DENTAL HEALTH: A happy dog starts with healthy toofers
Your dog's dental health can really affect their whole body, and it's not always obvious how you can maintain good oral hygiene practices so that they don't develop any tooth pain or health conditions later in life. The v-dog team wants to help, so we've gathered all the information you need here to help you with your furry friend's toofers.
What is dental health?
Dental hygiene is super important to your dog’s overall health. Neglecting your furry friend’s dental hygiene can result in costly and dangerous medical procedures later in life, not to mention prolonged pain due to infections, tooth loss, and other lifestyle problems for your canine companion.
Sometimes after a long day, it’s hard enough to motivate yourself to brush your own teeth, and now suddenly, you’re supposed to brush your dog’s teeth and check up on their oral hygiene. The short answer is yes, but taking care of their mouth doesn’t have to be such a chore for you or your dog.
And besides, who doesn’t want to smooch a pooch with fresh breath?
How can you take care of your dog's teeth?
Gently brushing your dog’s teeth on a daily basis is the best way to remove plaque and prevent the buildup of tartar over the years. Even brushing their teeth once a week will make a world of difference, and you can easily get in the habit of brushing their teeth whenever you have the time.
Including a daily dental chew like the v-dog breathbones is also an easy and enjoyable way to boost your pup's dental hygiene routine.
The v-dog team has also put together a very simple recipe so that you can make your own healthy, tasty, and pet-safe toothpaste that won’t send your dog running when you get the toothbrush out. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create your own jar of yummy toothpaste that dogs can’t seem to resist.
Make sure your dog is calm and relaxed when you brush their teeth. You want to establish a quick daily (or weekly) routine that works for both you and your dog, and after a couple weeks, your dog will start to look forward to the ritual. A few minutes in the morning can really make all the difference to your pup’s dental health…and their morning breath.
You can also invest in chew toys for your dog that will help them clean their own teeth. Smear some of your homemade toothpaste on certain toys, and your dog will be in hog heaven as they tend to their own teeth. It’s a win-win, and you can rest easy knowing that the future of your furry friend’s mouth is safe.
WARNING: Do not use any human toothpaste product on your furry friend’s teeth since these products can be harmful and toxic to dogs if swallowed.
What ingredients improve your dog's dental health?
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is natural antibacterial and antifungal, so this ingredient helps consistently fight cavities. Plus our canine companions just love the taste so much.
Diatomaceous Earth
Food-grade diatomaceous earth is fossilized algae (and completely vegan), and this ingredient adds the grit you need for a quality toothpaste, which in turn aids in whitening teeth and removing plaque deposits that can contribute to tooth decay. Miraculously, this ingredient also helps eliminate intestinal worms and kill parasites. (We do NOT use baking soda. Baking soda can be harmful to dogs if ingested in large enough quantities, so be careful not to overdo it if you use toothpaste with this ingredient.)
Parsley
Parsley, which we use in our breathbones, acts as a breath freshener and can also help treat arthritis and urinary tract infections in senior dogs.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon, another ingredient in our breathbones, is high in antioxidants, and it helps alleviate inflammation and fight infections.
Conclusion
Keeping your dog healthy is the most important thing, and their oral hygiene is a big influence on their overall well-being as they grow up. We also recommend you talk to your veterinarian if you are concerned about any potential issues with your dog’s dental hygiene. However, in short, developing a simple care routine with your canine companion is an investment in the long and happy future you’ll have together.
