Tips For Caring For Your Dog's Dental Needs
Keeping your dog healthy will be a task that is essential for avoiding potentially expensive medical bills while ensuring that your dog has the highest quality of life possible. Dental care is one aspect of owning a dog that is frequently overlooked, and this can result in potentially painful dental problems. For pet owners that have not given much consideration to their pet's teeth, there are some steps that can help to keep your dog's teeth and gums in the best condition possible.
Avoid Feeding Your Dog Canned Food
If your dog is like many others, it may have a preference for wet food that comes from a can. However, you should typically avoid feeding your dog this type of food. The wet food particles can become stuck to the dog's teeth, which can lead to the development of tartar and plaque. Eventually, these issues can lead to gum disease and decay. In contrast, hard food is designed to actually help clean your pet's teeth. This is through the crunching action of the food, which will create vibrations that can loosen plaque and tartar.
Brush Your Dog's Teeth
You may not realize that it is advised to regularly brush your dog's teeth, but this simple task can greatly reduce the risk of serious dental problems developing. When brushing your dog's teeth, you should use a basic toothbrush that has been moistened with water. You will also want to use dog tooth paste for the dog dental cleaning. Furthermore, you will want to use a circular motion as this will be the most effective at remove debris from the teeth. Ideally, this should be done at least once a week, but older dogs may benefit from having it done more frequently.
Give Your Dog A Daily Dental Chew Toy
To help pet owners care for their pet's dental needs, there are an assortment of toys that you can give your pet that will work to help clean the teeth. While these chew toys are usually more expensive than traditional ones, the dental benefits will make this higher price worth paying. Make sure that you choose a chew toy that your dog enjoys as you will want them to use the entire chew toy in a single day.
If you have a dog, you will want to be taking steps to protect its teeth against routine wear and other dental health risks. By appreciating the benefits of avoiding canned food, brushing your dog's teeth each week, and providing a daily dental chew toy, you can keep your dog's teeth healthy.