Friday 24 February 2012

Oral Care for Your Dog

Dogs need

Monitoring Your Dog’s Dental Health


A lot of dog owners don't know that dogs teeth need to be checked and kept healthy. Most people just assume that dogs bad breath is normal. Catching teeth problems early will help avoid severe dental disease. The best and easiest way to keep track of your dog’s teeth is to look at them on a regular basis and check for signs that may indicate a problem. Some signs that your dogs teeth may need professional cleaning or a vet trip are:

  • ~ Bad breath
  • ~ Reluctance to chew / crying out when chewing
  • ~ Salivating from the mouth more often than usual
  • ~ Bleeding gums
  • ~ Tartar Build Up
  • ~ Red and/or puffy gums
If Plaque builds up on the teeth and turns into tartar there is a serious risk of Dental Disease. When the bacteria is allowed to grow it eats away at the teeth and gums. If this happens your dog might get such things as: Halitosis, periodontal disease, oral pain and tooth loss. The bacteria not only causes disease in the mouth – they can also affect the heart and kidneys. Preventing Dental Disease in Dogs is very important and can be achieved many ways. Here are a few steps:

~ Use special enzymatic toothpaste made especially for dogs. Do not use human toothpaste as it can make your dog very ill.

~ Daily brushing is recommended. Use a “finger brush” or special long toothbrush designed for use on dogs. When introducing your dog to tooth brushings, the finger brush is a great way to start as it feels less awkward for them as brushes can.

 ~ Having your dog chew on raw bones or tough raw meats such as pigs legs. It's great for the                  "flossing" effect. Try to avoid giving marrow bones or any cooked bones as they can chip your dogs teeth or splinter and cause a painful reaction on their stomachs.

If your dog's teeth have gotten away from you and have now got a solid build of of tartar, you may need to consider having your dogs mouth seen by a professional. Your vet is usually a good first stop. They can clean your dogs teeth under anethetic, but if you are not comfortable having your dog put under, you can also look into having a non anethetic procedure done at your own home.

There are many options to help keep your dogs teeth and gums happy and healthy. Help your dog live the happy healthy life they were born to experience!!