One significant area where you can fall behind in caring your dog is their teeth. If your dog belongs to a particular breed vulnerable to dental diseases –for instance all small-breed dogs and Greyhounds are particularly susceptible to dental issues – you must offer them several types of dental care at home. It is applicable in situations where your dog has suffered dental problems earlier.
It is significant that you have to take them regularly to the vet’s office for proper inspection of your dog's teeth. Dental health is crucial for your dog's well-being. Hence, their teeth should be cleaned properly. As such, there are some ways that you should know to take better care of your dog’s teeth and mouth.
It would help do away with bad breath as well.
Brushing their teeth with canine toothpaste
Some dogs enjoy the prospect of having their teeth brushed. Their toothpastes are specifically formulated in a way that it suits their taste buds.
- chicken
- beef
- peanut butter
However, if your dog is allergic to food, you must be cautious while selecting the toothpaste flavors. If your dog can sit still for a couple of minutes and is motivated by food, they would do well with regards to brushing their teeth.
In larger dog breeds, you can use a regular toothbrush meant for humans. If you have a small dog, it would be better to use a fingertip brush or baby brush. These days, you also get toothbrushing kits for dogs that come with toothpaste, a fingertip brush, and a regular brush, such as Virbac C.E.T Oral Hygiene Kit for dogs.
Remember that brushing their teeth is just like brushing yours. Just wet the brush and apply a layer of paste on it – after that, start brushing. Your furball might not let you brush the interiors of their teeth, but that is fine. It is not as if you have to rinse off the paste after you have cleaned their mouth. Try and brush their teeth on at least 2-3 occasions a week.
However, if your dog enjoys the process and when you have the time, you should do this daily as that would be better than the earlier mentioned frequency. In case you are concerned that your dog might bite you when you try to brush their teeth, you shouldn't do it. There are some other options that you can try in such cases.
Adding dental powder to their food
You have several products used, such as
VetriScience Perio Support. These are flavored dental powders spread on top of
your dog’s food. They contain probiotics that help with the promotion of
healthy bacteria in your dog’s mouth, and at the same time they kill the
bacteria that build plaque in their teeth. Make sure you apply the powder to every
meal they eat, as it would help freshen up their breath.
It would also ensure plaque and tartar do not build
up on their teeth.
Trying dental water additives
You have different water additives for dogs these
days. All of them function in just about the same way. These are tasteless oral
solutions that we are talking about over here. You need to work according to
the directions provided on the bottle. Add the specified amount of water
additive to their water bowl daily. The solution would assist with the
freshening up of your dog’s breath and kill bacteria that build plaque in their
mouths.
Checking their teeth regularly
Whenever we humans develop any disease, we feel
pain, and we show it as well. The thing with dogs is that they would not show any
pain no matter how chronic it happens to be. They were once pack animals and
lived in the wild. As such, they are predisposed to hiding their pain. Because
they consider such an action a weakness and vulnerability. If you wait around
for your dog to show signs of dental diseases or even start whining, it could
be harmful for them.
There are other ways to ensure your dog has
exceptional dental and oral health.
Starting regular dental checkups
Just as is the case with humans, you need to get
the teeth of your dog checked regularly by a doctor. It will help identify
potential problems in these cases and ensure that their gums and teeth are
healthy at all time. The doctor can examine their teeth and recommend if any
treatment needs to be done or not. It includes the likes of teeth extractions
and cleaning.
Using chew toys
Chew toys are a great option, when it comes to
taking proper care of the teeth and mouth of your dog. You can be sure that
they would keep them in tip-top condition. These are entertaining for your dog,
but apart from that, they help clean their teeth because of the friction that
occurs due to excessive chewing. It also stimulates their saliva production –
it has antibacterial properties and keeps their breath fresh.
Using dog tooth wipes
If you cannot brush your dog’s teeth for some
reason or other, you can try using tooth wipes.
It is applicable to dog parents who want to switch
the techniques they use to taking care of their babies' teeth. In both these
cases, such products are a great solution. Tooth wipes are developed in a way
that you can rub them against your dog’s teeth and remove the plaques. They
work just the way toothbrushes do, but unlike them, they cannot get into the
nooks and crannies of their teeth. Nonetheless, they are a great way to clean
your dog’s teeth.
Taking the breath test
If your dog has bad breath, it is a clear sign that
they are suffering from an oral disease. It is natural if your dog’s breath
does not smell great, but if it is overwhelmingly bad, it may be because of
reasons, like tooth decay or periodontal diseases.
To keep your dog teeth healthy in a more natural way, you must choose from high quality food. For snacks, choose fruits and veggies for them. You can even choose dried meat treats for your dog as dental chews. Prepare a proper dental routine and scrub their teeth every week.
Conclusion
As far as dogs are concerned, chewing bones is a common habit. It is said that bones are dentists of nature. They mimic what your dog would have done if they were still wild animals like their ancestors. It does not mean that this is an immensely healthy habit. In fact, in most cases, it is just the opposite. If they have too many bones, it can be bad for them. The same goes for the wrong kind of bones. Then you have the choking hazards that are associated with bones in general. So, together these can nullify several benefits your dog gets from chewing bones.
However, this is something that you must encourage your dog to do more often than not. Bones also provide your dog with mental stimulation they need to stay busy. You can also ask them about prescription dental food in these cases.
FAQs
What is an ideal dental routine for my dog?
Try to make sure that you are brushing their teeth at least two to three times a week. However, if your dog enjoys it and you have time, you must brush their teeth every day, as that would be so much better!
Will coconut oil remove tartar from a dog’s teeth?
Coconut oil is supposed to be safe for dogs’ consumption, and there is also a possibility that it could reduce the build-up of tartar and plaque on their teeth.
What is the best way to prevent dental diseases in dogs?
The most effective way to go about this is to brush their teeth. It is especially true for preventing periodontal diseases that they suffer from.
How do I clean my dog’s teeth naturally?
You can start by feeding them dog food of the highest possible quality. You can give them fruits and vegetables for snacks. Try using dried meats as dental chews.
Do carrots clean a dog’s teeth?
The way your dog has to chew carrots helps them clean their gums and teeth by removing any food that may be stuck in their mouths. It also helps with clearing plaque from the surfaces of their teeth.
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