National Smile Month: Keep your dog’s teeth clean and healthy

Did you know that by the age of three, 80% of dogs will suffer from some form of gum disease?

There are certain breeds of dog that are more prone to dental disease, these include, Pugs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Dachshund, Boxer, Toy Breeds and English Bulldog.

Healthy teeth and gums in dogs are important as poor dental care doesn’t just affect your pet’s mouth, the bacteria generated by gum disease could eventually enter their bloodstream and potentially damage their heart liver or kidneys.

13th May to 13th June is National Smile Month and it’s just as important to look after your dog’s teeth.

Lianne O’Boyle RVN, from Nutravet explains: “Dog’s teeth have a lot of work to do, they use their mouth for more than just eating, they use them to play explore and taste. If your dog’s teeth aren’t properly cared for, it can cause problems.”

“When your dog or cat has healthy teeth and gums, they can get the most out of their food, crunching every delicious mouthful as they go, but if their teeth hurt, they’ll soon go off their meals and their metabolism will suffer.”

To help take care of your pooch’s pearly whites, Nutravet share their top tips:

Teeth brushing
Brushing your dog’s teeth regularly is the best way to keep their teeth clean and healthy. Start from an early age to get them used to a routine. Cleaning their teeth is an important part of maintaining your pet’s dental care to help provide optimum health and quality of life. Make sure you use a toothpaste that is safe for dogs. Never use human toothpaste as that is toxic for dogs.

Toys
You can buy your dog toys that are designed to clean your dog’s teeth as they chew on them. Be careful not to get toys that are too small and can be swallowed and get caught in your dog’s throat.

Dental chews
Dental chews or treats and specialist foods can also help to keep your pet’s mouth healthy. Be careful not to feed them too many of these, include them in their daily calorie intake to prevent any unwanted weight gain.

Treats
Don’t feed them too many sugary treats, as this can cause more bacteria to build up on your pet’s teeth.

Bones
Don’t feed your dog bones as these can damage their teeth. Bones can also break into splinters which can damage their gums and throat.

Visit your vet
Regular vet visits can allow them to keep an eye on your pet’s oral health, as well as other health issues that may arise. Often practices run Vet Nurse clinics to discuss preventative care and share advice.

Natural teeth plaque remover
Use a natural supplement like Nutraplaque which can be used alongside teeth brushing and provides an advanced double action formula to help aid oral health and hygiene by systematically working against bad breath, tartar and plaque for healthy teeth and gums.

The specially selected patented Norwegian seaweed within Nutraplaque has been shown to reduce plaque build-up by 35% after just 4 weeks use.

For more information and tips visit www.nutravet.co.uk