Taking care of your dog's teeth is as important as playing fetch with him/her. Most people do not know how to properly care for their dog's teeth and because of this, more than 80% of dogs by age 3 develop some sort of oral disease. These oral diseases can cause more than just bad breath; they can affect your dog's kidneys, liver and heart. MediVet and other online pet shops offer plenty of home health care products and tips for your dog's teeth.
Take Your Dog for Dental Exams
You should take your puppy to the vet for an exam immediately upon acquiring him/her; this way the vet can check the dog's bite and look for any problems. Bite abnormalities can usually be corrected if noticed before six months of age. At this point, annual exams should be fine as long as you care for your dog's teeth at home and have shown no signs of problems. Below is a list of some of the common problems you should look for:
* Yellow or brown tartar build up
* Bleeding
* Foul breath
* Red inflamed and irritated looking gums
* Hard time chewing
* Change in eating habits
* Pawing at the mouth
Home Care
Just like you, your dog needs dental care. To help prevent any problems, your dog's teeth should be part of his/her regular maintenance at home. This should not take the place of regular dental exams by a vet; your dog will still require annual checkups and exams to ensure proper teeth health.
Brushing Your Dog's Teeth
If you start your dog out early, brushing their teeth will not be so stressful. You should be brushing their teeth daily to ensure they do not have left over food particles in between their teeth and gums and that plaque and tartar build up is removed. You should purchase pet toothpaste; if you try to use Crest or Colgate, you may find that your dog's stomach gets upset. Some pets are highly sensitive about having a toothbrush stuck in their mouth; you may have to work harder at gaining the dog's trust to be able to do this without stress.
Specialty Foods
Your vet should be able to give you a list of foods that enhance oral health. A special diet for your pet might increase their overall oral health and prevent any issues.
Chew Products
For the stubborn dog who refuses to allow you to brush his/her teeth, chew toys are a great way to remove plaque and tartar build up without them realizing it. Be sure to ask your vet for a recommended list of the items and products they use. The best ones are usually softer, this way it avoids any damage to the gums. Even if you are able to brush your dog's teeth, the chew toys are a great way to add even more protection for their teeth.
To find MediVet coupons, visit UltimateCoupons.com
Take Your Dog for Dental Exams
You should take your puppy to the vet for an exam immediately upon acquiring him/her; this way the vet can check the dog's bite and look for any problems. Bite abnormalities can usually be corrected if noticed before six months of age. At this point, annual exams should be fine as long as you care for your dog's teeth at home and have shown no signs of problems. Below is a list of some of the common problems you should look for:
* Yellow or brown tartar build up
* Bleeding
* Foul breath
* Red inflamed and irritated looking gums
* Hard time chewing
* Change in eating habits
* Pawing at the mouth
Home Care
Just like you, your dog needs dental care. To help prevent any problems, your dog's teeth should be part of his/her regular maintenance at home. This should not take the place of regular dental exams by a vet; your dog will still require annual checkups and exams to ensure proper teeth health.
Brushing Your Dog's Teeth
If you start your dog out early, brushing their teeth will not be so stressful. You should be brushing their teeth daily to ensure they do not have left over food particles in between their teeth and gums and that plaque and tartar build up is removed. You should purchase pet toothpaste; if you try to use Crest or Colgate, you may find that your dog's stomach gets upset. Some pets are highly sensitive about having a toothbrush stuck in their mouth; you may have to work harder at gaining the dog's trust to be able to do this without stress.
Specialty Foods
Your vet should be able to give you a list of foods that enhance oral health. A special diet for your pet might increase their overall oral health and prevent any issues.
Chew Products
For the stubborn dog who refuses to allow you to brush his/her teeth, chew toys are a great way to remove plaque and tartar build up without them realizing it. Be sure to ask your vet for a recommended list of the items and products they use. The best ones are usually softer, this way it avoids any damage to the gums. Even if you are able to brush your dog's teeth, the chew toys are a great way to add even more protection for their teeth.
To find MediVet coupons, visit UltimateCoupons.com