Your dog’s oral hygiene is important too!
Believe it or not, a dog’s dental care is usually neglected by so many owners. And that’s a huge warning sign! Bad oral hygiene might lead to serious, life-threatening conditions that can affect your pooch’s heart, liver, and kidneys. Especially if your dog is prone to dental disease because of its breed!
To avoid this situation and end up paying more money for vets because the dog’s teeth are deteriorating, start early! The good news is that this cleaning routine is pretty simple and easy to include in your schedule, even if you’re a busy owner.
If you want to have a pooch with pearly-sparkling teeth, follow these tips that are 100% verified by top-notch vets! One, two, three, grab the toothbrush, and let’s start!
1. Talk about dental food with your vet
One of the first golden rules for keeping your dog’s teeth healthy is to feed it accordingly with the right type of food. But how am I supposed to know which is suitable and which isn’t, you may ask? Well, a few famous dog food companies produce dental foods that are 100% efficient to help the pet reduce its dental issues, but most of them aren’t available in regular pet shops. And you might need a medical prescription from your vet to buy them.
This type of food might be more expensive compared to others but for a reason. So, even if you pay more for your dog’s food, you will see the difference in just a couple of months. Next time you go to your vet for the usual check-up, don’t forget to ask about what food is suitable for your dog’s teeth!
2. Chewing toys for perfect teeth!
Dogs adore chewing on things like shoes, socks, and chair legs. All of them are huge temptations. Dogs of all ages use their teeth to explore their surroundings, and that’s perfectly normal. But what can we do if we want to keep our stuff intact but also make sure our dog’s teeth are in top shape?
Chewing toys are one of the most effective ways to keep your dog engaged and entertained. By giving dogs a chew toy, you can satisfy their natural urge for gnawing, keep them occupied, and support the condition of their teeth.
Gnawing, for example, helps puppies soothe their teeth’s pain. And on the other hand, for the adult dog, gnawing keeps its mental muscles strong and stimulated. Furthermore, even if it may be annoying for humans sometimes, chewing is probably the best and most natural way to clean the dog’s teeth and help them get rid of the ugly plaque. Lucky fellows!
But be careful what toys you buy for your dog! Vets recommend only those made of soft rubber, nylon, plastic, or rawhide. I suggest you change its toys once in a while so it won’t get bored easily. Keep your dog playful, entertained, and happy!
3. Brush your dog’s teeth only with special canine toothpaste
Dental brushing is the foundation of good and healthy oral hygiene. And for that to happen, it is very important (or ideal) to brush your dog’s teeth daily. When this is not possible, try to stick to at least one rigorous brushing per week. If your dog is young, it will be much easier to make it tolerate the brushing process.
I remember my furry pooch Dolly being pretty stubborn in the beginning, and she didn’t want me to brush her teeth, cut her nails, or clean her ears, but after a couple of weeks, she was super excited and eager to have her teeth brushed.
Don’t forget that you must use a special canine toothpaste for the process, and the good thing is that most of them are flavored to suit a dog’s taste buds. Cool, right? Peanut, butter, beef, and chicken are among the most popular flavors. Now, I am curious to find out your dog’s favorite! Tell me in the comments section below.
If you’ve never done this before, don’t fret because the process is the same as brushing your teeth. Grab the toothbrush, apply a soft layer of toothpaste to it, and then start brushing your dog’s teeth. Gently but also rigorously in the back of the mouth. After you’ve finished brushing, you don’t have to rinse the toothpaste out of your dog’s mouth.
If your dog is a tad aggressive or you’re afraid it might bite you, try another method from the list to take care of its teeth.
4. Dental spray: an aid to stinky breath
Sometimes a funky smell from your dog’s mouth can make us push them away. But there is a solution to this problem besides brushing your dog’s teeth every day or once a week. In a lot of pet stores, you can find a dog dental spray, which is one of the easiest things to do to freshen up your pooch’s mouth.
These types of sprays help dogs’ teeth and remove plaque and bacteria pretty efficiently. And it’s easy to use! Simply spritz on the teeth and gums of your doggo and that’s it! This product was made especially for those dogs who have too much energy and can’t stay put too long in the same place, or who hate brushing their teeth.
If this still doesn’t work, trick your dog by spraying its toys. By doing this, you will make sure the liquid will be licked in an instant.
Small tip: Your dog must stay away from eating for half an hour before and after using the dental spray for optimal results.
5. Try a dental water additive
For dogs, there are a variety of water additives that all function quite similarly. There is no flavor to these oral medications. According to the bottle’s instructions, you should add a specific quantity of water additive to your dog’s water bowl every day. The remedy eliminates plaque-forming bacteria in your dog’s mouth while also helping to freshen their breath.
6. Did someone say dental treats? Woof-woof!
Make sure the dental chews or treats you choose for your dog are stamped with the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s Seal of Acceptance on the package because it means that the item helps in preventing tartar accumulation. One of the first examples that come to my mind is the OraVet chewable treat, which is administered once daily.
These chews lessen the accumulation of plaque and tartar on a dog’s teeth and establish a barrier that prevents microorganisms from sticking to the surface and forming tartar. The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Dental Chewz, which should only be given occasionally as treats, also significantly minimizes tartar formation.
7. Don’t neglect regular dental cleanings
No matter how hard you try to help your furry friend at home by using at least one of the tips we’ve mentioned above, an essential way to protect your dog’s oral hygiene is through professional cleanings with your vet. They are skilled enough to know what to do in case there is a deeper issue with the dog’s teeth because sometimes it might be something that we haven’t noticed.
Your dog’s mouth will need to be cleaned when there is enough tartar and gingivitis, which is when your veterinarian will advise a procedure called dental prophylaxis. To effectively remove all the tartar from your dog’s teeth and the layer of tartar under the gumline, a veterinarian will need to put your dog under general anesthesia. So don’t worry; your pooch won’t feel any pain.
Depending on the type of dog and how much dental attention they receive at home, some dogs require cleanings every year, while others only need them every few years. After all this effort, trust me, your dog’s teeth will thank you for it!
You may also be interested in 7 Weird Myths About Spaying or Neutering Your Dog DEBUNKED.
