Caring for your dog's teeth is essential to maintain their good he alth, although it is often ignored that dogs also require this type of care. At our site we know that establishing an oral hygiene routine for your furry friend is essential, not only to prevent discomfort such as bad breath and chipped teeth, but also to protect it against serious diseases. That is why we present you with these tips to take care of your dog's teeth, because a he althy dog is a happy dog.
Why take care of your dog's teeth?
Just like it happens with humans, your dog's teeth deteriorate over time if they don't receive the necessary care, which leads to the appearance of bad breath, plaque and tartar, plus you run the risk of chipping your dog's teeth or developing some infections, such as gingivitis and periodontitis. These diseases cause discomfort and aggressiveness in your furry friend, as well as putting his life at risk.
Surely you are wondering why dogs need to take care of their teeth if, in theory, they are animals capable of living in the wild. However, you must bear in mind that this was the case in the past, when a diet based on raw meat, bone and cartilage kept the dog's teeth he althy and strong, while with domestication and the foods you offer at home, other problems.
Usually, the medium, large and giant dog begins to suffer from tartar and plaque from 3 years of age, while the can toy or small usually begins to develop earlier. In any of the cases, implementing an early hygiene routine is crucial to avoid this type of inconvenience.
Maintaining the dog's dental hygiene
You have different options to take care of your dog's teeth, and it is necessary to use more than one to achieve proper hygiene and thus take care of your dog's teeth:
- Quality food Good quality dry dog food is one of your best options for caring for your dog's teeth, as it being crunchy and of a certain size it does not get stuck in the teeth or stick to the gums. In addition, the ingredients strengthen the teeth and promote their growth. Do not miss our article in which we detail the best feed for dogs.
- He althy diet. Avoid excess carbohydrates and never give your dog human treats, as they not only make him sick but also get stuck in his teeth.
- Bones. Give your dog bones and cartilage only from cows and always raw, this not only makes his teeth stronger but also cleans his gums.
- Brushed. There are toothbrushes and toothpastes for dogs that you should include in your hygiene routine.
- Toys. Some dog toys are designed to work like toothpaste, while others help remove anything that gets stuck in the mouth.
- Vet Visits. Once or twice a year make an appointment with your veterinarian to check your dog's teeth.
Creating habits
No dog, in principle, will like it when you try to put your fingers in its mouth, therein lies the importance of Getting your dog used to the brushing routine from puppyhoodYour puppy's teeth won't fully appear until around 6 to 8 months, but brush training can start earlier.
From a young age and for about 5 minutes every day, try to get your puppy used to handling his mouth, gently inserting your fingers and gently rubbing his teeth. It will annoy you, but soon it will feel normal.
When the denture is complete, you can start with a soft bristle toothbrush. If your dog is already an adult, it will take a little longer to get used to this, but don't give up and be patient.
General recommendations for caring for your dog's teeth
In addition to the above tips for caring for your dog's teeth, we advise you to take into account the following recommendations:
- Always use a soft bristle brush made for dogs. Remember to change it when necessary.
- Never use human toothpaste, as the high fluoride content is toxic to your dog. Get the ones formulated for dogs at any pet store.
- Brush your dog's teeth once a week, always after he has played or finished eating
- Add raw apples and carrots to your diet, as they help clean teeth. More information in our article on recommended fruits and vegetables for dogs.
- Cleaning toys must be made of nylon or natural rubber; make sure they are not too hard if your dog is still a puppy.
- Prevent your dog from chewing shoes or other household objects, as they wear down his teeth.
- Once a week, check your dog's mouth for tartar, cavities, wounds, or any other abnormal signs.
