Best Bets For Pets

Listen to Episode #336 Now:

Transcript:

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Announcer: This is Pet Life Radio.

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Announcer: Let's talk pets.

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Michelle Fern: Hello, Pet Lovers.

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Michelle Fern: Welcome to Best Pets for Pets.

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Michelle Fern: I'm your show host, Michelle Fern.

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Michelle Fern: Okay, you know, going to the dentist is not my favorite thing, but I do it, along with all that dental stuff you have to do for people, right?

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Michelle Fern: And then for your dog and your cat, you have to do dental care as well.

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Michelle Fern: It's just as important, but brushing a dog's teeth is not easy.

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Michelle Fern: It's always a challenge.

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Michelle Fern: And brushing a cat's teeth, for me, it's kind of impossible.

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Michelle Fern: Maybe when you start them as kittens.

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Michelle Fern: But my guest and his hygienist developed a product for your dog and for your cat that brushes their teeth.

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Michelle Fern: It's incredible.

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Michelle Fern: So stay tuned.

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Michelle Fern: We'll be right back.

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Announcer: Take a bite out of your competition.

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Announcer: Let's Talk Pets on petliferadio.com.

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Michelle Fern: Welcome back, everyone.

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Michelle Fern: I'd like to welcome Dr.

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Michelle Fern: Allan Coopersmith, and also give credit to Natalie Fissett.

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Michelle Fern: So Dr.

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Michelle Fern: Allan Coopersmith is a dentist, but for people.

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Michelle Fern: And Natalie Fissett is a dental hygienist, for people.

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Michelle Fern: So the reason I say for people is because you both developed a product called ChewMate for dogs and for cats, but you're a dentist for people.

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Michelle Fern: So how did this come about?

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Michelle Fern: But before, I guess before we get into this, I'm assuming you have dogs and cats, right?

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Allan Coopersmith: That's correct.

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Allan Coopersmith: We have a dog.

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Michelle Fern: We have a dog.

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Michelle Fern: Okay.

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Michelle Fern: So why is it, as you know, a pet parent, you know, and as a dentist, you know, why is it so important that we take care of our fur babes' teeth?

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Michelle Fern: We don't have to get into people's teeth.

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Michelle Fern: If you guys don't know this by now, why you should take care of your teeth?

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Michelle Fern: This is not a show for that.

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Michelle Fern: You should know better.

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Michelle Fern: But let's talk about the fur babes.

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Michelle Fern: Why is it so important to take care of their teeth?

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Allan Coopersmith: Well, thank you, Michelle, for inviting me on to your podcast.

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Allan Coopersmith: And it's a real pleasure and an honor to be here.

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Allan Coopersmith: So it's so important to take care of your dog or cat's teeth, just as it is for your baby, for your humans and dogs and cats, our family.

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Allan Coopersmith: And it's really interesting to know that the exact same process that happens in humans also happens in dogs and cats.

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Allan Coopersmith: And it's the dental plaque that is the source of the infection.

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Allan Coopersmith: And when I say infection, what happens is the mouth and the heart and the rest of your body are all connected.

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Allan Coopersmith: And the bacteria that's inside the plaque gets through the inflamed gum tissue if you leave it there for a long time, both in dogs, cats and humans.

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Allan Coopersmith: And that bacteria ends up invading into the inflamed gum tissue, goes into the circulation and that spreads all over your body and it affects everything.

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Allan Coopersmith: So after 45 years of teaching and practicing dentistry, I can tell you that the most important thing that you can do for your dog or your cat's oral health and overall health and heart health is to brush its teeth.

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Allan Coopersmith: The problem is they hate to have their teeth brushed.

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Allan Coopersmith: And that's how we got into this business because we got a dog eight years ago.

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Allan Coopersmith: And we understand as being a dentist and a hygienist, we understand how important it is.

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Allan Coopersmith: So we're struggling with our dog when he was even a little puppy.

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Allan Coopersmith: And we were trying to brush his teeth and he hated it.

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Allan Coopersmith: So we figured there had to be a better way.

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Allan Coopersmith: That was our aha moment.

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Allan Coopersmith: And we spent three years of research and development in applying a technology that we used initially for humans and came out with a product for humans.

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Allan Coopersmith: And then we completely redesigned it and our focus because a dog and cat's teeth are a lot different, but the process is the same.

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Allan Coopersmith: And that's why we decided to make a toy that not only brushes but also flosses a dog or a cat's teeth as they chew and play.

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Michelle Fern: Okay, so let's go back a step.

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Michelle Fern: So a lot of people with dogs, and I say that with dogs, they probably take their dogs in for dental cleanings at the vet more than cats, although cats should be taken in too.

