According to Kato Animal Hospital, 84% of canines suffer from some form of dental disease if they are over the age of 4.
Doggy dental is really important for your pup's health!
Although often overlooked when it comes to pets, dental health is one of the most important aspects of taking care of your dog.
No pet owner wants to see rotten dog teeth or any other repercussions that can come because of that. Even worse is the pain that you may not see your dog going through from their dental issues.
This article will help you understand the importance of doggy dental, how often their teeth should be cleaned at the vet, how you should care for their teeth at home and the dangers of ignoring their dental health.
Why Is Doggy Dental Important?
Taking care of your pet's dental health goes far beyond just seeing bad dog teeth.
If your dog is suffering from poor dental hygiene, they may suffer from weight loss, bleeding gums, and even jaw fractures. Even worse, if the infection gets to their bloodstream, it can spread to major organs. Bark Mart explains that this can eventually become fatal to your pet.
How Often Should You Get Your Dog’s Teeth Cleaned?
It is recommended that you get your dog's teeth cleaned annually, although it varies from dog to dog.
During a dental cleaning service, your pet will be put under anesthesia. The vet will conduct X-rays first to see if there are any underlying issues. They then will begin to remove any plaque or excessive tartar during the dog teeth cleaning.
How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth at Home
Because dental cleanings only happen about once a year, it is important to keep up your dog's dental hygiene at home as well. The earlier you start with them, the easier brushing their teeth will remain!
When brushing your dog's teeth, make sure to use canine toothpaste. You should also use a canine toothbrush, although a human toothbrush is fine as long as it has soft bristles.
We know it's not always possible to brush our dog's teeth, but there are other things you can do to keep up their dental hygiene at home.
Feeding your pet nutritious food is the best place to start. Chew toys and dental chews can also come in handy because they will gently scrub tartar off their teeth as they chew. There are also dental water additives. These can simply be added to your dog's water dish to keep their teeth healthy.
For even more ideas on how to keep your dog's teeth healthy, you can find more advice here.
Time for a Cleaning?
Don't wait until it's too late for your pup! If you've read this and know you need to get your dog into the vet for an appointment, check out Kato Hospital's appointment scheduler.
We can meet whatever needs your doggy dental needs are, from ultrasonic cleanings to dental charting and X-rays.
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