Dog's Help

As dog owners, very few of us may realize that it is as important for our pet dog’s overall health to have a clean set of clean teeth, as it is important for us to take care of our own teeth. Poor oral hygiene in pets may lead to a number of health problems, the only noticeable one being the dog having bad breath.

As per research, dogs above 3 years of age can have tooth and gum problems because of build up and hardening of tartar. This can cause periodontal decay, gum inflammation, bleeding, and a host of other problems. Just as if we housetrain our pets, we should also get them accustomed to the daily act of our brushing their teeth. Brushing a dog’s teeth with toothpaste formulated for canines will ensure that the animal’s dental and oral health remains in good condition.

You should brush the dog’s teeth at least twice a week from the time that the animal is 16 weeks old. It will become difficult for the dog owner to start the routine later from the time that the dog is one year old. With the passage of time, your pet will become used to the brush and toothpaste and learn to tolerate them. In fact with poultry or beef flavored toothpaste, your canine may look forward to having its teeth brushed.

Another important thing to remember is to feed your dog, food that is crunchy and chewy. Do not feed it soft, pulpy or mushy foods regularly as these types of foods will encourage the growth of tartar and plaque. Make sure that your dog has sufficient chew toys or a doggy bone as these things help them to keep their teeth clean. This will help to keep them healthy and add years to their lives.