When we have our pet’s teeth cleaned, it's because we want to do the very best for them. We want a healthy pet that lives a long and happy life. You might have heard of anesthesia-free dental cleanings at pet stores, a groomer, or even some veterinary professionals. This is a service that is often less expensive and is seen as a risk-free alternative that improves our pet’s dental health. We in the veterinary field refer to this as "non-anesthesia dental scaling" and, quite frankly, we find it to be an unsafe dental procedure.

We've all seen it. You're running along and the person coming at you with the gorgeous Golden Retriever has just hit her most glorious stride, and her dog stops to go to the bathroom. She's jolted backward and her face goes red, but you're not sure if it's because she's furious with her pooch or embarrassed to pick up her dog's excrement. Ahh, the joys of running with a dog. Sarcasm aside, running with your dog can be a truly wonderful experience, but a lot must go into preparing for your outing.

Cats are becoming a favorite pet for Americans, catching up to the long standing favorite dogs. They cuddle on our lap, purr and soothe us when we are tired or sad, provide hours of hilarious antics, and still maintain an aloof demeanor to remind us we are not always the boss of everything. Yet, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, as much as Americans love their cats, barely half of them ever make it in for regular health care. They remain unprotected against contagious diseases, parasites, aging and inherited illness.