Pets Information


Doggy Dental Care: Teeth Cleaning 101


Your dog's dental health is so important for his total well-being... and for guaranteeing him a long and happy life. So don't give him the brush-off! Make tooth cleaning a daily ritual that your dog will look foward to as something the two of you do together.

To start, you'll have to get your doggy used to you fumbling around in his mouth. Ease him into it with a total-body pat-down; a chassis inspection that ideally should be performed on him each day. Have him sit while you examine his body to make sure everything is in working order and there aren't any weird objects or critters lodged in unexpected places. Run your hands over his back and sides. Lift each paw and check the pads of his feet and between his toes. Gently lift his ears and peek inside. (If you see something peeking back at you, run away quickly!)

When you get to his mouth, approach with caution. Gently pull his lips back for a view of that magnificent gumline. Your dog's teeth should be cushioned snugly by a set of pink gums. A healthy gumline is naturally bumpy... so if your dog's gums appear straight rather than wavy, inflamed and/or cover most of the tooth surface, that's a sign of trouble ahead. When WAS the last time you were in for a checkup?

If your dog is getting, well, long in the tooth, it's probably a good idea to take him for a dental workup at the vet's office before you officially start your daily dental hygiene routine at home. Either way, discuss dental hygiene with your vet before beginning a daily toothcare regimen.

Okay: it's time to introduce your pal to "tooth brushing a la human." You can purchase a dog toothbrush at your local Petsmart or other pet store. Try the traditional people-style brush with a handle, or if you're sure you won't lose a hand in his mouth, go for the rubber finger cap toothbrush that fits right over the tip of your index finger. Buy special dog toothpaste which comes in delightful flavors that appeal to dogs, like beef and chicken and the ever-popular cat flavor (joke). You can also brush his teeth with a salt water solution. Whatever you do... do NOT brush your dog's teeth with people toothpaste. He can't be taught to spit like a human, and people toothpaste is most definitely harmful if swallowed.

Offer your dog a little taste of the special dog toothpaste to get him used to it. Let him take a few licks and nibbles of the toothbrush. When he's finished sampling the goods, nudge the brush into his mouth. Brush in circular motions along and under the gum line, paying extra attention to the upper molars in back. This is where plaque accumulates the most rapidly. Go from back to front, and be patient! This is a new and strange sensation for your dog, and he may even try to play a little tug of war with the toothbrush since you're at the other end of it. Don't expect a miracle the first time you try to brush your dog's teeth. Next time should be a bit easier, and the time after that even moreso.

Train your dog to associate tooth-brushing with fun times. Talk to him and make it fun! When he's all finished and showing off those freshly buffed fangs of his, give him a crunchy treat that also does double-duty as a plaque controller. Take him out for his daily walk. Tell him what a good boy he is! In time, he'll grow to accept toothbrushing as just another pleasant ritual in his doggy day.

Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.

Dina Giolitto is a copywriting consultant and ghostwriter with 10 years of experience writing corporate print materials and web content. Trust her with your next e-book, article series or web project, and make a lasting impression on your audience of information-hungry prospects. Visit http://www.wordfeeder.com for more information.


MORE RESOURCES:

Freezing temperatures a danger to outdoor pets
Kingsport Times News, TN - 8 hours ago
As temperatures this week dip below freezing at night, animal shelter folks are urging pet owners to make sure their dogs and cats have proper protection ...
At the shelter State Gazette
all 2 news articles


CNN

Pets deserve pats for household health
Anchorage Daily News, AK - 1 hour ago
While many industries are feeling the pain of the current economic crisis, the pet industry is booming. Americans spent $41 billion dollars on their pets ...
In the lap of luxury, dog's paradise International Herald Tribune
States hound dogged drivers Tampa Bay's 10
Long-distance puppy love CNN
all 4 news articles


San Francisco Chronicle

Would you chose your pet over your partner?
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 14 hours ago
In a study of 900 pet parents by BizRate Research, women said they had a deeper emotional connection with their pets than men did. ...


Fire destroys Lee Street home; family of three, pets escape unharmed
Salisbury Post, NC - 3 hours ago
By Shavonne Potts Thursday morning started out like any other for Marilyn Adrian and her two children, who were at their North Lee Street home watching ...
Salisbury Family Loses Everything In Fire WSOCtv.com
all 2 news articles


Three people, 19 pets evacuated in Northeast fire
KVIA, TX - 13 hours ago
EL PASO, Texas -- Two adults, one child and nearly 20 pets, including ferrets, dogs and mice, were evacuated during a Thursday morning fire that nearly ...
Ferrets Revived With Oxygen Masks KTSM-TV
Extension Cord Sparks House Fire KFOXtv.com
6 fire units respond to Northeast house fire El Paso Times
KVIA
all 5 news articles


WNCT

Store Accused Of Selling 'Puppy Mill' Pets
WYFF, SC - 13 hours ago
GREENVILLE, SC -- A national pet store chain is under fire tonight accused of selling puppies that come from "puppy mills." The Humane Society of the United ...
Video: AP Top Stories AssociatedPress
Investigation ties pet chain to 'puppy mills' MSNBC
Petland Linked to Puppy Mills Action 3 News
Brownsville Herald - Right Pundits
all 178 news articles


Donation baskets brighten the holidays for pets of the homeless
The California Aggie Online, CA - 3 hours ago
The Mercer Veterinary Clinic will continue its 13-year long tradition of making holiday gift baskets for pets of the homeless this December. ...


City seeks to get more pets licensed
Storm Lake Pilot Tribune, IA - 20 hours ago
In efforts to get more pets in the City of Storm Lake properly licensed so they comply with City Code, the City Council is looking at passing an ordinance ...
Dog tags might help get strays home, veterinarian says Le Mars Daily Sentinel
all 2 news articles


Gothamist

Dozens of Pets Killed in Bronx Fire
Gothamist, NY - 19 hours ago
Yesterday's three-alarm fire at a Bronx strip mall destroyed a number of businesses, including a pet store. According to the Daily News, over "100 frantic ...


A Happy Pet for the Holidays: Natural Remedies to Treat Animals ...
MarketWatch - Nov 20, 2008
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass., Nov 20, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Does your pet misbehave when you leave the house? Whether you're entertaining or traveling for ...

Pets - Google News

home | site map
© 2007