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Michelle Fern: And it is not like a people dentist, a human dental cleaning.

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Michelle Fern: It's not an inexpensive, let's check everything.

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Michelle Fern: It's a big deal, as you probably know, being a pet parent, no blood work because they have to go under anesthesia, gada, gada, gada.

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Michelle Fern: But besides the cleaning, you still have to keep their teeth cleaned on a regular basis.

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Michelle Fern: It's that kind of like related to people, you get your dental cleaning, but you still have to maintain between cleanings.

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Allan Coopersmith: It's exactly the same thing.

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Allan Coopersmith: But the more plaque you clean off, when it starts off, it's really creamy and mushy, and you can wipe it off very easily, even with your wiper or a finger or a toothbrush, which is the best thing to use.

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Allan Coopersmith: But what happens after time, it calcifies the salts from the saliva, calcify this plaque and make it really hard and fixes onto the teeth.

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Allan Coopersmith: And when it's that, when it forms into that tartar, then the dentist has to, or the vet has to remove it from the tooth.

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Allan Coopersmith: So if you get rid of it when it's soft, then you will never develop tartar and you'll never have to have a dental cleaning.

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Allan Coopersmith: We're talking about pets.

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Allan Coopersmith: For humans, they're much more cooperative.

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Allan Coopersmith: So it isn't a problem.

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Allan Coopersmith: We don't have to put the human to sleep every time we want it to clean its teeth.

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Michelle Fern: Right.

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Michelle Fern: So the hard plaque, that's when your dentist is scraping your teeth, like just really scraping.

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Allan Coopersmith: Exactly.

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Allan Coopersmith: That's called that hard plaque is called tartar.

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Michelle Fern: When we look at cleaning your pup's teeth, as you mentioned, it's always a challenge.

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Michelle Fern: I know for Mr.

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Michelle Fern: Z, who's now in Doggie Heaven, I started as a puppy.

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Michelle Fern: I used the finger thing, almost got my finger bit.

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Michelle Fern: Then as I would brush his teeth, he would try to lick the toothbrush.

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Michelle Fern: Did you experience this with your puppy?

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Allan Coopersmith: Yes, absolutely.

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Allan Coopersmith: You know, the best way to try and get to brush your dog's teeth is to start off when they're a puppy, make it fun.

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Allan Coopersmith: And after all, there are many things that we do when you think about it, that are difficult.

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Allan Coopersmith: I mean, we clip their nails, and because we know we just have to do it.

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Allan Coopersmith: So you just have to do it and you start off at like anything, teaching him, encouraging him, reinforcing good behavior.

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Allan Coopersmith: And eventually, if you really persist, you'll be able to do it.

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Allan Coopersmith: And if you can, it's the single best thing that you can do.

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Michelle Fern: Okay.

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Michelle Fern: Let's talk about the ChewMate.

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Michelle Fern: Now, you said you developed something for people first, then you went on for dogs.

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Allan Coopersmith: Right.

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Michelle Fern: So let's talk about how it works for dogs, because you have two really cool videos on your website that, I'm old school here, I should call them reals, right, or something, whatever they're calling them these days.

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Michelle Fern: But there are two videos, and it shows how it flosses and also how it brushes.

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Michelle Fern: It's always challenging on radio to give a visual, but I think you could do it.

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Allan Coopersmith: Sure.

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Allan Coopersmith: I would love to.

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Allan Coopersmith: So what makes our, it's actually called the TreatBrush, because it combines a treat with a toothbrush and a flosser and a treat dispenser, and you can fetch it and you can pull it and play with it, too.

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Allan Coopersmith: So the dogs can actually have a good time while they're brushing and flossing their teeth.

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Allan Coopersmith: But what makes our product unique and stand out over anything else, it has two components, which are on our website under how it works.

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Allan Coopersmith: And you can see real time how a dog's tooth, when it goes through what we call our little oblong slots, that we call them flaw slots, that they're dimensioned exactly to fit a dog's tooth.

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Allan Coopersmith: Unlike a human's tooth or any other's tooth, they have a specific form.

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Allan Coopersmith: And when the dog bites the Archie toy, then what happens is the dog's tooth penetrates through this flaw slot, and it's like a squeegee that cleans the tooth 360 degrees all around the tooth.

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Allan Coopersmith: And then they have these natural rubber bristles next to it, that when the dog's tooth misses the slot, then the rubber bristles actually clean and scrape the gums and the tongue, which also has to be cleaned as well.

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Michelle Fern: Okay.

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Michelle Fern: Thank you for explaining.

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Michelle Fern: So there's also a place in the ChewMate to put a treat.

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Allan Coopersmith: Exactly.

