My Shiny-Teeth Ruby
How to Keep Your Dog's Teeth Clean and Healthy
Kobe showing off his pearly-whites.
Routine dental cleaning is essential for your pup's overall well-being. Here are Ruby's tips to maintain your Pup's oral hygiene:
Regular Brushing: Ideally, we should brush our pups' teeth ~3 times a week. Brushing helps prevent plaque and tartar buildup. Ruby uses an electric tooth and a tiny dot of fluoride-free tooth paste. Your pup will likely end up swallowing a good amount of toothpaste so we cannot use any paste with fluoride (toxic if swallowed especially for dogs). Gradually introduce toothbrushing to your dog, starting with short sessions and rewarding them with praise or treats. Like most "tricks/tasks" the earlier your start, the easier it will be to get your pup to listen. We started brushing Ruby's teeth when she was 6! So even adults can learn too if your are calm & patient.
Dental Chews & Toys: Ruby loves her benebones! They are a great toy because they not only entertain your Pup, but also help keep their teeth strong and plaque-free. The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal, indicates that particular toys have been tested and proven to promote dental health, and Ruby swears by her benebones - especially the one with the handles!
Dental Diet: Diet is a good accessory tool to maintain your Pup's health. A balanced-diet that ensures your Pup is getting all of their essential nutrients. Additionally, mint bones can help mask the bad-breath that comes along with dental decay.
Look-out for Issues & Veterinary Check-ups: Bad breath, swollen gums, excessive drooling, difficulty eating, or tooth discoloration are your red flags. If you notice any of these investigate and contact your veterinarian to do a dental check-up at your next visit. They can assess your dog's oral health, perform professional cleanings/tooth removal if necessary, and provide advice on at-home dental care. Regular check-ups are key to catch any dental issues early on and prevent more significant problems.
Water Additives & Oral Rinses: Digging deeper into our bag of tips, these tools are helpful to freshen breath in more extreme bad-breath cases. Consult with your veterinarian to determine if these products are suitable for your dog and how to use them effectively.
No Table Food: Table food, especially sugary and starchy foods, can contribute to dental problems in dogs. These sugary foods promote plaque and tartar buildup.
Every Pup is unique and their dental care needs may vary. This tips will help your Pup's dental health progress. Consistency and low stress are imperative! We always want to do the best for your Pup, so do not put too much pressure on either of you. Puppy-steps will get you there eventually!
Thank you for reading! Sending out Fresh Kisses to all of you, peace out Pups!