According to the AVMA, Dr. Brook Niemiec, veterinary expert on pet dental health, says that by the age of two, three out of every four dogs and cats will develop a form of periodontal disease – infections which have been linked to diabetes, heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease.
The AVMA suggests awareness is nowhere near where it should be. According to Dr. Larry Coyer, president of the AVMA, “Most people have no idea that dental health is so important to their pets… In fact, veterinarians report that periodontal disease is the most commonly diagnosed problem in dogs and cats.”
This general lack of awareness creates a great opportunity for nutrition companies to boost business – not just in February during Pet Dental Health month, but all year long. Here are some ways to make this happen:
12-Month Strategy
Yes, February is officially Pet Dental Health month. But that doesn’t mean it’s the only time of year to focus on it. Make it part of a year-long education strategy. Make it a point to call it out in your monthly mailings. Highlight products. Discuss new advances. Because after all, people want their pets to be healthy every day. Not just one month out of the year.
Blog
Encourage pet owners to share how they care for their pets’ health. Do they regularly brush the teeth of their pets? Do they get regular checkups? What other dental hygiene products do they use? Open dialogue like this is an informal, informative way to build trust with customers.
Twitter
Embrace the technology that’s out there. Tweet about a new product that will improve the long-term dental health of pets. Link to dental health news articles. Tweet a dental health tip of the day.
Email
Continue to send out emails as a part of an overall dental health marketing strategy. Reference other social networking avenues – blog, Twitter – in the email and drive customers to interact at an even deeper level. Keep it up all year and become a trusted voice in the minds of customers – a voice that cares for the well-being of their pets.
