Dog Dental Health: Ask Dr. Jeff
We all know we have to brush our teeth twice a day, but did you know your dog needs to have their pearly whites brushed daily as well?
Dental hygiene is extremely important because if their teeth are neglected, it can lead to a myriad of issues, including heart valve disease and kidney filtration disease, among others. The bacteria that builds up in your dogs mouth can reach these different areas of your dogs body and make them very sick... and it's all preventable!
Did You Know?
Did you know that 75% of dogs and cats over the age of 3 already have some degree of periodontal disease?
We asked Fi's vet expert, Dr. Jeff, to share some more information about this topic, as well as show us some tips for brushing your dogs teeth:
Dr. Jeff's Tooth Brush Tips:
- Start when they're young - even though your puppy may not need it yet, it's a good idea to start early so they get used to the process.
- Get them in a comfortable position and approach them from behind - approaching them head on can be overwhelming and may make them more nervous or weary.
- Start by using your finger as a tooth brush - get them used to the sensation by massaging their gums with your finger first, and reward them afterwards with a treat, or even a nice walk!
- Keep sessions short at first, and work your way up to a full brushing - begin by brushing their teeth for only 10 seconds and over time, you can work your way up to a full minute of brushing!
- Graduate to a finger brush or toothbrush once you dog is comfortable with the process.
- Always reward and praise them for good behavior!