‘Doggie breath’ will never be a scent included in a mainstream line of home fragrances or perfumes, as it’s never a pleasant smell. But if your dog’s breath is worse than usual and causing you to avoid being close to him, the putrid scent probably indicates dental disease. Cats displays other signs of dental disease, like drooling while they eat. To help prevent dental disease and keep your pet’s teeth healthy, follow these at home care tips.
Brush your Pet’s Teeth
Brushing your pet’s teeth two to three times per week prevents tarter buildup which leads to dental disease. If you don’t know the proper way to brush your pet’s teeth, ask your veterinarian to show you how to do it. Small breed dogs are at the greatest risk for developing tartar buildup and it’s imperative to their dental health to have regular brushings.
Dental Sticks and Chew Toys
Dental sticks and chews specifically designed to aid in removing tartar from a dog’s teeth help prevent dental disease, just be sure the product has the Veterinary Oral Health Council Seal of Acceptance (VOHC).
Certain brands of dry dog food are also formulated to remove tartar and/or help prevent tartar buildup on pet’s teeth, again look pet food products that have the VOHC acceptance seal to ensure the product meets certain oral health criteria.
Unfortunately nothing beats brushing your pet’s teeth to prevent dental disease, so in addition to dental sticks and other dental health promoting items, your pet will still need regular brushings.
Inspect Pet’s Mouth Monthly
Once a month, become your pet’s personal dental hygienist and do a thorough mouth inspection. Look for tartar buildup (brownish spots on the teeth close to the gum line), broken or loose teeth and red or swollen gums.
To inspect your pet’s mouth, there’s no need to attempt to force the mouth open, just pull lips up and down while the mouth is closed. This will give you good enough visual access to determine if there is any dental problems that need a closer look by the veterinarian.
Taking care of your pet’s teeth not only saves you money now and in the future, but also eliminates the undue stress the pet would undergo if a stranger provided the dental care.