Your Pet’s Oral Health

We are often so focused on our own oral health we tend to neglect the healthcare needs of our furry friends! Veterinarians report that 85% of dogs over four years old have some form of oral pain that can cause tooth loss or infection. It is important to have your pet’s teeth cleaned and checked out at least once a year by a veterinarian.

Some of the early signs that your dog may have poor oral health is bad breath. Brushing your pet’s teeth at home is also important but can be very difficult to accomplish on some pets. When brushing your dog’s teeth at home, make sure to use dog-friendly tooth paste – toothpaste for humans has toxins that can hurt your pet. There are tooth pastes out there specifically for dogs that come in chicken or peanut butter flavor – yum! If brushing your pet’s teeth with a toothbrush is going to be a difficult feat, there are other options.

Chewing on a rawhide or bone can help scrape plaque and dirt off of their teeth. Some chew toys made for dogs have rough or bumpy surfaces so that as they chew the bumps clean between their teeth. There are also dog treats out there, such as Greenies, that help with cleaning your pet’s teeth. Making sure that your pet is on the correct food can also help their dental health! Lastly there are gauze pads you can purchase that you can wrap around your finger to quickly rub bacteria and food off of your pet’s teeth and gums.

Our dogs aren’t just pets, but they are a part of the family! We worry about our children’s oral health, so why not worry about your pet’s oral health? Unfortunately we can’t clean your dog’s teeth for you (how fun would that be?!) but a Veterinarian can, so make sure your furry friends are getting their annual check-ups!