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Dental advice for your dog

Dogs are vulnerable to a variety of dental illnesses, but they can't tell us what is wrong, that is why dog owners should know some of the symptoms to look out for.

Dogs, like their owners, also get cavities in their teeth. You should clean their teeth twice a week and feeding it dry dog food and bones will also help keep its teeth healthier. Bad breath is a symptom of plaque build up in your dog's mouth. This can cause periodontal disease, if untreated it can spread into the bloodstream and then to your dog's kidney, liver, heart and even their brain.

Treatment

Brush your dog's teeth regularly following the steps:

• Position yourself and your dog, so that you can access the dog's teeth easily while ensuring your dog is comfortable.
• Lift your dog's upper lips and begin to brush in a circular motion, like you would brush your own teeth.
• Be sure to brush where the tooth meets the gum-line.
• Don't forget to get the very back teeth, since this is where your dog is most likely to develop problems.
• When you are finished the top, move on to the bottom.

Only use dog toothpaste bought from a pet shop. NEVER USE HUMAN TOOTHPASTE! There are a variety of flavours available so try to find one that your dog likes and brushing its teeth could be a lot easier.