The Importance Of Dental Care For Dogs And What You Can Do To Help Prevent Oral Pain
Keeping your dog healthy and happy means that you will also need to think about their oral hygiene. Therefore, it’s crucial to learn how to identify signs that your pet might be experiencing pain.
Also, you should focus on establishing healthy dental habits that will prevent serious problems from developing. If you don’t know how to recognize signs of your dog’s oral pain, this can lead to infection, which can be difficult to deal with. Today we will explore the importance of dental care for dogs and take a closer look at a few key things that you can start doing today to help prevent oral pain.
Take Your Dog To Annual Examinations
Looking after your dog’s dental health is similar to taking care of your own, as you will need to schedule annual oral examinations. This will allow your dog to have dental X-rays and cleanings done under general anesthesia. Examinations are the best way for your vet to take a better look at your dog’s gum line to see if there might be any issues that might arise.
Based on their findings, they might recommend a suitable treatment to help your dog manage oral pain and other symptoms they might be experiencing. Also, a vet will be able to remove tartar from your dog’s teeth to ensure that gums won’t start receding from the teeth.
Clean Your Dog’s Teeth
One of the most important things you can do to prevent oral diseases from developing is to clean your dog’s teeth regularly. However, with some dogs, this task might seem impossible, as it can be difficult to get them to open their mouth and let you brush their teeth.
Thankfully, cleaning your dog’s teeth doesn’t have to be complicated, as you can learn how to clean a dog’s teeth without brushing. Native Pet has put together a handy guide, covering some of the most common dental care alternatives, that can help you take care of your dog’s oral health.
Look Out For Symptoms
It can be difficult to know whether your dog is going through oral pain, because they might try to hide it. Therefore, it’s vital to be proactive and look out for symptoms which might indicate that something is wrong. For example, you may want to check for discolored teeth, loose teeth, or broken teeth.
Also, it can be a good idea to keep an eye out for lumps or bumps in their mouth. Be sure to consult a vet, if you notice that your pet is struggling to pick up food or they are only chewing on one side.
Give Them Dental Toys
When it comes to your dog’s chew time, it’s important to provide them with safe toys to chew on. You may want to look for rubbery toys that easily bend. It’s often recommended to stay away from hard treats and toys, as well as animal bones of any kind. For best results, you should find suitable dog dental toys. This way, your furry friend will be improving their dental health while being distracted. These types of toys can help remove some of the plaque from your dog’s teeth.
Prevent Bad Breath
If you notice that your dog has bad breath, this can be a sign that bacteria is building up. This means that you should take steps to prevent that odor from developing. Make sure that food participles don’t cling to their teeth. There are various things that can cause bad breath, so it’s important to be careful. For example, some diets might cause bad breath, so you may want to switch things up a bit. However, if your dog is also feeling unwell, it’s better to take them to the vet straightaway.
Feed Them Good-Quality Food
Another key factor to consider is the type of food that you are feeding your dog every day. It’s best to look for high-quality ingredients, which can support your dog’s health. You may also want to speak to your vet to determine if there is a diet that your dog should follow to reduce the chances of developing oral issues.
For example, they might suggest feeding your dog foods with additives, which can prevent plaque from hardening. Also, it’s important to look for foods, which can help strengthen their teeth, such as bone broth.
Find The Right Pain Medications
Seeing your pet in pain can be one of the worst things to go through, so it makes sense that you would want them to feel better as soon as possible. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t try to guess what might be happening. Take your dog to the vet and provide them with all the information you have. This way, you can find the right pain medications for your dog.
Remember to ask for a written copy of the prescriptions, as well as any instructions you need to follow. If you are considering giving your pet any medications or supplements, it’s always recommended to consult your vet first.
