As a good pet owner, you spend so much money making sure your dog is healthy. You take him to the vet, you make sure he gets regular exercise, and you give him high quality food. But what about his teeth? Is Dog teeth brushing important? Are you doing everything you can to make sure your dog’s oral hygiene is taken care of? Regular dental care is as important to your dog, as it is to you. While there are dog treats that you can buy that help to keep your dog’s teeth clean and his breath fresh, nothing beats regular tooth brushing.
It’s all a matter of routine. Most people brush their teeth in the morning and in the evening. Just remember to include your dog’s teeth in the routine. And when you’re all done, remember to give your pet a reward. He’ll soon grow to love the brushing. Or at the very least he’ll tolerate it, but he’ll love the treat after it!
Why Should You Brush Your Dog’s Teeth?
If your dog has a sore paw, you can tell because he’ll favor it. But if a dog has a tooth ache, there isn’t any way to tell. He probably won’t stop eating, and unfortunately the problem can go from bad to worse. But if you’re brushing your dog’s teeth, you’ll be able to see if there are any problems in his mouth, including broken or cracked teeth, or other problems. Left untreated, dental problems in your dog can lead to gum disease. Ongoing infections can lead to liver, kidney and heart problems in your dog.
How to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth
Begin by putting a little bit of toothpaste on the brush and letting him lick it off. Give him a chance to get familiar with both the toothpaste and the brush. From there, try brushing gently for a few seconds. You’re going to want to repeat this process for several weeks to give your pup a chance to get used to the process.
When you and your dog are both confident in the process it’s time to start really bushing. Carefully raise your dog’s lips to expose the teeth and the gums. Carefully and gently begin brushing from the gum line up to the tip of the tooth. Don’t try opening your dog’s mouth. This could cause him to panic and make tooth brushing traumatic for both him and you. When you brush, make sure you brush in little circles, exerting gentle pressure.
As with people, pets can often have problems in the back teeth and in their upper teeth. Make sure to get them brushed as well. Don’t just focus on the front teeth!
How to make dog toothpaste at home?
Homemade dog toothpaste is easy to make. They don’t take long to prepare and can be made with ingredients that are easy to find. You may already have them at home. They can be stored in the refrigerator for easy access. What’s more, because you’re making them at home, you know every ingredient that is in there!
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You can scour the internet and find many different recipes for doggie toothpaste. Here are a few to get you started on your way to healthy dog oral hygiene.
Turmeric Paste
Ingredients:
Coconut Oil
Turmeric
Kelp
Parsley Flakes
Make sure the coconut oil is soft and pliable. Mix in the turmeric, which acts as a natural whitener for Spot’s teeth. Add in the kelp and the parsley flakes. The kelp is a natural abrasive to remove plaque, and the parsley helps to keep your dog’s breath fresh. Store in the refrigerator.
Beefy Paste
Ingredients:
Coconut Oil
Beef Bullion
Baking Soda
Cinnamon
Melt a bullion cube in a little bit of water. Stir in the backing soda which acts as a natural abrasive to remove the plaque and a whitener. Add in the cinnamon which will help to make Rover’s breath nice and fresh. Finally add the coconut oil and mix all together well. Make sure to label this one. The cinnamon makes it smell like a yummy treat, but it probably won’t taste to good to the human members of your family.
While it’s not something you normally think about as a pet owner, oral hygiene is just as important as vet check ups and grooming for your dog. If you opt for professional grooming, they’ll probably take care of your pet’s teeth as well. But you will be missing out on a a great opportunity for bonding with your dog and saving a lot of money at the same time. You can just pickup a good pair of dog clippers and some brushes etc still not sure how to just visit our guide to best dog clippers at https://shihtzuexpert.com/best-clippers-for-shih-tzu/
Now you have strategies to take on the task in between grooming. If regular tooth brushing hasn’t been a part of your daily dog routine, it will take a while to make your pet feel comfortable and secure, but the time spent is well worth it.
