PET CARE
There has never been a better time than now to think about what may be causing harm to your dog’s teeth! There are many things to consider: The best dog food to pick for dental up keep, how to brush your pup’s teeth, what treats are okay and what treats are bad…the list goes on and on. The following tips can walk you through all these dog teeth care issues.
For many people, the decision between what type of dog food to get comes down to dry vs. wet. In regards to dog dental care, however, the general consensus is that dry dog food might be the way to go .
Dry dog food (or kibble) comes with a unique set of dental benefits that some pet owners might not even be aware of. Whenever canines chomp down on crunchy kibble, it actually helps to remove tartar and plaque. This sort of chomping plays a crucial role in cleaning teeth. Unfortunately, however, many dry dog foods are manufactured with low-quality proteins, non-nutritive fillers and questionable meat by-products. That makes it very important to keep a lookout for dry dog foods manufactured by trusted brands using only high-quality ingredients.
Wet dog food, on the other hand, can lack the cleansing crunch of kibble. As a result, it might not provide the same breadth of dental care. Also, wet food may stick to your dog’s teeth and cause decay over time. However, it can still be a solid alternative for picky eaters and dogs who have already developed significant dental issues. It can also be relatively harmless (and always well-received) when used as an occasional treat.
So, for every day dog dental care, try this: Do feed your dog high quality dry food, using wet as an occasional treat. In the case of older dogs with existing dental issues, however, wet food can be the best dog food to go with if you wish to minimize the chances of additional damage.
Oral care-focused dog treats can be a good idea for those pet parents who are convinced their pup just wont sit still to brush their teeth.
Do: Monitor for Signs of Dental Damage
Canine teeth can get damaged in all sorts of ways. Abscesses, chipping and various other problems can lead to serious complications down the road if they’re not addressed quickly.
If you’re unsure of whether or not to schedule a dental check-up, here are some big indicators you may want to consider it:
When performing routine check-ups on your dog’s teeth, be on the look out for some dental red flags like broken or loose teeth, bleeding, swelling, and plaque and tartar buildup (even a small amount can mask serious underlying problems).
If you spot any of these issues, your best option is to take your dog to see your vet so he or she can determine the cause. Then, you can be certain that it’s being treated correctly.
So far, a lot of dos have been addressed, but not nearly as many don’ts. Here are a few of those for you to keep in mind: