As pet owners, we take all the steps to keep our four-legged friends healthy and happy. However, oral health is one aspect that can often go unattended until it results in serious problems. Almost 80% of pups aged three and above are seen experiencing dental issues like gum diseases, bleeding gums, and tooth loss. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to keep your pet’s dental health and hygiene in optimal condition.
Let us discuss how you can take care of your beloved pooch’s mouth and teeth in simple ways.
1. Ensure regular teeth cleaning. Brushing the teeth regularly is the key to good oral health for pets as well. Just like us, pups’ teeth should be ideally brushed every day. Most animals get used to teeth cleaning over time. See that you use a dog-special toothbrush with soft bristles and angled handles to make it easy to reach the nooks and crevices in its mouth. You also need to get specialized toothpaste for your pup as human paste can be toxic and harmful. You can choose from attractive flavors for toothpaste – chicken, beef, and peanut butter to make brush time interesting for your pooch. If your pup is not so comfortable with brushing, you can use a dog mouth wash to clean its teeth and mouth easily.
2. Feed your dog the right food. A nutrition-rich, wholesome, and healthy diet is vital for your pet’s dental health as well. There are some foods that can get stuck to the pup’s teeth and give rise to bacteria and plaque. Nutritious, high-quality food will not only nourish the dog’s body but also strengthen its teeth. Try to include more fruits, vegetables, and meat in its daily diet and cut down on processed and unhealthy foods.
3. Get the right oral hygiene products. If you are looking for an effective way to clean the dog’s teeth, there are many products like dental sprays, dog mouth wash, and dog water additives available in the market. They are perfect for pets that hate brush time or don’t allow hands in their mouth. They kill the plaque-causing bacteria, eliminate and prevent tartar build-up and keep the pet’s mouth smelling fresh. Most of these products are easy to use and involve no fuss.
4. Give your pet some dental treats and chews. Chew toys are one of the best ways to keep pets entertained and busy. These toys not only satisfy their instinct of chewing but also help improve their oral health. Chewing is a natural way for pups to get their teeth cleaned as constant gnawing scrapes the plaque buildup. You can find chews and toys in a variety of materials like rubber, plastic, nylon, and rawhide. They come in various shapes and sizes to suit your pup’s needs and interests. You can also consider giving dental treats like chews, rawhide bones, and pig’s ears to help your pooch get rid of unwanted buildup in the mouth and strengthen its teeth.
5. Ensure regular oral health checks. Another effective way to maintain your furry friend’s oral health is to get regular cleanings from the veterinarian. Dogs need regular oral exams and teeth cleaning once a year to notice any dental issues and keep the teeth healthy. Veterinarians remove plaque from areas where the toothbrush can’t reach, scale and polish the teeth to get rid of any tartar, and fill or extract teeth when necessary.