caring for your house cat

Even when you brush your dog's teeth regularly, there are ways to help your pet have healthy teeth in between brushing. Just like humans, certain foods can help clean your dog's teeth. While not all fruits and vegetables are safe for your dog, leafy greens, carrots, and green beans are all healthy options for your dog to eat on a regular basis. Your dog will have an improvement in their overall health from the better food, and their teeth and gums will benefit as well.

Safe Foods for Your Dog that Promote Oral Health

Raw, crunchy vegetables are great for human teeth, and they are perfect for a dog too. If you cook the vegetables, they will lose their abrasive power. Eating raw vegetables helps clean the teeth naturally, specifically vegetables that are crunchy. Dogs love to eat carrots, broccoli, and green beans, all vegetables that are safe for a dog to consume. With leafy green vegetables such as spinach, your dog will get an adequate amount of vitamin C. Vitamin C helps promote gum health in both humans and dogs. Foods that are dangerous for your dog to eat include: chocolate, raisins, grapes, and onions. Be careful that you only feed your dog human foods that are safe for them to eat.

Have Plenty of Chew Toys Around

Chew toys do more than amuse your pet. Having something to chew eases tension for your dog, and the gum stimulation from chewing promotes a healthy mouth. Chewing on toys will help remove soft tartar from your dog's teeth, much like brushing does on a regular basis for humans. 

Look for Pet Foods that Promote Good Oral Health

Additives and preservatives can cause all kinds of problems with your dog, including poor oral hygiene. If you are concerned about your dog's teeth, try a pet food that is labeled specifically to promote oral health. The ingredients within the food will help your dog by providing the right nutrients for good gum health, and supply the calcium necessary for healthy teeth.

If you notice signs of oral health problems such as bad breath, loose teeth, excessive gum growth or red and bleeding gums, then it is time to make an appointment with your veterinarian to talk about the choices you have when it comes to pet oral care. Ignoring the problem will only make your dog's gums and teeth worse, causing pain and potential tooth loss.