Content
- Why should you take care of your dog's teeth?
- Maintain the dog's dental hygiene
- create habits
- Recommendations for taking care of dog teeth
Taking care of your puppy's teeth is essential to maintaining his good health, although it is sometimes overlooked that dogs also need this kind of attention. At PeritoAnimal we know that defining an oral hygiene routine for your furry friend is essential, not only to prevent discomfort such as bad breath and chipped teeth, but also to protect them against serious illnesses. That's why we're giving you these tips for taking care of your dog's teeth, because a healthy dog is a happy dog.
Why should you take care of your dog's teeth?
As with humans, your dog's teeth will deteriorate over time if they don't receive the necessary care, which provides the appearance of bad breath, plaque and tartar, you also run the risk of the dog's teeth chipping or developing some infections, such as gingivitis and periodontitis. These diseases cause discomfort and aggression in your furry friend, as well as putting your life at risk.
You will no doubt be wondering why we need to take care of your teeth if, in theory, they are animals capable of living in the wild. However, you should bear in mind that this was the case in the past, when a diet based on raw meat, bone and cartilage kept the dog's teeth healthy and strong, while domestication and the foods it offers at home came up with other problems. .
Typically, the medium-sized, large, and giant dog begins to suffer from tartar and plaque. from 3 years of age, while the toy or small dog usually starts to develop it earlier. In either case, implementing an advance hygiene routine is crucial to avoid these inconveniences.
Maintain the dog's dental hygiene
There are several options for taking care of your dog's teeth, and it is necessary to use more than one to achieve correct hygiene and thus manage to take care of your dog's teeth:
- quality food. Good quality dry dog food is one of your best options for taking care of your dog's teeth, since being crunchy and of a certain size it doesn't get stuck in the teeth or cling to the gums. Furthermore, the ingredients strengthen the teeth and promote their growth.
- Healthy diet. Avoid excess carbohydrates and never give your dog human treats, as they not only make him sick but can also get stuck in his teeth.
- bones. Give your puppy bones and cartilage only from cows and always raw, this will not only make his teeth stronger but also clean the gums.
- Brushing. There are brushes and toothpaste for puppies that you should introduce into your hygiene routine.
- Toys. Some dog toys are designed to function as toothpaste, while others help remove anything that has stuck in your mouth.
- Veterinary consultations. Once or twice a year make an appointment with the veterinarian to make sure your pet's teeth are okay.
create habits
No dog, at first, will want you to stick your fingers in its mouth, hence the importance of get the dog used to the routine of brushing teeth as a puppy. Your puppy's teeth won't fully show until they are around 6 or 8 months old, but brushing habituation may begin sooner.
From an early age and for about 5 minutes every day, try to get your puppy used to moving it in its mouth, gently inserting its fingers and gently rubbing its teeth. This will be uncomfortable for him, but he'll soon feel like something normal.
When the dentures are complete, you can start with a soft-bristled brush. If your puppy is already an adult it will take a little longer to get him used to this, but don't give up and be patient.
Recommendations for taking care of dog teeth
In addition to the above advice for caring for your puppy's teeth, we advise you to consider the following recommendations:
- Always use one soft bristle brush made for dogs. Remember to change it when necessary.
- Never use human toothpaste, because the high fluorine content is toxic to your dog. Purchase the ones that are specific for dogs at any pet store.
- Brush your puppy's teeth once a week, always after playing or just eating.
- Add raw apples and carrots to your diet as they help clean your teeth. Get more information in our article on fruits and vegetables recommended for puppies.
- Toys that help with cleaning should be made of nylon or natural rubber, make sure they are not too hard if your pet is still a puppy.
- Prevent your dog from biting shoes or other household objects, as they wear out his teeth.
- Once a week, check your dog's mouth looking for tartar, cavities, sores, or any other abnormal signs.
