4 Doggy Dental Care Tips for Pet Owners
28 June 2017
Brushing early
Like children, pets are quick to settle into a routine and don’t appreciate changes to it. As such, it’s a good idea to introduce your dog to teeth brushing as a puppy. Older dogs might not like the sensation but if you start brushing those little gnashers from a young age, they’ll know it’s perfectly normal.
Our experts recommend brushing every day, but if that’s not possible, a brush at least 3-4 times a week should be enough to keep them squeaky clean.
Reward Them
Rewards are useful when it comes to introducing a dental care routine like brushing, so why not tell them how good they’ve been with a Dentalife Daily Oral Care Chew Stick? They’ll love the tasty chicken flavour, and their teeth will love the TLC.
Dry Food
Intuition suggests that harder dry dog food might be more harmful to teeth and gums but in fact the opposite is the case.
Soft, wet food tends to stick to your dog’s teeth, exposing them to harmful bacteria for longer and increasing the risk of tooth decay. On the other hand, dry and crunchy food will help scrape away plaque and tartar.
B&M Top Tip: we stock a wide variety of dry dog food from the biggest brands on the market, like Bakers from Purina. You can browse our Dog Food range online.
Spotting the signs
Early preventative steps like brushing and chewing Dentalife Daily Oral Care Sticks are vital for a healthy dog, but sometimes the worst can happen. Examining your dog’s mouth frequently for signs of oral disease will help you catch any niggling problems early, before they get any worse.
Does your dog have bad breath? Are their gum’s swollen? Do they drool a lot? These could be signs of gingivitis or other oral infections and spotting them early is vital. Here are some warning signs which should prompt a visit to the vet should you spot any:
- Bad breath
- Swollen, inflamed or lumpy gums
- Excessive drooling (more than usual)
- Dropping food when they eat
- Discoloured or fractured teeth
Do you have any dog care tips of your own? Share your experiences with the B&M Community on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!
*Our tips are for guidance only. If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your pet, please seek professional veterinary advice immediately.
