Dental care for your pet
- February 17th 2020
Ignoring your dog’s teeth? It won’t end well. Pet oral hygiene is one of the easiest areas to slip up on, but ignoring your pet’s dental care can have disastrous consequences. In this article, we’ll talk you through why oral hygiene for your pet matters, how you can keep their mouth and teeth clean, and what a good dental routine looks like.
Why does oral hygiene for your pet matter?
Oral disease can
be extremely painful for your pet. An excessive build-up of plaque on your pet’s
teeth can cause gingivitis, a painful condition of inflamed gums. Also common
is periodontal disease, which is an inflammation between the teeth and gums. This
can cause swelling, makes it extremely difficult for your pet to eat and, in
some cases, can lead to loosening of the teeth.
Poor oral hygiene can cause bleeding in the mouth and can affect your pet’s intake of food and water, which affects their overall health. Taking care of their mouth is therefore crucial to ensure a healthy and happy pet.
What do you need for dental hygiene?
Canine toothbrushes
It’s important to use toothbrushes specially made for your dog, as human toothbrushes aren’t ideally suited for your dog’s mouth. Canine toothbrushes are softer and tend to be angled correctly for a dog’s mouth and the position of their teeth. Toothbrushes with long handles are better for big dogs, as it gives you better access and reach. Like human toothbrushes, brushes for dogs come in many varieties, including a toothbrush with bristles from three angles for thorough cleaning of the tooth.
Canine toothpaste
The toothpaste you use is not suitable for your dog, as it may have elements that are harmful for your pet. Always buy a toothpaste that is suitable for dogs . These toothpastes help combat bad breath and come in many flavours (keep trying new ones until you find one your dog likes!).
Dental wipes
Dental wipes are an easy way to clean your dog’s teeth: you simply and gently wipe away plaque and tartar. Most wipes are moist and single use, and come in a variety of flavours to help with your dog’s breath. Pet Heal Finger Dental Wipes , for instance, are peppermint flavoured, and can be used anywhere and anytime.
Dental food sprays
Some dogs can be fussy about having their mouths touched and can be resistant to dental grooming. While it’s important to keep working on this and getting them used to the process, dental food sprays help keep up oral hygiene in the meanwhile. These sprays are directly applied to the food and usually have no smell or flavour, so your dog won’t know they’re consuming it. These sprays effective in fighting plaque and tartar and combat canine bad breath.
What a good dental routine looks like
For optimal results, you ideally want to clean your pet’s teeth once a day. Try and pick the same time each day, so that your dog gets used a schedule. Remember to treat them afterwards!
There are also toys that are good for dental care and treats that are good for dental care , which can help keep your canine’s oral hygiene at a high level. Make sure you take your pet to the vet for dental grooming at least once a year.
Getting your pet accustomed to the dental routine
While it’s necessary to clean your pet’s mouth and take care of their dental hygiene, your pet may be a bit baffled by the process. After all, they don’t have canine toothbrushes in the wild. It’s important to get them accustomed to what you’re doing, and to make sure they feel comfortable with the tools you’re using.
Ideally, your pet should be trained and used to having their mouth handled. If they are, then you simply need to introduce them to the canine toothbrush, slowly but surely. Touch the toothbrush to the sides of their mouth and the front. Let them adjust to the texture. When they seem comfortable, brush their teeth from the front to the back. Go slow, and make sure you give them plenty of praise (plus a treat, preferably one that’s good for dental hygiene).
Remember to also let them taste the toothpaste first, so that they can get used to the flavour. Put a little toothpaste on your finger and let them smell and lick it. If they like the taste, use it. If not, try another flavour next time.
Conclusion
It’s easy to ignore dental hygiene or not give as much importance as the more visible aspects of your dog’s health, such as their coat or their weight. But good dental care is essential for a healthy and happy pup. With these steps and tools, you’re on the right track to taking care of it!
Comments
No posts found