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Michelle Fern: So we'll talk about that in a minute because you can put a dental treat inside, and I have a question for that.

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Michelle Fern: But before we get to that, what makes ChewMate different than what else is out there?

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Michelle Fern: And not in talking about the dental treats, we're going to get to that after.

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Michelle Fern: That's my second question.

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Michelle Fern: But with what's out there?

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Michelle Fern: Because there are a lot of dental chew toys out there.

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Allan Coopersmith: There are absolutely.

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Michelle Fern: Mostly rope or some kind of string so that it goes in between the teeth.

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Allan Coopersmith: Right.

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Allan Coopersmith: There are a lot of toys, both plastic, rubber, natural rubber, and rope.

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Allan Coopersmith: And the trick is to find something that has a rough surface and has lots of little bumps on it.

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Allan Coopersmith: But most importantly, it's important to find a toy that no matter how the dog bites into it, it's going to clean its teeth.

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Allan Coopersmith: And our product is specifically designed that way to clean all around the either football shape or the bone shape, no matter how the dog bites, it's going to clean its teeth.

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Michelle Fern: And by football and bone shape, those are the two shapes you have of the ChewMate.

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Michelle Fern: A football shape and a bone shape.

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Allan Coopersmith: Correct.

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Allan Coopersmith: Okay.

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Michelle Fern: And then we'll ask about the cat in the next half.

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Michelle Fern: So now let's talk about the dental treat, because you recommend putting a treat inside to encourage the dog to chew on the ChewMate.

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Allan Coopersmith: There's a concept called multi-functionality.

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Allan Coopersmith: So why settle for something that only does one function?

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Allan Coopersmith: Once you're treating a dog, it may as well have some sort of what we classify as a nutraceutical effect.

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Allan Coopersmith: So something that will benefit the dog in an additional way rather than just give them a sticky substance, which is going to stick on its teeth and cause cavities rather than eliminate it.

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Allan Coopersmith: So there are treats out there.

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Allan Coopersmith: They do reduce the amount of plaque up to about 10 to 18% only, but it's still beneficial.

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Allan Coopersmith: So once you're giving them the treat, you may as well give them something that will benefit them.

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Allan Coopersmith: And we recommend that a dental treat.

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Michelle Fern: Okay, great.

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Michelle Fern: We're going to take a short break and we'll be right back.

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Announcer: Thanks for watching.

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Announcer: Let's Talk Pets.

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Announcer: Let's Talk Pets.

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Announcer: On Pet Life Radio.

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Allan Coopersmith: Pet Life Radio.

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Announcer: PetLifeRadio.com.

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Michelle Fern: Welcome back everyone.

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Michelle Fern: We're talking to Dr.

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Michelle Fern: Allan Coopersmith here and his partner, Natalie Fisett, who is a dental hygienist, created ChewMate.

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Michelle Fern: So, how would you advise getting your dog used to using ChewMate?

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Michelle Fern: Because, I mean, some dogs, they're into everything.

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Michelle Fern: They're, you know, they put the treat in, they're on it.

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Michelle Fern: And that's a lure.

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Michelle Fern: But some of them are just anything new, they're a little timid.

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Michelle Fern: And also, what sizes does the ChewMate come in?

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Allan Coopersmith: That's a great question.

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Allan Coopersmith: So, the bone, because they're scientifically designed, and they're designed to fit the appropriate size dog's teeth.

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Allan Coopersmith: So, all the measurements and all the size qualifications are written on the packaging.

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Allan Coopersmith: The bone is under 25 pounds for the small bone, for small dogs and puppies.

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Allan Coopersmith: The toys and the little guys, under 25 pounds.

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Allan Coopersmith: And over 25, it's pounds, then it's the large bone.

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Allan Coopersmith: And in the ball, we have three different size categories, under 20 pounds, 20 to 50, and over 50, because the anatomy of the mouth of the dog is different in different size dogs, and that's why we had to come up with three different sizes of footballs.

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Michelle Fern: Okay.

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Michelle Fern: What about durability?

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Allan Coopersmith: That's a great question.

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Allan Coopersmith: So, we have a choice.

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Allan Coopersmith: There's only two basic categories of materials that we can use for chew toys.

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Allan Coopersmith: Some are plastic, and some are natural rubber.

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Allan Coopersmith: The natural rubber tend to be the most durable that there are.

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Allan Coopersmith: And, you know, our logo has a tooth and a heart on it, because they're connected for life, the tooth and heart.

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Allan Coopersmith: And we always say we believe in the healthy mouth, the healthy heart, and also a healthy planet.

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Allan Coopersmith: So we really don't feel right supplying plastic, and that's why all our products are natural rubber wherever possible.

