangs. Once your dog and you are comfortable with brushing the fangs and back teeth, you can expand your efforts to include the outer surfaces of the other teeth.

9. Reward your dog with a bully stick, chew or treat!

We love finding funny & adorable pet video's on the web. This French Bulldog has quite the barking personality and who can resist such an adorable face.

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