Having a pet dog is a great responsibility. Usually, when you tell people this, they think that you mean you’ll have to clean up after them, give them their usual baths, and make sure you always feed them and give them water to drink. While it isn’t wrong to think this, there’s way more to taking care of your dog than just these. A perfect example is your dog’s dental health. People may have the notion that dogs aren’t as susceptible to dental disease as humans, and that isn’t entirely wrong. But, all the same, your dog’s oral hygiene is still a vital part of their overall health.
Fortunately, oral care for dogs isn’t really complicated, and it really doesn’t have to be. All you need to do is just follow a certain routine or have some guidelines to help you get along, such as what the following tips suggest. It’s simple enough to follow and can do a great deal for your dog.
Consistent Mouth Inspections
The first, and probably most important, part of taking care of your dog’s mouth would be to be familiar with it, sights, smells, and all. By doing so, you at least know what’s normal and not a cause for alarm and what should tell you to see your vet right away.
One of the things you’ll need to take note of would be the smell of their breath. While it doesn’t smell like what your breath normally would, it shouldn’t smell bad enough to the point that it gets pungent and offensive. If it does, it could be a sign that they either have some food stuck in-between their teeth or halitosis.
Another important thing to take note of would be their teeth and gums. Their teeth might not necessarily be white, but it should at least not have any plaques or dental carries. Any decaying teeth should also be a cause for alarm. Aside from that, their gums should be pink or red, and not have any bleeding or swelling.
Old Reliable: Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Aside from consistent oral inspections, another way to help with your dog’s oral hygiene would be to do what you do to take care of your teeth: brushing them. Brushing your dog’s teeth can help keep their teeth and gums nice and clean, removing any pieces of food stuck in between their teeth as well as any unnecessary bacteria. It is important to note that whether you use a toothbrush or your fingers, you’ll need to make sure that you use dog toothpaste to clean their teeth. Dog toothpaste is made, especially for dogs, and has all the necessary ingredients to safely maintain their oral hygiene.
Watch What They Eat
Another way to help keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy would be to give them the right food. Dry dog food made, especially for their oral health, is one way to help with that. If this might not fit your budget, another alternative would be to just give them dry dog food. Unlike wet dog food, it’s less likely that you get any pieces of food stuck in between their teeth or in their gums.
Chew Toys and Treats are Good for Chew
Chew toys are another perfect way to help keep your dog’s mouth healthy. Not only do your dog’s teeth get strengthened when they have a go at their chew toys, but they can also get those bits and pieces of food stuck in between their teeth out too. The same goes for dental treats. So, it would be good to give your dog those kinds of treats regularly as well as a good and safe chew toy.
Getting Professional Help
Of course, getting professional help is still the best way to make sure that your dog’s oral health is as good as it can be. Just like how your dentist has all the equipment and abilities to get your teeth cleaned, your dog’s vet has the right tools and skills to get your dog’s teeth cleaned and get all those hard-to-reach spots too. Plus, they’ll be able to tell if there are any other concerns, such as any possible oral illnesses or diseases. So, taking your dog to the vet to get their teeth cleaned should definitely be an option.
