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My Dog Has Halitosis!
My Dog Has Halitosis!
Ahhh, there's nothing like sweet little puppy kisses being
planted all over your face. But, is Poochie's breath bad
enough to knock you out?
by Sheri Huttner
June 14, 2004
The care of your dog's teeth should begin the day you get
him, not when problems develop. Certain breeds, particularly
the smaller ones, are prone to dental problems, so extra preventative
care should be taken.
Giving your puppy hard biscuits such as MilkBone is a good
start. Many companies make similar biscuits, so your dog can
have a nice variety. Hard chew toys are great, too. The important
thing is to get the dog into the habit of chewing hard and
crunchy things which will act as a "toothbrush" to keep the
teeth strong and free of tartar.
The food you feed your dog can play an important part in
your dog's dental health, as well. I have always fed my dogs
dry food with an occasional can of food as a treat. Never
mix dry and canned food, as that defeats the purpose by turning
the dry food soft. My motto: 'Feed your dog mush and his teeth
will turn to mush.' In fact, one of the reasons the smaller
breeds often have dental problems is because owners tend to
feed them canned food, feeling they are "pampering" them.
Pet stores sell tooth brushing kits for dogs. Do they work?
Well, it can't hurt, and if you begin a tooth brushing regimen
when the dog is young....BEFORE tartar develops, it certainly
can help prevent future problems. Once tartar develops, brushing
won't have much of an effect. At that point, it's time to
take the dog to the vet.
Many of my dog grooming clients ask me if I can clean their
dog's teeth. Teeth cleaning requires that the dog be heavily
sedated. It also requires special tools, the same as your
own dentist would use. Only a veterinarian has the expertise
to do this. When you bring your dog to the vet for his regular
visits, he should always examine the dog's teeth and gums.
In between visits, you should periodically check the dog's
mouth for signs of tartar and anything irregular. The first
thing most people usually notice is bad doggie breath. By
then, the tartar is often at an advanced stage, sometimes
so bad that teeth must be extracted.
When looking in your dog's mouth, look for green and/or brown
stains, or a crust-like matter on the teeth. If you see visible
signs of tartar, swelling or discoloration of the gums, or
anything that doesn't look quite right, make an appointment
with your vet. Poor dental hygiene can lead to infection and
other more serious health problems for your pets.
- Sheri Huttner
Sheri Huttner is the owner/operator of a successful
dog grooming shop, and provides personalized home boarding
for her clients. She operates the website, www.dogparlor.com,
where she writes articles about caring for your dog.
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