5 Tips For Caring For Your Dog's Teeth
When you welcome a dog into your family, you want to ensure that they are happy and healthy for the duration of their life. One aspect of taking care of your dog's health is ensuring that their teeth are cared for. Use the following tips to provide good dental care for your pup:
Don't Forget to Brush
Just like humans, dogs need to have their teeth brushed regularly, for optimal oral health. Take a trip to your local pet store, most carry a variety of canine toothbrushes. Some canine toothbrushes look similar to human toothbrushes, while others can be placed on your finger, so you can use your hand to brush your dog's teeth. When purchasing your dog a toothbrush, don't forget to pick up a tube of toothpaste that is specifically designed for canines. You should brush your dog's teeth several times a week.
Buy Dental Chew Treats
Most dogs love treats, and dog owners love to make their pups happy by giving them treats. If you want to give your dog treats, look for treats that are advertised as being dental chew treats. These types of treats can freshen your dog's breath, and as your dog chews on them. they will help remove tartar and plaque build up on the teeth and along the gum lines.
Throw Your Dog a Bone
In addition to giving your dog dental chew treats, make sure that they have either real or synthetic bones to chew on throughout the day. Chewing on bones can help strengthen a dog's jaw and teeth, and it can also help remove plaque. Just make sure that you never give your dog soft bones, such as chicken bones, since these can splinter and cause choking.
Feed Your Dog Dry, Crunchy Food
When selecting food for your dog, look for a dry, crunchy kibble. When dogs eat this type of food, it is less likely to stick in-between the teeth and on the surface of the teeth, so plaque won't build up quickly. If your dog won't eat a dry, crunchy kibble, you can feed a soft food, but just make sure to use teeth wipes afterwards, to remove food particles from your dog's teeth.
Get Your Dog's Teeth Professionally Cleaned
While there is a lot you can do to take care of your dog's teeth at home, they still need to have their teeth cleaned by a vet on occasion. Your vet will most likely look at your dog's teeth during regular checkups and will let you know how often professional teeth cleaning is needed.
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