Keeping a pet isn’t just a fondness; rather, it’s a full-time responsibility. You have to take care of the food and hygiene on a daily basis, along with spending some quality playing time with it. Dogs make great companions and pets, but they are susceptible to falling ill easily. For example, oral hygiene requires special care; otherwise, it can lead to cardiac muscle damage, liver and kidney failure. In addition, as per the American Veterinary Medical Association, almost 80% of dogs may have periodontal disease as soon as they turn 3.
So the owners have to pay special attention to the oral health of their dogs. Here are a few ways through which you can overlook your dog’s oral health. These practices can easily be incorporated even in your busy schedule.
- Delectable Toothpaste
Brushing teeth is the simplest and easy way of attending to oral health. Similar to humans, dogs need to brush teeth as well, but rather than daily, they require it once a week, but if you can manage, the more, the better. Dogs may develop a liking for tooth brushing with time. You need to get a specially angled dog toothbrush that has soft bristles and toothpaste. You can find several flavors in the market for your 4-legged friend, including chicken, beef, and peanut butter. You may have to switch between flavors initially to know your dog’s favorite flavor.
- Dental Chews
Dental chews for dogs are formulated to curb your dog’s cravings as he chews them and cleans his teeth simultaneously. The dental chews are suitable for dogs of every age and size. These are usually made with stomach-friendly ingredients and decrease the risk of plaque build-up on the teeth. In addition, chewing on these toys acts as a polish for the teeth. It’s advisable to get your hands on hypoallergenic chews that kill the bad breath-causing bacteria, or you can always contact professional dog teeth cleaning service.
- Dog Dental Sprays
Bad breath may be an indication of a bigger and underlying health issue. But for the starters, you have to get rid of it as it comes in the way of cuddling your pet. Next, you can get a dental spray, which not only keeps bad breath at bay but also protect from teeth diseases. You can use it at a random time in a day or between brushing. The spray has to be spritz between the dog’s teeth and gums for effectiveness.
- Chew Toys
Chew toys are great, not only for dental health but also for killing your dog’s boredom. These toys appease their instinct of chewing along with offering them something to keep busy. Gnawing proves healthy for puppies, especially, and chewing cleanses the teeth naturally by scraping off plaque. Chew toys are available in a variety of materials like rawhide, nylon, rubber, and plastic.
- Annual Dentist Sessions
This is an inevitable and essential means of ensuring your dog’s oral health. A certified veterinary dentist is a pro at identifying an underlying or explicit oral disease, and he can be your best bet at the treatment. In addition, your dog requires at least a visit to the dentist once a year, so he can identify any warning signs or instruct you to take certain precautions.
These 5 ways are affirmative to follow if you want your dog to live a long and illness-free life. All these options are affordable and do not take much of your time, all the while benefiting your dog’s dental health.