Dental Care for Your Pups

Brushing a dog’s teeth isn’t often the highlight of any pet parent’s day. But, it’s necessary in order to avoid tartar/plaque buildup and gingivitis.

Just as we can, dogs can also develop other conditions if their teeth aren’t taken care of including kidney, liver, and heart disease.

What if we told you brushing your dog’s teeth wasn’t the only way to keep them clean? We’re going to share 5 tips with you today to help you keep your dog’s dental health in tip top shape.

Tip 1: The Dog Food to Stay Healthy

Dog food can help keep your dog’s teeth healthy. Who would have thought? Dry, crunchy kibble helps clean your dog’s teeth (plus it reduces feelings of anxiety). Soft dog food is more likely to stick to your dog’s teeth and increase the risk of tooth decay.

Tip 2: Chew Toys for Doggy Teeth

You must be careful with chew toys. There are some chew toys that shouldn’t even be on the market. They’re too hard and can damage your dog’s teeth.

Search for a synthetic bone or chew toy that is specifically designed for the purpose of cleaning your dog’s teeth. Or, you can check out Greenies, a special ‘toothbrush,’ that are easily digested by your dog. They’re like a toothbrush and a snack combined.

Tip 3: Start Your Puppy Out Right

Start messing with your dog’s mouth as a puppy if you can. This will make him less likely to feel uncomfortable in the case you do have to get something out of his mouth or need to brush his teeth.

If you have an adult dog, it will take longer for her to feel comfortable with you being around her mouth, but this often becomes easier with time and exposure.

Tip 4: Dental Pads for Dogs

There are such things as dental pads. In times where you don’t have time to brush your dog’s teeth, you can use a canine dental pad to reduce the number of bacteria and ‘yuckies’ in her mouth.

Tip 5: The Right Equipment for Tooth Brushing

When you do brush your dog’s teeth, make sure you have the toothpaste and toothbrush specifically designed for canines. A human toothbrush will work, but a toothbrush that has been designed for dogs are more angled and often much simpler to use.

Don’t use human toothpaste for your dog. Our toothpaste is meant to be spit out rather than swallowed. It’s highly unlikely our dog will spit out the toothpaste after you’re done brushing her teeth.

Plus, your dog will like the dog toothpaste much better. It usually comes in some type of meat flavor.

Appreciate the Care

You’ll appreciate keeping your dog’s dental health in top notch shape, too. Her breath will smell better and you will feel better knowing she’s fully taken care of. Happy brushing!

Nothing in this article should be construed as financial, legal or veterinary advice. Please consult your own advisors for questions relating to your and your pet’s specific circumstances.

Guest Blogger: Amber Drake