Dental health is often overlooked when evaluating the overall health of your dog. In fact, “doggie breath” is not normal and it can be an early warning sign of something more serious, just like bad breath in humans is an indicator of something more.
So maybe you have scoffed at doggie toothbrushes and peanut butter-flavored toothpaste. But scoff not. Or maybe you have just accepted the fact that every two years or so you leave your pooch at the vet for a day to be put under while tough plaque is removed. Not acceptable! Sure, you may have the small percentage of healthy dogs who have been dealt a bummer set of choppers, but most likely you can regain control.
Regular – meaning weekly or more often – brushing can go a long way towards ensuring health. Use it as a bonding excuse rather than a chore and build trust between you and your dog. You may have to start slowly by letting them get used to the flavor of the toothpaste or just having your finger rubbing against his teeth. Start slow and build trust.
Once you have the hang of it, add a toothbrush to the mix. There are even some that fit over your finger for more control so you don’t accidentally jam your dog’s gum with a hunk of plastic (I mean, not that I’ve ever done such a thing!).
My personal preference is to make sure Karma has lots of different surfaces on which to chew. Crunchy treats, edible, organic bones and even store-bought dental treats ensure his teeth are getting the same workout they would in the wild. Karma is on a raw diet so that means every once in a while he gets something totally disgusting like a turkey neck (I say, “ick!,” he says, “Nom!”).
I can honestly say that by changing his diet and being conscious of his choppers, Karma’s plaque has decreased and his doggie smile is even brighter.
