Brushing your dog's teeth may not be the most fun activity,
but it is important to stay on top of your dogs oral health.
Taking a few minutes a day to brush your dog's teeth and use
other products can help ward of a number of serious conditions.
Try one of these products to make teeth cleaning simple and
quick.
-
D.D.S
8-in-1 Dental Kit - Don't worry about wrangling
all the parts you need for a basic teeth-cleaning kit, because
the D.D.S 8-in-1 Dental Kit has absolutely everything
you'll need. With dog-safe toothpaste, finger tooth-scrubbers
and a two-ended toothbrush, you're all ready to help your pooch
have a mouth fit to kiss a king.
-
Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Natural Dog Dental
Kit - Massage your dog's gums while you clean
their teeth from a name you can trust. While your pooch may not
know that their favorite toothpaste is made from the same
company as their most cherished chew toy, they'll be
happy to have a healthy mouth.
-
Synergy Labs Dental Fresh Dog - This
liquid "toothbrush in a bottle" may not replace your brushing
routine, but it can help strengthen your dog's teeth and fight
off tartar and plaque. All you need to do is pour
some of this mix into your dog's water as directed and see the
results firsthand.
-
Earthbath Tooth and Gum Wipes - Working for both
dogs and cats, Earthbath Tooth and Gum Wipes is a
convenient alternative to standard canine toothbrushes. This
product lets you wipe down your dog's teeth and get rid of
odor. Perfect for nervous puppies or dogs with large mouths.
Why does your dog need to have their teeth
brushed?
Some people say that brushing a dog's teeth is unnatural. They
don't have that done in the wild. However, as Colorado State
University explained, wild dogs got all the dental health they
needed from killing and eating their prey. But with canned and
dry dog food, pooches need brushing to replace the natural
cleaning.Helping your pooch keep a clean mouth doesn't just save
them from cavities, but also more serious health issues. CSU
pointed out that mouth infections are the No. 1 major health
problem in dogs and cats. They can lead to missing teeth, jaw
infections, and, if plaque gets into the bloodstream, heart or
lung disease.
How do you brush your dog's teeth?
If you want to avoid putting your dog in a painful or
life-threatening situation, all you need to do is brush
regularly. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals recommended that people brush a dog's teeth every day.You
can use your finger or a toothbrush to clean their teeth as well
as specialty toothpaste, since human toothpaste
contains chemicals that are dangerous to dogs when ingested.
Plus, many dog-specific toothpastes are flavored like chicken or
beef and make brushing more of a treat.Every once in a while,
take your pooch to the veterinary dentist or veterinarian for a
more thorough cleaning. Use your
PetPlus
membership to save on dental hygiene equipment so that your
pooch's smile is as bright as possible.
How To Build a Dog Dental Care Kit
Thereโs no time like the present to start a dog dental care
routine. Ideally, you should be
brushing your dogโs
teeth every day to prevent bad
breath and tartar buildup, which can lead to periodontal
disease. Periodontal disease
is serious; it not only causes your dog pain, it can also affect
organ and body functions. And because itโs irreversible,
prevention is the best you can do.So how can you start a dog
dental care routine? Build a kit filled with everything youโll
need to care for your dogโs teeth, from toothbrushes and
toothpaste to products that promote dental health.
1. Toothbrush and
Toothpaste
These are the most important items in your dental care kit.
Youโll want to select a toothbrush with an angled tip that makes
it easy to reach the back of your dogโs mouth, or a rubber finger
brush that fits over your finger (many dogs more easily accept a
finger brush than an actual toothbrush). With
Nylaboneโs Advanced Oral Care Kit
, you can try both for $8 if youโre a
PetPlus
member. The kit also includes a peanut butter flavored
toothpaste, and dogs go crazy for the stuff. You should never use
human toothpaste on a dog as it could be toxic; stick to
toothpastes intended for furry friends, and choose a flavor that
will make brushing time fun.
RELATED
STORY: How to Brush a Dogโs
Teeth
2. Mouthwash
Want to give your dog dental care routine a leg up? Incorporate a
mouthwash, like C.E.T.
Aquadent
, which is formulated by veterinary dental specialists. A
mouthwash helps to whiten your dogโs teeth, freshen their breath,
and even removes plaque and tartar buildup. All you have to do is
add a small amount to your dogโs water every day and bingo! Your
dog wonโt taste it, but youโll notice the difference in their
teeth. Brushing + mouthwash = dental disease one-two punch.
3. Dental Treats
Itโs great to reward your dog with a treat every once in a while,
but when you do, you should consider giving a treat that has
health benefits.
Greenies
are easily digestible, toothbrush-shaped dental chews that
freshen your dogโs breath and have a textured surface to remove
plaque and tartar. And they
really
work (Iโve tried them on my dog). Unfortunately, Greenies are
pretty expensive. But with a
PetPlus
membership, they can cost a lot less -- 46% less in fact. They
make a great addition to a dog dental care kit.
RELATED
STORY: My Dogโs Breath
Smells! What Should I Do?
4. Dental Dog Food
While any dog can develop periodontal disease, some breeds --
such as brachycephalic breeds
with flat faces and
small and toy
breeds with tiny mouths -- are most at risk. Ask your
veterinarian if you should be feeding your dog a food that
promotes dental health, such as
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Dental Dry Dog Food
. The texture and shape of the food helps to โbrushโ the surface
of the teeth while your dog eats, sodium tripolyphosphate helps
to reduce plaque buildup, and minerals improve digestive
function, which can affect dental health.
Whatโs in your dog dental care kit? Leave a comment and let us
know, and if you need to stock up, consider signing up
for PetPlus. PetPlus is a
benefit program for pet owners that provides member-only access
to medications at wholesale prices, plus discounts on food,
supplies, vet visits, boarding, and more. Learn more
at PetPlus.com