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Michelle Fern: Thanks.

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Michelle Fern: And I didn't forget, I did ask you something, and then I got so excited, I jumped to the durability question after you answered.

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Michelle Fern: What is a good way to get your dog used to using ChewMate?

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Allan Coopersmith: Same thing, same process, introducing any new toy to your dog.

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Allan Coopersmith: Make it fun, make it exciting, play with it a little bit.

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Allan Coopersmith: Most dogs will grab it and play with it immediately, even if you don't put the treat inside.

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Allan Coopersmith: But some dogs are a little more finicky, and they're a little older and they're less enthusiastic.

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Allan Coopersmith: So put in their favorite treat, whatever it is, make sure you put it right into the middle, because that's where you want them to bite, not so much at the ends.

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Allan Coopersmith: And present it to them, play with it, and they'll do the rest.

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Allan Coopersmith: They'll floss and brush their teeth all day long.

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Michelle Fern: Okay, thanks.

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Michelle Fern: Let's talk about cats, because at the time of our show, it's not out yet, but it is developed and going to be shipping by the time this show airs.

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Michelle Fern: So what made you decide?

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Michelle Fern: Well, probably I'm betting it's consumer demand, because there's a lot of dog owners out there, but we have more cats.

00:17:40.192 --> 00:17:47.412
Michelle Fern: So more people have dogs, but the number of cats is greater, because most people have two or more.

00:17:47.412 --> 00:17:48.492
Michelle Fern: I only have three.

00:17:48.492 --> 00:17:50.212
Michelle Fern: I've heard as many as 20.

00:17:50.212 --> 00:17:51.272
Michelle Fern: Three is plenty.

00:17:51.272 --> 00:17:55.952
Michelle Fern: But what made you decide, you know what, we really should do something for cats?

00:17:55.952 --> 00:17:57.772
Allan Coopersmith: There was really a need.

00:17:57.772 --> 00:18:05.272
Allan Coopersmith: Cats, you know, we were just at Super Zoo, and we had a terrific show.

00:18:06.312 --> 00:18:13.692
Allan Coopersmith: And we told people cat is where it's at, because cats are so neglected as far as oral hygiene.

00:18:13.732 --> 00:18:29.272
Allan Coopersmith: There's so few things out there, at least with dogs, you know, there's a lot of different products, enzymes and probiotics and wipes and treats and everything, but not so much for cats.

00:18:29.272 --> 00:18:47.312
Allan Coopersmith: So we studied the cat's dentition, like we did with the dogs, and we came up with a perfect solution, which is crisscross floss strands on the outside, cat will normally carry its prey by the tail.

00:18:47.312 --> 00:19:05.052
Allan Coopersmith: So we use the tail as the functional part of our toy, so that when the cat bites into it, it actually flosses its teeth all the way around, these teeny little pointy teeth, and it goes inside a little plush, which then cleans it even more.

00:19:05.052 --> 00:19:18.252
Allan Coopersmith: And it has a treat as well that you can put, there's also coming out now very soon, a cat's dental treat that you can put into this little basket as well.

00:19:18.252 --> 00:19:20.052
Michelle Fern: Oh, that's a great idea.

00:19:20.052 --> 00:19:23.392
Michelle Fern: Did you actually look in a cat's mouth and check?

00:19:23.392 --> 00:19:24.172
Allan Coopersmith: Oh, yes.

00:19:24.172 --> 00:19:25.052
Allan Coopersmith: You study.

00:19:25.052 --> 00:19:36.792
Michelle Fern: See, that's where my head went because I'm thinking how in the world, although one of my cats is chill, Dennis, I could possibly do that, but the other two I'd be clawed up for, it would be terrible.

00:19:36.792 --> 00:19:38.732
Michelle Fern: How did you manage to do that?

00:19:38.732 --> 00:19:40.332
Allan Coopersmith: Well, you just give them the cat.

00:19:43.612 --> 00:19:48.632
Allan Coopersmith: First of all, there's a lot of models out there now, a lot of virtual models too that you can study.

00:19:48.632 --> 00:19:59.552
Allan Coopersmith: You can actually go inside the mouth, look around and come back out again, but you actually have a specific tooth for every specific area of the cat's mouth.

00:19:59.552 --> 00:20:05.972
Allan Coopersmith: They have their incisors, they have their molars and three molars, just like dogs and humans.

00:20:05.972 --> 00:20:09.712
Michelle Fern: So you essentially used AI in a sense?

00:20:09.772 --> 00:20:16.752
Allan Coopersmith: Well, no, but we also have actual physical models that we use, as well as cats, because we did a lot of testing.

