Steps to Improve Your Dog’s Dental Health And Oral Hygiene
Dental care is very important for keeping your dog healthy, it prevents them from having dental and gum problems.
Poor oral hygiene can lead to plaque and tartar build-up which causes tooth decay and gum disease. Your dog’s diet can also affect its dental health; for instance, dogs that eat kibble are more prone to dental problems than those that eat raw, so it is very crucial that you take care of your dog's teeth as needed.
From teeth brushing to serving your dog raw bones here are some tips and steps to follow in order to keep your dog's teeth healthy and clean, and most importantly prevent bacteria formation and plaque buildup.
It is also essential to let your vet check your dog’s teeth and gums from time to time, to ensure its dental health.
1. Teeth brushing
Keeping our dogs clean and healthy is our main priority for sure, but it is crucial to train and involve our dogs in the process in a way that makes it fun for them; whether it's grooming, nail clipping or teeth brushing you should train your dog to enjoy the process and be willing to cooperate with you.
Make sure to buy toothpaste that is made especially for dogs; not for humans as many human dental products contain harmful ingredients such as Xylitol that can cause serious illness to your four-legged friend.
Many toothpaste products are flavored with dogs' favorite snacks; such as peanut butter and chicken, which gives you the opportunity to make brushing your dog's teeth a daily fun activity for your four-legged companion.
2. Water additive
Water additive is a great addition to your dog's dental care routine, it is easy to use and very effective as it contains enzymes that alter the PH levels of your dog’s saliva.
Choose a high-quality product, preferably odorless and tasteless so that your dog won’t have any issues with it. Water additives should not be used as an alternative to daily brushing but as a part of your dog's dental care routine to ensure the best results.
Most importantly never use a human mouthwash for your dog as these products contain harmful artificial sweeteners, and various chemicals, some products even contain alcohol.
3. Dental chews
High-quality dental chews are a great addition to your dog's dental care routine. These sticks are very effective for keeping your dog's teeth free of plaque buildup as these sticks were designed to work by scraping plaque off of your dog's teeth.
Get a flavor your dog would appreciate, and gets excited to chew on. Make sure to Choose the best stick size depending on your dog's size and age.
Do not overgive dental chews to your dog as these sticks are mostly made of carbohydrates.
Dental chews might not be a good fit for your dog if your dog is a fast eater and does not chew on the stick but instead swallows it in one or two pieces. In this case, we highly recommend raw bones.
4. Raw bones
Raw bones are a natural tooth cleaning material, it is great, highly effective, and can also occupy your dog for a long time.
Make sure that the bone is raw, does not have any sharp edges, and that you keep an eye on your dog the whole time. Do not serve your dog cooked bones! It may splinter and cause serious internal injuries if your dog swallows it.
Raw bones clean the teeth and freshen your dog’s breath, it should be served 2 to 3 times per week for 30 to 60 minutes. Do not leave your dog unsupervised at all to prevent any issues, such as choking.
5. Coconut oil
Most dogs love coconut oil, if your pup is one then you should try this method for sure! Coconut oil reduces bacteria, prevents tooth decay, and eliminates bad breath.
Coconut oil can be used as a natural alternative to toothpaste products and the great thing is it keeps your dog's teeth shiny white, freshens their breath and dogs love the coconut flavor.
Take a small amount of coconut oil and put it on your dog's toothbrush or your finger if you are comfortable putting your hand in your dog's mouth, then rub the oil on the teeth in a circular motion and make sure you get to the molars.
With Louis our routine includes a combination of all the steps above; We brush his teeth twice a day, once with toothpaste and once with coconut oil. We add water additive to his water once per day, give him a dental chew twice a week and serve him a raw bone to enjoy 3 times a week for 1 hour each time.
If your dog suffers from bad breath or you notice that the teeth are in bad condition bring your dog to the vet for a check-up. Dogs’ bad breath and dental issues can be a sign of dental disease or a more serious underlying medical condition such as liver disease and diabetes.
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