Brushing your dog’s teeth is not always the easiest of task but one of the most important to avoid periodontal disease. Easing the process should start when your pet is very young to get it used to the routine. Be sure to purchase the appropriate dental products at your local Rockford-area Petsmart or Petco as listed below or one closest to your home and follow the steps below for your dog’s oral health.
Most veterinarians recommend that you use pet toothpaste, gels, and rinses that contain chlorhexidine, hexametaphosphate or zinc gluconate. Pet toothpaste are meat flavored, making them more acceptable and palatable for the dog. To begin the brushing process, follow these tips -
- Get your dog used to the tooth paste. Put some on your finger tip and let it get accustomed to the taste. If this taste is not acceptable, try another paste until you find one your dog likes. With every step of this process, as your dog succeeds and proceeds, use a lot of praise. Brushing teeth should not be a chore but a fun and bonding experience for you and your dog.
- Now put some of the paste on your finger and rub it on the teeth and gums in your dog’s mouth. Be patient with your dog, reward him or her every time you succeed and the dog is receptive. You can also use a tasty treat reward when you accomplish each step, and do them often.
- Now it is time to put the paste on the brush, finger brush, sponge or pad you are going to use and slowly introduce it to the dog’s teeth. You may not get much brushing done just yet but the whole process is to get your dog first used to the toothpaste and then the texture of the brush. As he or she accepts the brush remember to praise and treat.
- At this point you should be able to actually begin brushing the teeth. Hold the brush in one hand and pull out the dog’s lip with the other. Start in the back, then to the front and onto the other side of the mouth. Be sure to talk your dog through the process in a calm tone of voice. If you are not completely successful brushing all the teeth the first time, that is fine. Try again tomorrow and each day thereafter. Just remember, praise and treats when your dog cooperates.
- Choose to feed your dog a dry dog food which helps to keep plaque from accumulating on the teeth. A special prescription dog food, endorsed by veterinarians, known as the t/d Hills Science Diet has proven that pets eating this food have less plaque and calculi build up. Never give your dog table scraps. It not only promotes more plaque and tartar build-up but also other health issues.
- Provide your dog a variety of the chew toys to tackle plaque problems such as plaque attacker dental toys, ropes, and rawhide chips and bones. Be sure to also look for dental chew bones that are approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council. Always monitor your dog when chewing toys and bones as some dogs are quite aggressive chewers.
It is advisable to brush your dog’s teeth daily like you do for yourself and family, but most people find it difficult to get into that type of routine. If you can commit to at least once weekly while providing the in-between toys and treats, your pet should have a healthy mouth, teeth and gums.
http://www.healthyhappydogs.com/Article.BrushTeeth http://www.dog-health-guide.org/caninetoothbrushing.html http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/how-to-remove-tartar-or-plaque-from-the-8386.html
If you are looking for wholesome, natural and homemade treats for your favorite canine best friend, Led foot’s Pet Bakery near the Rockford area is happy to meet your needs. Check out the website at Ledfoot Bakery. Contact Susan Weitzel at 815 784-6358, Ledfoot Bakery Contact.
If you are seeking Veterinary assistance in the Rockford area, you can check out one of these at - Rockford Vet Clinics, Bellwood Vet, Rockford Veterinarians, Perryville Veterinarian , Cat Veterinarians Specialists
For all your pets needs and accessories in the Rockford area, go to your local PETCO - 6305 East State Street, Rockford, IL 61108, (815) 229-0184 - Petco or your local PETSMART - 6320 East State Street, Rockford, IL 61108, (815) 397-7880 - Petsmart -Petland, (815) 332-4200 - Petland
For many of your pet essentials, visit your local Rockford-area CVS pharmacies. There are four convenient locations - 3134 11th Street, Rockford, IL 61109, (815)398-0048 - 110 S Alpine Rd, Rockford, IL 61108 - 3718 Main Street, Rockford, IL 61103, (815)877-9620 - 2454 S. Alpine Rd., Rockford, IL 61108, (815)399-5421 - CVS Pharmacy
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