00:20:16.752 --> 00:20:26.332
Allan Coopersmith: And we have a lot of videos of cats who are playing with it and biting it and chewing it and holding it.

00:20:26.332 --> 00:20:30.272
Allan Coopersmith: And every time they do that, they clean their own teeth.

00:20:30.272 --> 00:20:34.912
Michelle Fern: One of my cats, Molly, loves to chew string, so I'm wondering if she's hinting.

00:20:34.912 --> 00:20:35.932
Allan Coopersmith: Yeah, no, for sure.

00:20:35.932 --> 00:20:37.272
Allan Coopersmith: She would be perfect.

00:20:37.272 --> 00:20:38.552
Allan Coopersmith: She would be perfect for it.

00:20:40.332 --> 00:20:46.152
Allan Coopersmith: And there's some cats, they have a condition called Pica where they actually chew a lot, they chew everything.

00:20:46.692 --> 00:20:49.552
Allan Coopersmith: They destroy things like aggressive dogs do.

00:20:49.552 --> 00:20:56.332
Michelle Fern: Yeah, I've cats that do other things, like forget there's a litter box, even though we have more than enough, but that's another story.

00:20:56.332 --> 00:21:04.312
Michelle Fern: So the other thing that makes me excited that you have a product for cats is cats are stoic creatures.

00:21:04.312 --> 00:21:14.272
Michelle Fern: I just went to the vet for one of my cats, and they were suggesting all kinds of things to do from X-rays.

00:21:14.752 --> 00:21:19.752
Michelle Fern: And anytime you do something, even an X-ray on your fur, babe, it's scary.

00:21:19.752 --> 00:21:24.032
Michelle Fern: But he also pointed out, you know, let's look at the mouth.

00:21:24.032 --> 00:21:26.612
Michelle Fern: And I thought, oh yeah, that's where it all starts.

00:21:26.612 --> 00:21:30.492
Michelle Fern: But given why it's important for cats is they're stoic creatures.

00:21:30.492 --> 00:21:39.012
Michelle Fern: So you don't often know there's a problem until you either physically see something, or it's almost to the point of no return.

00:21:39.012 --> 00:21:53.552
Allan Coopersmith: Michelle, that's such a smart statement that you made, because in fact, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over the age of two already have dental disease.

00:21:53.552 --> 00:21:58.612
Allan Coopersmith: And hardly none of the pet parents know about it.

00:21:58.812 --> 00:22:00.192
Allan Coopersmith: They don't even realize.

00:22:00.192 --> 00:22:01.012
Michelle Fern: I believe it.

00:22:01.012 --> 00:22:03.212
Michelle Fern: You have to be diligent on your dental care.

00:22:03.512 --> 00:22:10.272
Michelle Fern: Here's a question for you, because I could just imagine having done so many of these shows, what my listeners might say.

00:22:10.272 --> 00:22:19.012
Michelle Fern: What do you say to those people that, and I know you're a dentist for humans, but you've done clearly a lot of research on ChewMate.

00:22:19.012 --> 00:22:31.112
Michelle Fern: Some people out there like to give their dogs, and this might be old school thought, but hoofs or bones as a way to keep their dog's teeth, you know, nice and white and plaque free.

00:22:32.172 --> 00:22:36.252
Michelle Fern: What have you, in your research, did you come across this?

00:22:36.252 --> 00:22:39.332
Allan Coopersmith: And antlers and all sorts of stuff.

00:22:39.332 --> 00:22:39.852
Michelle Fern: Right.

00:22:39.852 --> 00:22:47.592
Allan Coopersmith: You know, you have to be really careful with those extra hard items because they break the dog's teeth.

00:22:47.592 --> 00:22:48.432
Michelle Fern: They do.

00:22:48.432 --> 00:22:49.372
Michelle Fern: I have to happen.

00:22:49.372 --> 00:22:51.332
Allan Coopersmith: Many, many times.

00:22:51.332 --> 00:23:02.612
Allan Coopersmith: And it's a terrible thing because the reason they're giving them something that strong is because they're usually aggressive chewers and they destroy most other chew toys.

00:23:02.612 --> 00:23:04.172
Allan Coopersmith: But there are chew toys today.

00:23:04.812 --> 00:23:05.932
Allan Coopersmith: Ours is pretty good.

00:23:05.932 --> 00:23:18.332
Allan Coopersmith: It's not really indicated for super aggressive dogs, but because we have to make the rubber soft enough so that when the dog's tooth penetrates, it doesn't break the tooth.

00:23:18.332 --> 00:23:21.112
Allan Coopersmith: So that's what we chose to do.

00:23:21.112 --> 00:23:30.332
Allan Coopersmith: But the hoofs and the antlers and things like that, although they have durability, they also have liability because it tends to break the dog's teeth.

