Protect Your Dog’s Dental Health with 5 Tips!
February is Pet Dental Health Month!
Your dog’s dental health is critical to his overall health!
Protect your dog’s dental health with the 5 tips below.
The Importance of Your Dog’s Dental Health
Staying on top of your canine’s dental health will protect his pearly whites and help prevent related issues with his liver, kidneys and heart.
Sadly, “over 80% of dogs over the age of three have active dental disease,” according to the VCA Animal Hospitals.
But K9 dental disease is preventable!
“Gum disease, also called periodontal disease,
happens 5 times more often in dogs than in people.”
(Colleen O’Morrow, DVM)
Your Dog’s Dental Health: How Periodontal Disease Begins
Gum (gingiva) disease begins quietly in the mouth. Without regular brushing or cleaning, lingering bacteria create infection and inflammation in the tissues surrounding the tooth (the periodontium). Inflamed gums (gingivitis) are a sure sign of infection.
If left alone, plaque will develop (due to minerals in the saliva) and can harden in just 2-3 days! But the real damage begins when the calcified plaque (known as tartar or calculus) extends beneath the gum line.
Watch the AVMA video on Periodontal Disease here.
Your Dog’s Dental Health: The Signs
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), canine parents need to check in immediately with their veterinarian for any of these oral health issues:
- Bad breath (known as halitosis).
- Discolored teeth (brown or yellow).
- Broken, loose, missing or infected teeth.
- Abscesses, bumps, lumps, cysts or tumors.
- Broken or fractured jaw or bone loss.
- Receding, red or bleeding gums.
Dogs often try to hide pain or injuries, so look for other subtle symptoms including:
- Loss of appetite and/or weight loss.
- Does not want their head touched.
- Refuses treats or their regular food.
- Avoids chewing or favors one side of the mouth.
- Excessive drooling.
- Saliva that is “ropey” or bloody.
- Blood in the water bowl or on chew toys.
- The tendency to hide or self-isolate.
But again, K9 dental disease is preventable with the 5 tips below!
Protect Your Dog’s Dental Health with 5 Tips
- Feed your dog high-quality dog food! Poor nutrition can lead to periodontal disease.
- Help decrease bacteria with water additives. (Use alcohol-free products because alcohol is toxic to dogs.)
- Brush your dog’s teeth daily to help eliminate bacteria and plaque. Use a size-appropriate dog toothbrush or finger brush and only dog-friendly toothpaste. (Never use potentially toxic human toothpaste!)
- Get regular annual dental exams for your dog. Early detection and intervention are critical in protecting their dental health, preventing related health issues and chronic pain.
- Encourage your dog to chew on safe toys and bones. Chewing not only relaxes your dog but helps them naturally clean their teeth! Our natural Dog Bully Sticks and Dog Chews come in the perfect size for your dog and their chewing pleasure! Always supervise your dog’s chewing for their safety.
What is the correct-sized bully stick?
An appropriately sized bully stick is commonly finished
in an hour or two for most dogs!
We make the Best Bully Sticks, Dog Treats and Chews for dogs of all breeds and sizes!
We believe dogs are part of the family and it’s why we make all our products with the finest, most nutritional ingredients for happy and healthy dogs!
Shop Today at DogBullySticks.com!
FREE shipping on orders over $50!