Is one of your New Year resolutions to improve your health? If so, you might add your pet to that resolution, since your canine companion's health is in your hands. Pet care means more than simply feeding your dogs and giving them a safe home. Responsible pet owners also keep an eye on preventative health concerns: They think about how they can help their furry friends lead healthy and comfortable lives. Dental care is a major factor in keeping your dog healthy and happy, and you don't even need to spend a lot of time doing it. With a little planning and the right tools, you can help your dog enjoy better dental health in 2017.
Pet Dental Care Simplified
There are four health habits for preventing dental disease in your dog in 2017. Intermountain Pet Hospital's Dr. Brett Bingham outlines these healthy choices in a short video that you can watch here. Here's a synopsis of what Dr. Bingham shares.
1. Brushing
The most effective and important healthy habit is daily brushing. Brushing is effective against 80% of dental disease, preventing decay and severe gum problems that could plague your dog without proper care. Brushing should be done daily to be effective. Choose a flavored toothpaste to make the process more enjoyable for your dog and easier on you. Read our blog post about training your dog to accept tooth brushing here.
2. Dental Chews
Next up: dental chews. There are many of these helpful treats available on the market today, and they're about 70% effective against dental disease. Dental chews use wax sealant to protect your dog's teeth. It's important to choose a high-quality dental chew to ensure your dog's dental health.
3. Water Additives
Some pet owners notice that their dogs don't prefer to chew. Because of that, they steer clear of dental chews. Water additives can be a good alternative to augment your regular daily brushing routine, and dogs enjoy this option. Dental water additives can help prevent bacteria growth in your dog's mouth and stop dental disease in its tracks.
4. Dental Diets
Finally, at only 39% effectiveness, dental diets are the last option on our list. If your dog won't allow you to brush his or her teeth and won't chew, you could choose this as an alternative. Dental diets are available in many different brands, but you must give them to your dogs as their only diet. In other words, you can't give them regular food and make the dental diets a treat. If you do, the diets won't even hit that 39% effectiveness.
Preventative dental care is essential to keeping your pet healthy and happy in 2017. If you'd like more information about preventative dental care or would like to schedule a dental appointment for your dog, click here..
