Dental care is an important part of your dog’s health.
At an early age, it is a good idea to get your dog familiar with having its teeth, gums and mouth checked. You may not be a dentist, but by running your fingers along the gum line you will get to know if the gums are healthy and the teeth are normal. Smell your dog’s breath so you are familiar with the smell; this way if anything in their mouth is abnormal you will be able to tell.
Check with your vet to confirm if brushing your dog’s teeth is suitable for them – some dogs have soft teeth, so they may have some recommendations for you. If brushing your dog’s teeth is part of your routine, do not use human toothpaste, as it contains fluoride, which in large amounts is poisonous.
Buy yummy tasting dog’s toothpaste and your dog will love to have their teeth brushed! Raw marrowbones, which you can find at your local grocery store or butcher, are a great natural way to keep your dog’s teeth clean and they LOVE them! Throw them out once all of the marrow is gone or if they start to break apart.
Keep in mind that the marrow is quite rich, so depending on the size of your dog vs. the bone, you may want to limit the time the dog has to work on the bone, as the richness may cause a bit of an upset stomach and or diarrhea.
Do not give your dog any treated or smoked bones, as they are greasy and splinter easily.
This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.