Taking care of your pets oral health

How often do you clean your furry friend’s teeth? Research reveals that many pet parents don’t focus on the importance of oral hygiene. Sure, they take care of their pets’ wellness, but ignore any early signs of dental illnesses. According to the American Veterinary Dental College, most dogs show signs of periodontal disease from the age of three. Simple symptoms such as bad breath often go unacknowledged by owners because of lack of awareness. 

Here a few tips to follow for healthy teeth in pets

1. Regular Brushing

As a pet parent, you must know that brushing your dog’s teeth matters the most in maintaining their oral hygiene. The most effective way to prevent plaque accumulation is regular tooth brushing- at least 3 times a week in healthy mouth or immediately after professional teeth cleaning. Ensure that you build the habit of regular brushing from the puppy stage itself as it is easy to train at that age. Also, you must know your pet need toothbrush and toothpaste specially designed for them. Donot use human tooth brush & paste.

2. Don't miss the early symptoms

Identifying that your dog is suffering from a dental condition could be tough, especially in the early stage.. However, if you closely look at their chewing/eating habits and understand their body language, you will know if they’re experiencing any discomfort at the time of eating. Another symptom that you can’t afford to miss is bad breath. To keep their oral hygiene in check, you must keep giving them scientifically designed and clinically validated chews like PEDIGREE^® Dentastix^®. Another symptom that you must watch out for is behavioral change caused due to chronic pain. The key is prevention, therefore don’t wait until it gets too late. 

3. Regular dental checkup

You must get your pet’s teeth cleaned by a professional veterinarian at least twice a year. This will help you mitigate any major infection and keep their teeth and gums healthy. 

4. Feeding the right diet

What you feed your dog plays a major role in keeping their teeth healthier. Although home made meals are nice, it may not be good for your pet’s oral hygiene.  Feeding a complete & balanced meal like PEDIGREE^® dry food will not only nourish their body, but keep their teeth and gums healthy & stronger. Dental treats such as PEDIGREE^® Dentastix^® work as magic when it comes to cleaning your pet’s teeth and keeping the bad breath at bay.