5/11/2023 0 Comments Take five dog care![]() “If your dog’s breath smells foul, or you notice a lot of tartar on the teeth and redness and/or bleeding around the gums, visit your vet without delay,” says Dr. “Canids in the wild never eat kibble and never get tartar,” Dr. raw meat, for the dog gets to use his teeth to tear and gnaw at the sinewy source of protein the way nature intended - which keeps those teeth in great shape. Many dog lovers and vets agree that the tooth-healthiest type of food is a species-appropriate diet, i.e. Saying that feeding a dog kibble will keep their teeth clean is like saying we can keep our teeth clean by chewing pretzels!” Mixed with saliva, that powder makes a cement that sticks to the teeth. Michelle Yasson of New York’s Holistic Veterinary Services explains, “It isn’t hard enough to scrape the teeth clean during chewing, and unless it’s swallowed whole, it turns into a powder. Sure, it’s dry when it enters a dog’s mouth, but, Dr. Feeding dry kibble is no substitute for brushing your dog’s teeth. ![]() In actual fact, neither are “better” for dog dental health - both leave behind residue that quickly builds up to form tartar. Dog dental care and what dogs should eat for healthy teethįor years, conventional wisdom held that dry kibble was better for dogs’ teeth than wet, canned food. Sliced apples contain malic acid and are also great for polishing dog teeth - just be sure not to give your dog the core, as it contains apple seeds, which are toxic to canines. If your dog will eat veggies (I’m lucky my health-nut hounds love munching out on veggies), by all means hand out treats of raw or lightly steamed carrots or even celery - those fibrous green strands mimic dental floss as your dog gnaws on them. There are numerous oral-care dog toys and treats on the market, in many flavors and shapes let your dog sink his fangs into a few different ones until you find Fido’s favorite. Many chew toys are designed to be as enticing to Spot as they are effective at keeping his choppers clean – so keeping his own teeth polished becomes a fun activity for the dog. As we saw above, there’s no reason your dog’s oral care can’t be delicious. In between brushings, dogs can keep their own choppers healthy by gnawing on dental bones and treats designed to polish canines’ canines. What dogs should chew to keep their teeth healthy Plus, I’ve yet to meet the dog who doesn’t love the taste of VCO, so the brushing session becomes a delicious treat in itself! (And while you’re at it, treat yourself to a spoonful of VCO - it’s great for human teeth too). If Spot finds the brushing routine absolutely loathsome, you can make the chore more pleasant - for brusher and brushee - by using virgin coconut oil (VCO) instead of toothpaste it’s antibacterial, antiviral and excellent for maintaining oral health. Clean the brush thoroughly after each use with hydrogen peroxide and/or boiling water. Apply pet toothpaste to the brush - stay away from toothpaste made for people, as it often contains xylitol, which is toxic to dogs - and gently polish those doggie teeth. Once a week is better than never,” she adds.Īs for how to brush, use a rubber “finger brush” designed for cleaning dogs’ teeth, a handled brush designed for dogs or a child-size soft toothbrush. “With large breeds, you can get away with brushing every few days. ![]() ![]() Diane Levitan of Long Island’s Peace Love Pets Veterinary Care. “Ideally, it should be every day for small breeds such as Yorkies and Chihuahuas, which are more prone to dental disease,” says Dr. Photography by KPG Payless2 / Shutterstock. How often to brush your dog’s teeth Ideally, you should brush your dog’s teeth every day.
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