Dog Dental Care
Dog dental care may not be the first thing you think about when you bring your new puppy home. But don't worry, it won't be long before you (and a LOT of your possessions) will be very familiar with those tiny, but extremely sharp puppy teeth! Chewing - and lots of it!You'll find chewing is one of Fido's favorite hobbies, unfortunately he won't care what he's chewing on. In his little puppy brain your favorite running shoes will be just as tasty as that special chew toy you bought him. Actually, he'll probably think they taste BETTER - and if your shoes are leather then you'd better lock them up and throw away the key (at least until he reaches his 2nd birthday).The good news is that chewing is an important part of good dog dental care. It helps to keep Fido's teeth clean, massages his gums, exercises his jaws AND is a great canine stress reducer. Wow, when you look at all that it's lucky for you that he actually likes to chew!
Chew toys, bones and moreThere are a ton of different chew toys on the market today and most of them are very good. There's something for everyone; whether your puppy is a 30lb 'power-chewer' or a 2lb 'dainty' chewer you'll have lots of choices.
Some chew toys are mostly for fun, they'll exercise Fido's jaws and help him to 'wind down' after an exciting play session. Others play an important part in your dog dental care regimen. These chews will actively help to prevent and reduce tartar build up on Fido's teeth. Tough rubber bones and toys with ridged surfaces, and rope or sheepskin toys all have a gentle abrasive action. Although dogs love them, natural bones, pigs hooves and other such toys should generally be avoided as they can break and damage little puppy teeth (and adult dog teeth too). 'Greenies' and other similar products are textured, edible and easily digestible chews that not only help reduce plaque and tartar but also give Fido's breath a hint of 'minty freshness'!You can find the best prices on Greenies Dog Chews at DogToys.com Brush those puppy teethDog dental care requires more than just giving little Fido the right dog chews. If you want him to grow up with strong, healthy teeth and gums you'll need to begin while he still has his puppy teeth.Adult dogs have 42 teeth, but until it's about 3 months old a puppy only has 28 baby teeth. You don't actually need to start brushing your puppy's teeth until he's around 6 to 8 months old and his permanent teeth are growing in - but it's a good idea to get him used to the whole thing as soon as you can. Just make dental care a regular part of his grooming routine and he'll soon come to accept it as a necessary evil! 
You can buy special dog toothbrushes and toothpaste (for puppy teeth as well as adult dog teeth) at any major pet store, don't use human products, it's not the same thing . Brush his teeth every day and always give him a treat afterwards.This will go a long way towards preventing Fido suffering through painful and expensive dental or periodontal work later on.Three signs that your dog needs the dentist!You don't really need to worry about this while Fido is still a puppy, but for good dog dental care it's useful to know the signs of possible problems just in case. If you notice any of the following symptoms take Fido to your veterinarian for a check-up.
If you follow these guidelines for dog dental care you're giving your precious puppy a great start.
Here are some highly recommended dog dental care products that you can use to keep Fido's teeth and gums healthy, and his breath smelling 'puppy-breath' sweet. TriplePet toothpaste has a natural vanilla flavor that pets love, plus it contains a tartar control formula and a touch of tea tree oil for healthy gums. Since it is sweetened with stevia, a natural herb, it is sugar free and provides a clean sweet breath for your pet. The toothpaste is non-foaming, so no rinsing is necessary after brushing. 2.5 oz. Made in the USA. The Triple Pet all natural, sugar-free Breath Freshener uses organically bound zinc to kill germs, parsley seed oil to kill odors, and real vanilla for fresh breath. It contains L-Lysine to help prevent viral infection. It does not contain drugs or alcohol. A little dab on the gums, using the applicator tube, provides great breath immediately and lasts for hours and hours. New Greenies dental chews are 100% edible and highly soluble- they break down easy during the digestion process, which means that there isn't anything in them that your dog can't eat and enjoy! We've designed our FREE monthly e-zine 'Puppy Pawprints' especially for you! It's packed with exclusive and original articles, information, tips and whole lot more. Don't miss out on this valuable FREE resource. Sign up today. Go to Puppy Health Page
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