Pet's teeth have a lot of work to do â dogs use their mouths for more than just eating, they use them to play, explore and taste a lot of their surroundings too.
If your dogâs teeth arenât properly cared for, it can cause problems.
February is Pet Dental Month and the experts at natural pet supplement manufacturer nutravet have used the opportuniaty to share their top tips to help look after petâs teeth.
Registered Veterinary Nurse Korina Stephens said: âBy the age of three, 80 per cent of dogs have developed some form of periodontal disease.
"Poor dental care doesnât just affect your petâs mouth, the bacteria generated by gum disease could eventually enter their bloodstream and potentially damage their heart liver or kidneys.
âWhen your pet 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, theyâll soon go off their meals and their metabolism will suffer.â
Here are 11 tips to help brushing and maintaining dental health.
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1. Patience is a virtue
Brushing your petâs teeth regularly is the best way to keep their teeth clean and healthy. Be patient and get them used to having their teeth cleaned over a few weeks. Let them taste their dog safe toothpaste so they think of brushing their teeth as a treat not a chore.
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2. Take it in stages
You can help to get your dog used to having their mouth touched by gently rubbing a soft cloth along their gums. Gradually move on by using a brush that fits over your finger. This will help to get your dog used to the feeling of their teeth being brushed.
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3. Choose the right brush
Cleaning your dogâs teeth is an important part of maintaining your petâs dental care to help provide optimum health and quality of life. When your dog is ready, use a proper dog toothbrush with a longer handle, which will help you reach all their teeth.
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4. Treats work
After each session reward your dog with a treat or praise and be sure to follow this same routine to get your dog comfortable with teeth brushing.
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