Dental Health Do's and Dont's
You may have heard that 80% of dogs have periodontal disease by the age of two. But what does that mean and why does it matter?
What is dental disease?
Pet MD states that periodontal disease is an inflammation of some or all of a tooth’s deep supporting structures.
Why should you strive to keep your pet's mouth healthy?
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Dental disease is smelly for you, and painful for your pet.
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Bacteria under the gums can go directly to the heart, kidneys, and liver.
- As always, prevention is key to long and healthy life.
Do:
Desensitize To Having Their Mouths Handled
Most dogs won't love you sticking your hands in their mouths at first, but can easily get used to it. Practice rewarding them every time they let you go near their muzzle, then moving your fingers around their gums, introducing a toothbrush, and continuing to up the difficulty as such.
Check Their Teeth Often For Signs Of Tooth Decay Or Gum Disease
Once your dog allows you to look around their mouth, it's a great practice to check up on them regularly. You'll want to watch for any abnormalities like discolouration, smells, and moveable teeth. Come in any Friday or Saturday 10-4 for our healthcare hours and we can help show you what to look for!
Feed High Quality Food
Kibble is highly processed and filled with sugar, which is one big reason why we love the many alternatives like dehydrated, freeze dried, home-cooked, or raw!
Brush Their Teeth
Building a routine is the best way to remember, you can do it post-walk, or after you brush your teeth in the evenings! Once your dog gets used to it, it's a breeze.
Give High-Quality Chews Often And Consistently
Let your dog brush their own teeth with a nice hard chew. Bonus, it'll keep them occupied and mentally engaged!
Get Their Teeth Cleaned Regularly By A Certified Anesthesia-Free Dental Company Like K9 Gentle Dental
Imagine if you brushed your teeth every day but never saw a dentist. Only a professional can give your dog the thorough cleaning they need. Check out K9 Gentle Dental's website for some great information!
Don't:
Give Them Raw Hides
They are filled with chemicals and often get stuck in dogs throats. Go for a healthy alternative like freeze-dried chews, or a dehydrated skin.
Assume They Will Tell You When Their Teeth Hurt
They have a high drive to eat and will often ignore the pain.
Skip Bones Or Chews On A Raw Diet
Feeding raw is amazing! But it is mushy and soft, so your dog still needs to scrape that plaque off with something hard!
Give Them Human Toothpaste
Human toothpaste has so many chemicals, and is not meant to be swallowed by any animal.
Wait Until Their Teeth Require Vet Intervention
Prevention is cheaper, more effective, and overall more comfortable for your dog. Waiting for a tooth to be at the stage where it needs extraction means you're signing up to pay thousands of dollars down the line rather than buying some chews now.
