Article by Cyd Ross
Tips For Cleaning Your Dog's Teeth
Upkeeping dental health is just as important for dogs as it is for humans.
Dental care for dogs is important because it helps to prevent tooth loss, bad breath, pain, periodontal disease, and even organ damage. Not to mention, upkeeping your dog’s dental health now will prevent you from spending more money in the future.
Just like with anything in life, sticking with a regular maintenance schedule is always cheaper than paying for a huge repair because the damages are now out of control - or even worse, irreparable.
Read on to learn some ways to clean your dog’s teeth. And don’t worry, we are definitely including tips for the dog owners who have dogs that make teeth cleaning “impossible”.
Different Ways To Clean Your Dog's Teeth
Brushing
Adding teeth brushing into your daily routine will greatly benefit your dog’s dental health. All you need to brush your dog’s teeth is dog toothpaste, a dog toothbrush, and patience. If it’s your dog’s first time getting its teeth brushed, it’s best to let them get some exercise before attempting to brush their teeth. After exercise, your dog should be in a mellow mood.
Take things slow and start with a few teeth at a time. It’s important to make this experience pleasant and brief for your dog. After a few short weeks, brushing will be a normal part of you and your dog’s routine and it’ll be a walk in the park!
Mouthwash
Finding a natural dog mouthwash brand that you love is a great way to clean your dog’s teeth. You can add a bit of dog mouth wash to your dog’s water bowl to help fight bad breath and bacteria. Dog mouthwash can also reduce tartar and plaque buildup.
Dog mouthwash is especially great for dog owners who have a difficult time brushing their dog’s teeth. You shouldn’t give up on brushing your dog’s teeth altogether. But, mouthwash is a great way to contribute to your dog having a healthier dental life while you both are still getting used to teeth brushing.
Dental Spray
Dog dental spray has similar effects to dog mouth wash. Both help with fighting bacteria that causes bad breath. As well as breaking down tartar and plaque buildup. You can use dental sprays directly in your dog’s mouth or in their water.
Professional Teeth Cleaning
If you can get your dog’s teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months to a year, that would be great! It’s recommended that humans get their teeth cleaned around the same amount of time. A great trick to remember to schedule your dog’s teeth clean appointment is to schedule both you and your dog’s appointments around the same time.
Regular professional teeth cleanings are incredibly beneficial to your dog. A veterinarian can reach bacteria that lay under the gums, which would be impossible to reach with regular brushing at home. By cleaning hard-to-reach bacteria your dog has a better chance at avoiding infections, tooth pain, and tooth loss.
Teeth Cleaning Toys
If you don’t have access to raw bones for your dog, teeth cleaning toys are a great alternative. Teeth cleaning toys scrape tarter away and helps to keep a dog’s teeth clean.
Keeping tartar as far away from your dog’s mouth as possible is something every pet owner should strive for. If tartar gets out of control, it makes its way into your dog’s bloodstream. Which then leads to health issues for your dog’s heart and kidneys.
Herbal Remedies
After doing research and discussing options with your veterinarian, you may want to try your hand at herbal remedies. Coconut oil, aloe vera, calendula, and Oregon grapes are all great ways to reduce inflamed gums and tarter in your dog’s mouth.
How Does Your Dog's Diet Affect Their Dental Health?
Many dog owners love giving their dogs treats and snacks, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. After all, they deserve it for being such amazing additions to the family. But here’s the thing, a lot of dog snacks are filled with cereal grains, fats, and sugar. It’s important to choose the best diet for your dog, and a lot of those snacks should not be included.
Great snacks for your dog that won’t decline their dental health are:
• Sliced Apples
• Juicy Watermelon
• Crunch Carrot Bites
• Delicious Bananas
• Sweet Strawberries
• Yummy Blueberries
• Easy-Peasy Green Peas
• Unseasoned Broccoli
• Cooked Sweet Potato, Squash, or Pumpkin
These are just a few of the things that you can offer your dog as snacks and treats. Keep in mind these are snacks and treats, not meal replacements. A few here and there would be great for your dog but these definitely should not and will not replace a properly nutritious diet.
The best diet for your dog’s dental health is nourishing foods filled with meats, vegetables, and fruits.
If you’re not making your dogs food at home, always try to find a brand that honors all of the food groups that should be a part of your dog’s daily diet. A dog’s daily diet should include:
Protein - It’s best to choose a food that has animal protein, if possible.
Fat - Never buy fat-free dog food. Fat in a dog’s diet contributes to a healthy coat and booming energy levels.
Water - Dogs who are more active will usually need more water than most. But, for the average dog, an ounce of water per pound of their body weight should do the trick!
Vitamins - If you’re worried that your dog is not getting all of the nutrients they need, consult with your veterinarian to discuss vitamin options.
As long as these four things are incorporated into your dog’s diet on a daily basis, you keep snacks and treats at a minimum, and you actively make an effort to clean your dog’s teeth - you are settling your dog up for a long, healthy, and happy life!
Author Bio
Cyd Ross is a founding member of an organization dedicated to rescuing livestock and pets from evacuation zones. Ranch life has given her experience with most animals, but her focus is on training horses and dogs.
Cyd loves competing in endurance events of 50-100 miles with her Arabians.
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Images:
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