Dental health is part of a dog’s overall health. As a pet owner, it’s your responsibility to include dental health among the essential services you should give your dog. Veterinarians could give you good advice on what are the best dental practices for pets.
Dogs aren’t as prone to dental cavities as humans. But despite this, it’s still a dog owner’s responsibility that the pet won’t develop dental plaques, tartar or gingivitis. Sometimes, a dog will have bad breath or its teeth will turn yellow. If these dental problems are left untreated, these may lead to severe infections that could affect the liver, kidney or the heart. So, better be safe than sorry.
Here are some pointers on how to take care of your pet’s dental health.
Brush the dog’s teeth
There’s canine toothbrush available in dog supply stores. The best type is a double-headed brush with the bristles at a 45-degree angle. This brush can go and clean even below the gumlines.
At first, your pet might not enjoy brushing his teeth. It may take some time convincing him that the experience isn’t very bad at all. You’ll need just a little more effort and patience. It’s good to choose the right time to brush especially after a tiring day. If the dog is a little exhausted, he’ll stay still while you’re cleaning his teeth.
As the dog gets used to the procedure, you can increase the frequency. And to make the experience more pleasant, you can give a reward to your pet after brushing. In time, he’ll look forward to the activity.
Start early
Developing a good habit is always good when started at a young age. So while your pet is still a puppy, try to make tooth brushing a happy, comfortable and easy experience.