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Updated: Jul 3rd, 2007 - 21:31:17 |
You watch your dog chewing a bone that that would probably shatter your own teeth and you have to believe that your dog's teeth are indestructible. Unfortunately, they aren't. Just like people, dogs can contract dental disease and dental care is as important to your dog's health as it is to your's. Your vet can help with dental care but there are a host of products on the market that can help you keep your dog's teeth healthy at home. Home dental care products for dogs fall into three different categories: dental treats and chews, dental toys, and toothpastes and cleansers. Fortunately if your dog can't seem to accept one option you can try another.
A lot of manufacturer's are now making dental treats and chews. If your dog is a chewer, dental chews can be very effective. In fact, the simple act of chewing can help keep your dog's teeth clean so dental toys are a longer lasting alternative. Some of the best choices in chews are the various varieties of Nylabones®. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit your dog's needs. I have one four-year-old dog that is an avid Nylabone chewer and has amazingly tartar free teeth. His two-year-old "sister" is a random chewer and she is already starting to build up tartar. So for my money, if your dog is interested in them, Nylabones are the way to go.
Another good option is rope toys. These are softer for less aggressive chewers and act as floss for dogs. You can buy rope toys in multiple sizes and some even have specialized flossing and breath freshening fibers. One caveat - only buy good quality rope toys found in a pet store because cheaper ropes leave threads all over your house and probably don't do much for your dog's teeth.
If your dog is not much of a chewer you can turn to any number of biscuits and treats on the market that specifically target dental health. You can try Nutro Tartar Control Biscuits, Iams Tartar Treats or any number of specialty treats designed with oral care in mind. If you can't get to the pet store you can pick up Pedigree® Dentabones® or similar products right at your grocery store.
One final option, if you choose, is to act as your dog's dentist at home. You can brush your dog's teeth with toothpastes made especially for dogs. I use the Petrodex® dental kit, which comes with both a regular style toothbrush and a finger tip brush. Most dogs need to get used to having their teeth brushed and sometimes the finger tip brush is less intimidating. A lot of manufacturers offer similar kits, readily available in pet stores. If you just can't get your dog to sit still or tolerate brushing you can try dental wipes. They aren't as effective as brushing but they can remove bacteria from your dog's mouth that can cause tartar and decay.
Whatever you choose to use at home, just remember that it is still important to have your vet look at your dog's teeth as part of his/her routine check-up!
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