Taking care of a human might seem different from caring for a pet, but it’s actually quite similar. Part of our ongoing care for ourselves might include routine doctor’s visits, plenty of exercise, and of course, the dreaded dental visits. Caring for your teeth is important for your health, and the same goes for your dog. Oral hygiene for animals is essential, as neglecting it can lead to bigger health issues. Furthermore, animals are especially prone to gum diseases and infections, which can lead to chronic bad breath or organ functioning problems. In this article, we’ll go over why dental hygiene is so important for your dog and what you can do to ensure your pup’s dental health.
As we mentioned before, dental hygiene is important for keeping your dog healthy and happy. However, dental hygiene for dogs is significant in preventing against some of the most common canine health issues.
Plaque and Tartar Buildup
Regularly cleaning and brushing your pet’s teeth can prevent plaque and tartar buildup, which can lead to gum diseases, gingivitis, and chronic bad breath. If the problem worsens, it could lead to more serious health problems.
Heart, Liver, and Kidney Infections or Diseases
Tooth decay in dogs has been linked to heart, liver, and kidney disease and infection, which can be prevented with ongoing exams and cleanings. When you bring your pet in for an exam, the veterinarian will look at your pet’s teeth as an indicator of their general health. This can lead them to performing other tests that can assess organ functioning and other important health findings.
As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to ensure your dog’s health and oral hygiene; however, you’re not alone—your veterinarian can give you more specific tips on how to best care for your dog’s teeth.
While you certainly can teach an old dog new tricks, oral hygiene is best maintained when your pet has an established routine right from the beginning. When you first bring your puppy home, establishing a tooth-brushing routine with proper products is the best way to ensure dental health in the future.
Even though our pets love wet dog food, it tends to cake onto the teeth over time, creating more plaque and tartar buildup. Dry dog food, on the other hand, forces the dog to chew the food, which removes plaque and tartar as they eat. Furthermore, the consistency of the food keeps it from caking onto the teeth.
Similar to the benefits of dry dog kibble, keeping plenty of chew toys around the house for your dog to chew on can keep saliva production higher, which combats gum diseases and plaque buildup. Talk to your trusted vet about what chew toys are best for your pet.
It is usually recommended that dogs have their teeth cleaned at least once a year, depending on the dog’s oral health and brushing habits. Keeping your dog’s mouth clean can not only prevent serious health issues, but it can also keep your vet bills down. Expensive procedures related to oral hygiene are usually avoidable. Your vet can give you more information on the best way to care for your dog’s teeth.
Here at Dr. Ron’s Animal Hospital & Emergency, we have attended to a wide range of animal health issues, including oral hygiene-related occurrences. From the cities of Simi Valley, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Chatsworth, and other areas nearby Ventura County, our clients appreciate our bedside manner, our dedication to quality animal healthcare, and our commitment to providing affordable services. Dental hygiene is critical to your animal’s health, and we make it a point to check every animal’s teeth when an exam is scheduled. If you’d like to learn more about how to best care for your dog’s teeth, or would like to schedule a dental cleaning, please contact one of our helpful associates today. We know that your dogs are a part of your family, and we treat every patient as if they were our own family member.