Can you imagine what would happen to your oral health if you rarely brushed your teeth or skipped visiting the dentist for years? Shockingly, as many as 85% of dogs over the age of 3 suffer from periodontal disease. Here’s 5 tips for taking care of your dog’s teeth:
#1 – Upgrade their diet & cut the carbs
Dental health starts with what goes inside your dog’s mouth. It’s actually a well perpetrated myth that dry dog food helps clean teeth. Today’s typical dog food kibble tends to be high in carbohydrates, which contributes significantly to dental decay. Consider switching to a lower carb option or a raw diet. Raw, meaty bones are a great way to clean your dog’s teeth in a way they actually enjoy.
#2 – Establish a positive brushing routine
Brushing needs to be a positive experience in order for the routine to stick. Start by letting your dog pick the flavor of toothpaste they like. Many are made with dog friendly flavors like chicken. Start slow by just brushing just a few teeth per day. Always be sure to reward your dog with lots of praise and maybe a good belly rub! 🙂
RELATED: 5 More Tips for Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth
#3 – Do Your Homework with Your Vet To Decide If/How Often Your Should Do Anesthetized Teeth Cleanings
The thought of having your dog’s teeth cleaned under an anesthetic strikes fear into the heart of many dog owners. Talk to your vet, or multiple vets about what they recommend for your dog. Do your homework on all the options. Some breeds are more prone to problems with cleanings under anesthesia. However, anesthesia free cleaning methods do not offer the same benefits, and often require physically restraining your dog.
#4 – Encourage chewing behavior with good quality toys
Toys aren’t just good for fun, they have a functional benefit as well. A good quality, durable rubber toy makes a great surface for your dog to rub their teeth on. The mechanical action provided works to remove plaque and tartar buildup.
#5 – Find a healthy dental chew your dog enjoys
So much of canine dental care can feel tedious to the owner and stressful to dog. Offering a tasty and healthy dental chew is one of the easiest streps in the right direction you can make. An additional benefit of many chews is that they contain mint which helps freshen your dog’s breath.
Be aware, however, there are a lot of not-so-great chews out on the market. We at iHeartDogs recently developed our own line of grain & gluten free, triple enzyme chews for this very reason.
In summary, please, please take your dog’s dental health as seriously as you take your own! Your dog can’t thank you in words, but they will show appreciation in their own special way 🙂
