Your dog is a special member of your family. They ask for little and, in return, they are your devoted companion for life. So, of course, you want to make sure they are healthy and live a long, full life.
Most people are pretty good about taking their dog to the vet for annual checkups or when they’re sick but they don’t always remember to take care of their teeth.
In the wild, dogs chew raw bones and that removes the plaque from their teeth. It acts as a natural scraper and also removes the pieces of soft meat that might have gotten stuck on their teeth.
Of course, most dogs these days are not wild (as evidenced by their preferred spot on your sofa!) and cannot clean their teeth themselves. But family dogs still need dental care and you will have to help them with it. This is especially important because bacteria will grow in their mouths if it is not cleaned away. It even causes bad breath, decay, and ultimately other system issues, so this is something you will definitely want to take care of.
The best way to help your dog avoid dental problems is to have a consistent dental care routine. Start with brushing their teeth with toothpaste. Don’t use your toothpaste and toothbrush. There are special dog toothpaste and toothbrushes that are specifically designed for their mouth. You can buy these supplies easily in our online store.
Brush your dog’s teeth daily or, if that’s not possible, at least three or four times a week. Gently brush their teeth thoroughly and then massage their gums. This will help keep the blood in his gums circulating efficiently. Of course, give them a tasty treat afterward to help reward their good behavior, and soon, they’ll be looking forward to toothbrushing.
For good teeth health in dogs, it is better to buy small, hard food rather than soft food because it is less likely to get stuck between the dog’s teeth and turn into plaque.
Although not a good substitute for cleaning his teeth, the right food does help. Dog dental chews also help because they are dry and hard and will help to remove plaque. (We also have these in our online store – here are a few of our favorites!)
Bring your dog to see us regularly. With a dental exam, our veterinarians will be able to spot something you might have missed and give you advice on teeth cleaning and good foods to help keep bacteria and plaque away. We may suggest that a professional dental cleaning would be beneficial.
It’s always better to treat your dog’s teeth from early in their lives. If teeth are ignored, they will eventually have problems, and they might be more expensive to fix.
You and your family love your dog and want to give them the best possible life, so include care of their teeth and mouth in your routine to keep them healthy.
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