16 September 2024
Dental hygiene is an important part of any dog’s health, and something all owners should be aware of. Although dogs’ teeth do not require daily brushing in the same way as humans, good dental hygiene is still relatively easy to maintain. We recommend a healthy diet as the best starting point, with raw feeds being most conducive to promoting dental hygiene given their lower carbohydrate and sugar content. If a raw diet is not practical, your vet should be able to advise on other dental-friendly alternatives.
Tooth decay and poor dental hygiene become more of a risk if plaque is allowed to build up and turn into tartar. Apart from semi-regular brushing sessions, chew toys are an excellent way to remove plaque. As it utilises dogs’ natural desire to chew and explore with their mouths, we find this to be one of the best ways to promote good dental hygiene. Certain chew toys are specifically designed with dental hygiene in mind, and your vet will be able to advise on safe options.
Although most vets will offer a dental hygiene service, owners should also consider supplementing this with regular brushing at home. Teaching a dog to accept toothbrushes and toothpaste at home can make dental hygiene visits to the vet significantly easier and lower stress, while also offering valuable obedience training opportunities.
Ignoring or overlooking the importance of dental hygiene in dogs can have potentially devastating consequences including painful infections, reduced quality of life, bad breath, tooth decay, and occasional complications leading to death. These are all preventable by maintaining regular dental hygiene practices which should be staples for all responsible dog owners. For further advice, owners should consult with their family vet.