00:23:30.332 --> 00:23:34.132
Michelle Fern: And I had that happen years ago and had to go.

00:23:34.132 --> 00:23:35.472
Michelle Fern: I lived in Los Angeles.

00:23:35.472 --> 00:23:38.132
Michelle Fern: The only doggy dentist was in Beverly Hills.

00:23:38.132 --> 00:23:39.592
Michelle Fern: Not going to tell you what it cost.

00:23:39.592 --> 00:23:40.992
Michelle Fern: So I learned my lesson.

00:23:40.992 --> 00:23:56.272
Allan Coopersmith: Well, we know the best way any pet parents not only treat for the health of the dog or the cat, but the best way to save money at the vet is brush the dog's teeth or give them a ChewMate, a TreatBrush by ChewMate.

00:23:56.852 --> 00:23:57.692
Allan Coopersmith: Do everything.

00:23:57.692 --> 00:23:59.492
Allan Coopersmith: It's a collaborative effect.

00:23:59.492 --> 00:24:01.692
Allan Coopersmith: Everybody has to work together.

00:24:01.692 --> 00:24:03.992
Allan Coopersmith: The pet parent has to do what they have to do.

00:24:03.992 --> 00:24:11.172
Allan Coopersmith: The vet and frequent vet visits are very important to catch things when they're small and can be fixed easily.

00:24:11.612 --> 00:24:18.832
Allan Coopersmith: The cooperation of everybody together and the knowledge of how to prevent it, that's the most important thing.

00:24:18.832 --> 00:24:19.992
Michelle Fern: Absolutely.

00:24:19.992 --> 00:24:23.972
Michelle Fern: Can you give us any hints on what you'd like to do for the future?

00:24:24.992 --> 00:24:26.752
Allan Coopersmith: Yes, actually.

00:24:26.752 --> 00:24:31.172
Allan Coopersmith: We have a lot of things in the planning, in the advanced planning stage.

00:24:31.172 --> 00:24:36.152
Allan Coopersmith: We have a new kind of toothbrush to brush the dog's teeth.

00:24:36.152 --> 00:24:53.812
Allan Coopersmith: We have partnerships with a bunch of treat companies, and we have a whole onslaught of products to make oral hygiene fun and easy, so that more people will actually dedicate themselves to providing it from the pet.

00:24:54.312 --> 00:25:03.092
Allan Coopersmith: Because the pet can't take care of their own teeth, we have to give them something so they can brush and floss their own teeth, rather than even trying to brush their teeth.

00:25:03.092 --> 00:25:21.172
Allan Coopersmith: So we have a lot of stuff coming out, and we're really excited because dental disease, although it's the most prevalent disease in the entire world affecting dogs and cats and humans, it is the most preventable with better oral hygiene.

00:25:21.532 --> 00:25:41.472
Allan Coopersmith: So if we can provide pet parents and vets with the latest in technology to make oral care easy, affordable and fun, more people will dedicate themselves to doing it, and it will be a better world for everybody.

00:25:41.472 --> 00:25:42.772
Michelle Fern: Exactly.

00:25:42.772 --> 00:25:45.112
Michelle Fern: So thank you for sharing all of that.

00:25:45.112 --> 00:25:59.212
Allan Coopersmith: The most important thing is the connection of them both with the rest of the body, the World Health Organization today, this year declared oral health to be the most important focus that they're going to be placing on.

00:25:59.212 --> 00:26:16.572
Allan Coopersmith: And when it's preventable and it is preventable, if pet parents participate, then it will really create a profound improvement in oral hygiene and the health and the longevity of the pet, because we all want our pets to live forever.

00:26:16.952 --> 00:26:18.152
Michelle Fern: Exactly.

00:26:18.152 --> 00:26:20.052
Michelle Fern: Where can people buy ChewMate?

00:26:20.052 --> 00:26:21.712
Allan Coopersmith: So a number of places.

00:26:21.712 --> 00:26:31.132
Allan Coopersmith: They can buy it on chewmate.com and hear more about our story and watch the actual mechanism of how it works.

00:26:31.132 --> 00:26:39.532
Allan Coopersmith: Very few people, I don't know of any other dental toy that actually shows in real time how effective it is.

00:26:39.532 --> 00:26:42.312
Allan Coopersmith: Everybody says it's effective, but we show it.

00:26:42.312 --> 00:26:51.212
Allan Coopersmith: And it's also on Amazon, and a lot of all of the other platforms, both pets and other platforms as well.

00:26:51.212 --> 00:26:52.392
Michelle Fern: Your website is great.

