Enter our Valentine's Day Photo Contest!

Valentine’s Day is coming! To celebrate, email us a picture of your pet and tell us what you love about them. 6 lucky winners will receive a $10 gift certificate to our hospital, and a spot on our Valentine’s Day cover photo!

How To Enter:

Email your pet's photo to socialmedia@rauanimalhospital.com to be entered into the Valentine's Day Photo Contest, and we will post your photo to an album on our Facebook page. Contest participants, friends, family, and the general public will be invited to vote for their favorite pet photo.

Be sure to share your pet's photo on your Facebook page, after we post it, to encourage your friends and family to boost your pet's votes. 

6 lucky winners will receive a $10 gift certificate to our hospital, and a spot on our Valentine’s Day cover photo!

Contest Rules:

1. Email your pet's photo to socialmedia@rauanimalhospital.com

2. Please put "Valentine's Day Photo Contest" in the subject line of the email.

3. Don't forget to include your pet's name and (at least) one thing that you love about your pet.

4. Encourage your friends and family to "like" your pet's photo.

5. Photo submissions and voting will run until February 13, 2015 (11:59pm EST) and winners will be announced on Valentine's Day!

Pet Dental Health Month: 3 Fast Facts

February is National Pet Dental Health Month. At Rau Animal Hospital, we’re celebrating by providing pet parents everywhere with educational tips on keeping their pet’s mouth healthy. Join in on our celebration by finding out a few fast facts to keep your furry friend’s chompers pearly white!

1. By the age of 3, 70-85% of companion animals have periodontal disease. (Source: American Veterinary Dentistry College.) Periodontal disease is an infection caused by bacteria in the mouth forming a substance called plaque that sticks to the surface of the teeth. Periodontal disease is the most common disease of all diseases in cats and dogs.

2. “Doggie Breath” is NOT normal. Foul-smelling breath in pets is usually an indication of dental disease. In fact, there are several signs of dental disease in pets:

• Halitosis (bad breath)

• Difficulty chewing

• Excessive drooling (with or without blood)

• Bleeding or red gums

• "Talking" or making noises when a dog eats or yawns

3. Prevention is key! The best way to keep your pet’s teeth clean and free of disease is to brush! However, introducing your pet to tooth brushing can be a tricky, yet doable process - all it takes is a little consistency and patience! 

Start brushing today! Give us a call, or stop in today for a free sample of toothpaste. Know what’s great about the toothpaste we recommend? Dap a little on your pet’s teeth, and it will start killing bacteria in your pet’s mouth…WITHOUT brushing! This is a great way to begin the brushing process for you and your pet. Just remember - It is NEVER okay to brush your pet’s teeth with human toothpaste. Stick with a pet-approved toothpaste to avoid stomach irrigation, as many human toothpastes are sweetened with xylitol, a sugar substitute also found in most sugar-free gum and toxic to pets.

Throughout the month of February, Rau Animal Hospital is celebrating National Pet Dental Health Month with complimentary oral exams. Unsure if your pet needs a dental cleaning, or if your pet’s teeth and gums are healthy? Give us a call us at (215) 884-0453 to schedule your complimentary oral exam with one of our experienced technicians. You can also stop by one of our free monthly dental seminars to learn toothbrushing techniques and other helpful dental care information.