Four K9 Dental Myths that Could Hurt Your Beloved Dog!
February is Pet Dental Health Month
Just like our own dental care, regular dental care for our dogs (and other pets) is a daily must! But did you know there are commonly held myths about your dog’s dental care? Worse yet, these myths could harm your dog’s oral health as well as their overall health!
Learn which myths are not true below!
Bad Dog Breath is Not “Natural” or “Normal”
Dogs (or other pets) do not “naturally” have bad breath. Bad breath (or halitosis) is typically a symptom of underlying issues requiring immediate and proper diagnosis and treatment. Issues may include:
DENTAL ISSUES
Gingivitis
Periodontal Disease
Teeth and Gums
HEALTH ISSUES
Gastrointestinal Disease
Metabolic Disease
Kidney Disease
2. Not All Dental Products are Safe!
Always do your research before purchasing and using a dental product on your beloved dog (or pet)! Resist being fooled by heartwarming ads or pictures or the marketing buzzwords below:
100% Natural
All-Natural
Healthy
Non-Toxic
Botanical or Organic
Safe
Vet-Approved or Vet-Recommended
3. Kibble Does Not “Scrape” the Teeth!
Contrary to popular belief, dry kibble does not scrape off tartar or plaque from the surface of your dog’s teeth! In reality, kibble and other foods can become trapped in the crevices around your pet’s teeth and inside the gum pockets creating periodontal disease.
Unless this trapped food is regularly brushed out, bacteria will begin to form and accumulate. Only daily brushing can effectively ward off tartar, plaque build-up and worse, inside your dog’s mouth.
4. Decode Every Product Label
Proactively protect your precious dog - and other pet’s - pearly whites by always reading the product label! Never use a human dental product or even a dog-friendly dental product that lists any of the potentially toxic ingredients below:
Alcohol
Sugar substitutes (including popular xylitol)
Artificial food colorings
Parabens
Polysorbates
Propylene Glycol
Glycerin