00:26:52.392 --> 00:26:54.372
Michelle Fern: You have the videos that show how it works.

00:26:54.372 --> 00:26:56.272
Michelle Fern: You have all the products that are there.

00:26:56.272 --> 00:27:01.792
Michelle Fern: You have a gorgeous picture of you and your hygienist.

00:27:01.792 --> 00:27:02.892
Allan Coopersmith: My hygienist wife.

00:27:02.892 --> 00:27:04.132
Michelle Fern: Right, Natalie.

00:27:04.132 --> 00:27:07.632
Michelle Fern: And I can't wait to see what comes up next.

00:27:07.632 --> 00:27:08.772
Michelle Fern: Dental care is important.

00:27:08.772 --> 00:27:13.012
Michelle Fern: If you don't like going to the dentist as a human, you need to go, you need to do your checkups.

00:27:13.352 --> 00:27:15.572
Michelle Fern: You need to do the same for your fur, babe.

00:27:15.572 --> 00:27:18.372
Michelle Fern: It's not the funnest thing, but we need to keep our teeth.

00:27:18.372 --> 00:27:23.112
Michelle Fern: And, you know, be a good pet parent, brush their teeth, you'll get ChewMate.

00:27:23.112 --> 00:27:25.332
Michelle Fern: Is there anything else you wanted to add, Dr.

00:27:25.332 --> 00:27:26.032
Michelle Fern: Allan?

00:27:26.032 --> 00:27:31.472
Allan Coopersmith: The only thing is that dental oral care can be fun, easy and affordable.

00:27:31.472 --> 00:27:34.652
Allan Coopersmith: And so more people will do it.

00:27:34.652 --> 00:27:40.792
Allan Coopersmith: And we encourage everybody really to concentrate because we love our pets.

00:27:41.032 --> 00:27:51.832
Allan Coopersmith: And the easiest, best, single thing that you can do for them is, if you're not going to brush their teeth, give them a ChewMate and watch them play and brush and floss all day long.

00:27:51.832 --> 00:27:52.672
Michelle Fern: Okay, great.

00:27:52.672 --> 00:27:54.072
Michelle Fern: Thank you so much.

00:27:54.072 --> 00:28:00.072
Michelle Fern: And thank you for thinking of the cats, because my favorite show is Catitude.

00:28:00.092 --> 00:28:05.892
Michelle Fern: It's not a product show, though, but you know what cats' mouths look like with those pointy teeth.

00:28:05.892 --> 00:28:09.432
Michelle Fern: I mean, you don't even have to come close sometimes to get nicked by them.

00:28:09.612 --> 00:28:12.052
Michelle Fern: And there's a lot of bacteria in their mouth.

00:28:12.072 --> 00:28:12.752
Allan Coopersmith: Exactly.

00:28:12.752 --> 00:28:14.252
Michelle Fern: Especially cats.

00:28:14.272 --> 00:28:15.092
Allan Coopersmith: Exactly.

00:28:15.092 --> 00:28:24.032
Michelle Fern: A slight little puncture can result in possibly your arm swelling up and getting amputated if you don't take care of things.

00:28:24.092 --> 00:28:27.132
Michelle Fern: It actually happened to a holistic groomer, almost.

00:28:27.132 --> 00:28:32.192
Allan Coopersmith: Yeah, there's something called cat scratch disease that people can get.

00:28:32.192 --> 00:28:42.772
Allan Coopersmith: But you mentioned groomer, and that's terrific, because when you bring your dog or cat to the groomer, ask the groomer, many groomers now are brushing the cat's or dog's teeth.

00:28:42.772 --> 00:28:46.552
Allan Coopersmith: And that's a great service to be able to provide.

00:28:46.552 --> 00:28:47.092
Michelle Fern: Right.

00:28:47.092 --> 00:28:50.572
Michelle Fern: But we want the pet parent to do it at home all the time.

00:28:50.572 --> 00:28:51.332
Allan Coopersmith: Absolutely.

00:28:51.332 --> 00:28:54.612
Michelle Fern: It is good for the groomer to do it if they can, you know.

00:28:54.612 --> 00:29:01.012
Michelle Fern: And even though, sorry, the dentist is not my favorite place, I get nervous, but I do it all.

00:29:01.012 --> 00:29:03.212
Michelle Fern: I have my boss, I have my water pig.

00:29:03.212 --> 00:29:04.452
Allan Coopersmith: You know what, they're all good.

00:29:04.732 --> 00:29:10.812
Allan Coopersmith: The most important thing that you can do as a human for your oral health is to clean between your teeth.

00:29:10.812 --> 00:29:11.272
Michelle Fern: Yes.

