>> Rachel: We hope you’re meowing for more,  (SFX MEOW) because it’s time for Chompers, your morning and night toothbrushing show. 

It’s Pets Weekand tonight we’ve got the answer to the quiz from this morning. 

Start brushing on the top of your mouth on one side, and brush the inside, outside and chewing side of each tooth. 

>> KIDS: 3, 2, 1 brush!

>> Rachel: Our question was: 

Which of these animals is NOT a type of dog? (SFX BARK BARK)

Is it 

An Alaskan Malamute 

A Maine Coon

Or 

A Bichon Frisé

Ready for the answer? Give me a drumroll by stomping your hooves (SFX NEIGH) I mean your paws, I mean your feet! (SFX DRUMROLL)

The answer is… A MAINE COON (SFX MAINE COON) 

Maine coons are a type of cat! 

Switch your brushing to the other side of the top of your mouth, and give your tongue a brush too!

The Maine Coon is a type of domesticated cat.(SFX MEOW)  Remember, domesticated means an animal that lives on a farm, or that humans keep as a pet. And Maine Coons are one of the BIGGEST types of domesticated cats. They can weigh up to 18 pounds! That’s heavier than a bowling ball! (SFX BOWLING PINS CRASH)

Switch your brushing to the bottom of your mouth, and brush the molars in the way back too. 

Maine Coons are also known for having thick, fluffy coats and are SO BIG that they are sometimes confused for their bigger cousins, the wild bobcat (SFX BOBCAT). 

Both Maine Coons and Bobcats are FELINES … so they’re cat-like animals.  But bobcats don’t live with humans … they are NOT domesticated.  They’re wild animals.  Other felines that you find in the wild include Jaguars, Panthers and Cheetahs (SFX). 

Switch to the other side of the bottom of your mouth, but don’t brush too hard 

You should always ask a grown up before getting close to an animal you don’t know, ESPECIALLY when you’re out in nature. Because even though the kitties and pups we live with are friendly, not all animals make good pets. Wild animals aren’t used to being around humans, and usually they like to be left alone. 

That’s it for Chompers tonight, but we’ll be back with more purrr-fect pets tomorrow. Until then, rinse with water before you   

>> KIDS: 3, 2, 1 spit!