Dental Health for Your Dog
As part of my blog on no bark collars and dog training collars, I want to address an important health issue for your pet – dental health.
Why is dental health for my pet important?
Tartar and gingivitis are two of the most common problems seen by veterinarians and poor dental hygiene can lead to gum disease, loss of teeth and, if untreated, could develop into more serious conditions such as bacterial infections of the heart, liver, or kidneys. In fact, 80% of dogs show signs of oral and dental disease by the age of three.
Top 3 tips for pet dental health:
1. Daily Brushing – Brushing your pet’s teeth helps to remove plaque and slow the development of tartar. When first beginning to brush, be gradual and make it a pleasant experience. It is recommended to use a finger brush and you can eventually add pet toothpaste (do not use human toothpaste). Be sure to reward your pet afterward with play or a nice walk!
2. Diet – What your pet eats affects his smile. Dry foods and treats can help clean plaque from teeth. Real bones can be dangerous for your pet and should not be used for teeth cleaning purposes. I can especially recommend C.E.T. Hextra Premium Chews with Chlorohexidine.
3. Dentistry – Talk to your veterinarian about annual or semiannual teeth cleaning. A teeth cleaning performed by your vet is the only way to remove tartar build up. Just like you would schedule a cleaning, be sure to calendar in your pet’s cleaning as well.