A dog’s teeth are important to their overall health. Although they don’t usually have the same issue with cavities that humans do, the build up of tartar and plaque can affect dog’s health in several negative ways. Here are ten things you can do to help keep your dog’s teeth healthy.
- Toothbrush – Dog’s teeth should be brushed daily to clean them, just as you would clean your own. You can purchase a toothbrush and toothpaste especially made for dogs, or you can purchase finger brushes that fit over your finger to use as your dog’s toothbrush.
- Dry dog food – Feeding your dog dry dog food, rather than soft canned food, can help keep their teeth cleaner.
- Dental snacks – Many dog treats are specially designed to help clean their teeth. Check the information on the packaging to choose the best product for your pet.
- Raw hide chips – Puppies and mature dogs can enjoy chewing on raw hide chips. The chewing action on these chips helps clean plaque from their teeth.
- Rubber chew toys – Many hard rubber chew toys can provide good chewing action for your dog as well. The types that allow you to fill them with dog treats are considered the best choice, for this reason.
- Rope chew toys – The texture of rope type chew toys can also be helpful for providing the friction needed to clean plaque from dog’s teeth.
- Dental wipes – If brushing your dog’s teeth doesn’t seem to be working very well, there is another option. These textured wipes are treated with an ingredient to help kill bacteria that can create plaque.
- Water additives – There are several different brands of water additives that include the same anti-bacterial ingredient as the dental wipes. You can simply add this to your dog’s water bowl to help keep their teeth healthy.
- Oral rinse – This is a third option for applying the anti-bacterial solution to your pet’s teeth. It can be squirted directly on your dog’s teeth or applied with their toothbrush.
- Plaque and tartar removal – When tartar and plaque have begun to build up on your dog’s teeth, your veterinarian will usually recommend that you have their teeth professionally cleaned. This procedure is usually done by your vet while your dog is under anesthesia and can cost several hundred dollars.
As with most health issues, preventative care is always your best choice and usually the least expensive choice as well. At the very least, proper dental care for your dog will help their teeth last longer, something your dog will appreciate.
