| Dental care for your dog can get lost in the | | | | keep your dog's teeth healthy is with dental |
| shuffle of daily life. Even if you really | | | | chews. The more your dog chews, on something |
| love your dog and give your dog great dog | | | | meant for chewing (not on something like your |
| care, it's easy to slip up on dental care for | | | | furniture), the better dog dental health your |
| your dog. | | | | dog will have. |
| | | | |
| When was the last time you checked your dog's | | | | There's been some debate about the safety of |
| teeth? | | | | the well-known chews, Greenies. I've never |
| | | | given my dog Greenies, but some dog parents |
| I know?the inside of the mouth isn't the | | | | say they're great. Be aware, though, that |
| cutest part of your dog. But it can tell you | | | | according to a CNN investigation, since 2003, |
| a lot about your dog's health. | | | | 40 dogs have had to have pieces of Greenies |
| | | | surgically removed, and 13 of those dogs |
| Contrary to what non-dog people may think, | | | | died. Of course, that's a small number given |
| not all dogs have bad breath. Bad doggy | | | | that over 750 million Greenies have been sold |
| breath, in fact, can be a sign of disease. | | | | since 1998. |
| | | | |
| To look for signs of disease, check the color | | | | Better than chews are rinses or pastes that |
| of your dog's teeth. White is really good. | | | | you put on your dog's teeth and gums. Even |
| Brown is really bad. You're aiming for at | | | | better than that is brushing your dog's |
| least somewhere in between. | | | | teeth. You can find tooth brushes especially |
| | | | for dog dental care at any pet supply store. |
| Check for broken teeth, pus or bleeding gums, | | | | |
| and look for any unusual growths. If you see | | | | If you take just a little time to get the |
| anything that looks unhealthy, please take | | | | right supplies and just a bit of time to use |
| your dog to the vet. | | | | them, you'll be doing your dog AND you a big |
| | | | favor. Your dog will be healthier (and have |
| If you're in a metropolitan area, you may be | | | | fewer expensive problems) when you get dental |
| able to find a vet who specializes in dental | | | | care for your dog. |
| care. Check the American Veterinary Dental | | | | |
| College's site to see a list of their | | | | Want to be a great dog care giver? Andrea |
| graduates. | | | | Rains Waggener, author of Dog Parenting?How |
| | | | To Have An Outrageously Happy Canine, has |
| You can find dog dental care products at | | | | created the ultimate dog parenting support |
| nearly any pet store. The easiest way to | | | | center. |