Happy Dogs Have Healthy Teeth

1. Happy Dogs Have Healthy Teeth Much as their owners, dogs, whose teeth are healthy, clean and strong, are happy if there are no problems with their health. This means the owner has a responsibility to ensure the animal’s teeth are looked after in a way that the owner understands since, obviously, the animal has no understanding. This applies, obviously, whether you live in Chicago, Boulder, Denver or Greely, Colorado. And when owners notice their dog being unhappy, when they refuse to eat, when they show signs of discomfort when they want to bite into food, there is probably one reason only: the animal suffers from dental problems. It is true that very old animals will indeed suffer from loose teeth, or broken teeth or just general bad teeth – which you may pick up too because the animal has bad breath. Owners can do a lot to help prevent most of these – or at least the early onset of – dental problems. By following your own regimen, you can, indeed, help to protect your dog’s teeth for as long as possible by making sure you look after his/her oral hygiene before the inevitable (old age) may make it more difficult. Estimates show that issues such as, for example, canine periodontal disease set in in a great majority of dogs before they reach age three. Very often owners miss the signs, which are normally presented as bad breath, simply because they think that dogs “have bead breath”, because of their habits. Bad breath, however, is a tell-tale sign that the animal’s teeth may not be in good condition. Once teeth are bad, and start falling out, or cause discomfort for your dog, the animal may start suffering from other conditions too. So, it is important to be on the lookout for signs of bad teeth before the problem becomes serious. What can owners do to help protect dogs’ teeth from decay? Brushing– This is a very effective way to help make sure their teeth stay healthy for as long as possible. At first they may hate you for it, but after they get used to the idea, they start to relax and accept it. Ask your veterinarian about toothpastes for dogs – not human toothpaste, as they contain ingredients that are not good for animals – and proceed. They come in flavors that the pet may like, for example chicken. Use a dog toothbrush, or a brush that fits over your finger tip. That way you minimize the risk of being scratched by their teeth. You do not have to do this every day, but do it regularly. Wipes – Should brushing be too traumatic, for either the dog or owner, try dental wipes for dogs which can be a great alternative. These wipes help to remove plaque buildup; however, they will not reach those areas of the teeth where rotting food collects in corners of the mouth and teeth. They may be less effective, but they are a good alternative. Chews– Talk to your veterinarian about the many different options in this regard. You can buy these from the vet or pet shops. Examples of chews that dogs just love, include chews made from meat, or cow ears, certain chewy sticks and a few more. The act of simply chewing on something, already helps with cleaning the teeth as the saliva helps to clean the teeth. You may also want to get your dog some rubber chew toys. All of these are good examples to help keep the dog’s teeth clean. Treats – Certain dental treats, specifically made for this purpose, are excellent to help control plaque buildup. They also contain ingredients that help make the pet’s breath smell fresh. The veterinarian will be able to offer advice. Visit The Vet – It is imperative you take your pet to the vet for a thorough check-up from time to time, during which visits the veterinarian will make sure that the dog’s teeth are checked, and dental cleaning suggested when that becomes necessary. Depending on how serious any problems may be, or how aggressive the animal, the veterinarian may decide to perform a thorough cleaning under anesthesia to remove plaque and tartar, and extract teeth that cannot be saved. The above gives a few tips, which are easy to follow. Owners owe it to their dogs (and cats) to make sure their teeth are looked after. About Us At Powell Veterinary Service we offer all pet owners almost 30 years of dedicated, unrivalled service to ensure their pets remain healthy and happy. We offer great experience and are proud of the services we offer regarding all aspects of animal care. We perform surgeries, we spay and neuter, we offer boarding facilities and we provide puppies for different activities that appeal to our clients. At PVS we also offer a wellness service for pets to ensure any conditions are picked up early. We are Kersey, CO based and serve the surrounding areas. We are available by appointment, but also for emergency situations. Pets are our passion and we ensure that your animal receives excellent treatment from our practice. For more about us please visit https://powellvets.com/.