00:29:11.272 --> 00:29:15.712
Allan Coopersmith: That's where the worst bacteria hide, and that's the focus of infection.

00:29:15.712 --> 00:29:20.972
Allan Coopersmith: That's where the infection goes into your bloodstream, is from between your teeth.

00:29:20.972 --> 00:29:28.192
Michelle Fern: Trust me, I wish I had better oral hygiene as a kid, and I grind my teeth in my sleep, so I wear a night guard too.

00:29:28.192 --> 00:29:31.132
Michelle Fern: Something without helping, you don't know you're doing it.

00:29:31.132 --> 00:29:32.812
Michelle Fern: But I do the whole thing now.

00:29:33.392 --> 00:29:39.452
Michelle Fern: My partner wants me to find a waterpick that's quieter, because he said I was too noisy.

00:29:39.452 --> 00:29:41.332
Michelle Fern: So that's my next search.

00:29:41.332 --> 00:29:44.472
Michelle Fern: But thank you again so much for coming on Best Bets for Pets.

00:29:44.472 --> 00:29:48.332
Michelle Fern: I wish you amazing success, and I'm so sorry for your loss.

00:29:48.332 --> 00:29:52.852
Michelle Fern: Thank you for still continuing on with this, even though it's been a difficult day for you.

00:29:52.852 --> 00:29:53.872
Allan Coopersmith: Thank you so much.

00:29:53.872 --> 00:29:55.332
Allan Coopersmith: It was a pleasure.

00:29:55.332 --> 00:29:56.032
Michelle Fern: Wonderful.

00:29:56.032 --> 00:29:56.992
Michelle Fern: Thank you so much.

00:29:56.992 --> 00:29:58.812
Michelle Fern: Have a good rest of your day.

00:29:58.812 --> 00:30:00.032
Allan Coopersmith: Thank you, you too.

00:30:00.912 --> 00:30:01.712
Michelle Fern: Bye-bye.

00:30:01.712 --> 00:30:02.912
Michelle Fern: I want to thank Dr.

00:30:02.912 --> 00:30:12.712
Michelle Fern: Allan Coopersmith for coming on Best Bets for Pets and sharing such fantastic information on the ChewMate and on dental hygiene as well.

00:30:12.712 --> 00:30:21.672
Michelle Fern: And hey, as humans got a bonus, we learned a little bit for ourselves too, but also the importance of brushing your dog and cat's teeth, get a ChewMate.

00:30:21.672 --> 00:30:25.692
Michelle Fern: I am going to make sure my cat crew has a sampling.

00:30:26.152 --> 00:30:32.732
Michelle Fern: I did test out the dog ChewMate with my dog testers and they went crazy for it.

00:30:32.732 --> 00:30:36.312
Michelle Fern: And the owners noticed a difference after just a week.

00:30:36.312 --> 00:30:39.852
Michelle Fern: Some of you might notice a difference sooner, but I really recommend it.

00:30:39.852 --> 00:30:42.192
Michelle Fern: Very reasonably priced in my opinion.

00:30:42.192 --> 00:30:54.032
Michelle Fern: So please sure to check out getchewmate.com so you can get a ChewMate for your dog and make it easier for you to brush your dog's teeth and of course for your cats.

00:30:54.452 --> 00:30:57.772
Michelle Fern: I want to thank my cat crew, Dennis, Charlotte and Molly.

00:30:57.772 --> 00:31:01.392
Michelle Fern: They'll be soon testing the cat version at the time they're recording.

00:31:01.392 --> 00:31:07.292
Michelle Fern: It's not yet on the market, but it will be by the time our show is available for all you guys listening.

00:31:07.292 --> 00:31:10.312
Michelle Fern: I want to thank everyone that's listening to Best Bets for Pets.

00:31:10.312 --> 00:31:12.732
Michelle Fern: I so appreciate your listenership.

00:31:12.732 --> 00:31:18.552
Michelle Fern: This show has been rocking it for, let's see, whoa, 14 years.

00:31:18.552 --> 00:31:19.232
Michelle Fern: Wow.

00:31:19.232 --> 00:31:21.132
Michelle Fern: So thank you so much.

00:31:21.132 --> 00:31:28.392
Michelle Fern: And of course, this show wouldn't be near as fabulous to listen to without the magic of my producer, Mark Winter.

00:31:28.392 --> 00:31:29.552
Michelle Fern: Thank you, Mark.

00:31:29.552 --> 00:31:34.412
Michelle Fern: And hey, remember, you never know what we're going to have next on Best Bets for Pets.

00:31:34.412 --> 00:31:37.752
Announcer: Let's talk pets every week on demand.

00:31:37.752 --> 00:31:40.392
Announcer: Only on petliferadio.com.

 

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