Dog dental care
The Bottom Line:
Call your
vet if your dog has any of these problems -
- Broken
teeth
- Loose
teeth
- Inflamed,
red, swollen or bleeding gums
- Pawing
at mouth or face
- Bad breath
all of the time
- Change
in eating habits or chewing
- Yellow
or brown tartar buildup on teeth or gum line
- Loss of
appetite or weight
- Drooling
- Blood
in the saliva
Daily dental
care will not only strengthen the bond you have with your dog but you
will soon learn to detect signs of unhealthy gums which could be an indication
of other and more serious impending health problems. It is also very likely
that your dog may never need a vet dental if brushing is done thoroughly
and daily.
Dental chews
and toys, hard biscuits and special dental diets can certainly help maintain
optimum oral hygiene but should not be considered a reasonable substitute
for daily teeth brushing. Traditional chew toys such as dental chew toys,
rope bone chew toys and edible dog chews are designed to keep your dog
engaged, with the added benefit of cleaning the teeth. These toys will
entice your dog into playfully attending to dental hygiene.
They can also keep your dog entertained and out of mischief during those
times when you must leave your dog alone.
Rope Bone
Chew Toys -Try a dental rope chew toy for great flossing action. As your
dog happily chews on these toys the rope fibers clean between the teeth.
Spray on some dog dental care spray or rub on a little flavored pet toothpaste
to really enhance the cleaning action of this enticing dental chew toy.
Chewing on a cotton rope bone can help clean those back teeth.
Dental Chew
Toys - For long lasting chewing fun, and a great dental workout, get your
dog a dental chew toy. Some dental chew toys can also be stuffed with
your dog's favorite treats for hours of stimulating chewing. And for smaller
dogs there are dental chew toys that not only have teeth cleaning grooves
but also are combined with a rope chew. Just add some pet toothpaste to
the dental grooves and your dogs will eagerly participate in their daily
dog dental care routine.
Edible Dog
Chews - many pet shops and online stores now carry a variety of composite
chews. These all natural rawhide dog chews can't ribbon, are easy to digest
and dogs love the baked in flavor. There is even an edible dog chew treat
available that contains no animal by-products.
Be sure to
have your vet examine your dog's teeth thoroughly on a yearly basis. Get
in the habit of looking in your dog's mouth to check for broken or cracked
teeth.
Don't let
your dog chew on rocks, bones, cow hooves, or hard nylon or ceramic bones.
Safer chewing toys are those made of rubber, soft rope bones, or bones
that are soft enough to provide the necessary chewing exercise without
the possibility of breaking teeth. Rawhide may be safe for chewing, but
as it softens pieces can break off and if inhaled, may cause your dog
to suffocate. If swallowed, rawhide can cause an intestinal blockage.
Get in the
habit of looking in your dog's mouth to check for broken or cracked teeth.
If your pet
does not take to tooth brushing, or you just don't have the time or patience
plan on taking your pet in for regular dental care!
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