Good dental care is essential for your dog’s health and happiness. Just like us, our pets need to receive dental care at home. It’s ideal to begin home care when your pet is a pup. However, it is never too late to get a start on it.
There are many different methods to prevent dental disease and to assist with dental hygiene at home, some of which include:
- Regular teeth brushing
- Dental treats and chews
- Dental toys
Plaque and tartar can build up in your pet’s mouth the same way that it does in our own. This can cause dental problems such as inflamed gums, bad breath, and tooth decay. Veterinarians advise brushing your dog’s teeth to help them maintain a healthy smile.
It is not okay to use human toothpaste when brushing your dog’s teeth. Human toothpaste contains ingredients that are not okay to swallow. These ingredients can cause an upset stomach or digestive problems. Some human toothpaste contains high levels of sodium which may even make your pet sick, while others may contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol which is toxic for dogs.
There are plenty of pet healthy toothpaste on the market. However, it is super easy to make a homemade version. All you need is one part coconut oil and one part baking soda. Mix the two ingredients and you have a pet-friendly toothpaste.
Another way to keep your pet’s mouth healthy is by feeding them a daily dental treat. In an independent dental test, dogs receiving one dental chew per day averaged 60% less tartar accumulation, 33% less plaque accumulation, 80% healthier gums, and 45% improvement in breath in a 28-day feeding study. This was in comparison to dogs who only received dry dog food.
Brushing Dog’s Teeth
It is best to brush your dog’s teeth when they are calm and relaxed. The goal is to set a routine. Working up to brushing daily is ideal. But if your pup’s mouth is healthy, even three days a week can make a difference. Without brushing, plaque builds up. This can put your dog at risk for bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay. It may also cause painful infections down the road. Severe mouth infections can spread, causing life-threatening conditions.
Use a circular motion when brushing your dog’s teeth. Focus on areas where there is plaque built up or discoloration. Gently brush your pet’s gums as well.
Teeth brushing reduces bacteria which prevents plaque buildup and subsequent tartar formation. It also prevents bacteria under the gumline which may lead to gingivitis, periodontal disease, and bacterial infections of the organs. Don’t forget to praise and reward your pet for cooperating after a brush!
At Flexpet, we care about you and your pets. We want to help you keep them as healthy as possible. We have a fantastic and knowledgeable customer care team available to answer any of your questions about our joint supplement products and how they may help your dog or cat. If your dog has joint pain issues, we invite you to try Flexpet today and start your dog on the journey to playing like a pup again. Flexpet is so confident it is the best joint supplement for dogs and cats it comes with a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. Our Flexpet joint care supplements have excellent reviews on social media. You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, email, or by phone at 1-800-505-0575.