Animals

A healthy and well-maintained set of teeth is also very important for the well-being and health of dogs. Therefore, dog owners need to pay attention to the good oral hygiene of their animals. Even seemingly harmless plaque can pave the way for tartar and serious dental diseases. Small dog breeds in particular are prone to heavy tartar build-up. In this article, you will learn how to prevent tartar on the dog’s teeth.

What causes dog tartar?

Tartar is formed by an interaction of various substances in the oral cavity. Bacteria, together with food residues, saliva, and exfoliated cells of the oral mucosa, form a layer that adheres to the tooth surfaces. This layer is called plaque.

Plaque adheres especially to hard-to-reach areas of the teeth and in the spaces between the teeth. Dogs with a short muzzle and the resulting misalignment of the teeth are particularly affected by this. In these dogs, the teeth are too close together or at an angle, so that the plaque can adhere even better. If this plaque remains on the teeth, mineral salts, especially calcium phosphate, from the dog’s saliva are deposited on it and harden into tartar.

The surface of the tartar provides a surface for more bacteria and plaque to attack. The bacteria migrate to the gums and underneath, causing inflammation (gingivitis). This inflammation can spread to the periodontium (periodontitis), which can lead to the destruction and loss of the entire tooth.

How do I recognise tartar on a dog’s teeth?

The first signs of impending tartar on a dog’s teeth are the soft deposits and plaque already mentioned. They are easy to recognise by their yellowish colour. If nothing is done about it, hard tartar will form. This is characterised by a grey-brown colour and is usually very foul-smelling, which leads to a change in your four-legged friend’s mouth odour. The reason for this is the strong-smelling metabolic waste products of the bacteria that feed on food remains and live in and on the tartar.

Due to the irritation of the gums, tartar infestation often leads to gingivitis. The inflamed areas are easily recognised by their reddish, possibly even bloody discolouration. If you notice such symptoms, you should immediately consult a vet to have the tartar removed.

The symptoms described are extremely unpleasant for your pet. Under certain circumstances, this pain can also lead to changes in eating behaviour. For example, dogs often have an unusual lack of appetite or only chew on one side. If you notice these or similar signs, you should have your dog’s teeth checked or examined by a veterinarian.

The following symptoms and accompanying signs can be summarised as signs of tartar in dogs:

• Yellowish, soft deposits on the teeth.
• Grey-brown, hardened deposits.
• Changed or foul-smelling bad breath
• Irritated, reddish, or even bloody gums
• Unusual eating behaviour

How to prevent tartar in dogs

You can prevent tartar in dogs with good dental care. To prevent tartar in dogs, it is best to combine the following methods:

• Regular tooth brushing: It is best to use a dog toothbrush, dog toothpaste, and special rinses or dab the teeth with concentrated chlorhexidine. This cleans the teeth and interdental spaces, thus removing the basis for tartar.
• Feeding dry food; Dry food must be chewed more than wet food and therefore stimulates salivation. In addition, wet food settles more quickly in the interdental spaces.
• Mix anti-tartar powders into the food: Anti-tartar powders bind the calcium in saliva and are thus supposed to help dissolve plaque faster or prevent it from forming in the first place. Because the ingredients in these powders can enter the blood through digestion, we recommend that you check with your veterinarian to determine if these powders are suitable for your dog.
• Regularly give your dog snacks for dental care: Make sure they are as natural as possible and do not contain added sugar. The harder they are to chew, the more effective they are. But be careful of chewing items that are too hard. Bones, deer antlers and the like can lead to tooth fractures.
• Use dental care toys: Dental care toys encourage dogs to chew and thus contribute to increased salivation. This reduces the risk of stubborn deposits. Some toys also clean the teeth mechanically.
• Go for regular teeth cleaning What works for humans also works for dogs. Talk to your vet about how often it makes sense to have your dog’s teeth professionally cleaned and have your dog’s teeth checked at least once a year.

Tartar removal for dogs

To permanently remove the dog’s tartar, professional dental cleaning at the vet is necessary. This is done under a light anaesthetic. During the treatment, the vet removes the tartar from the tooth with an ultrasound. If the tartar has already spread and settled in the gum pockets, these are also carefully cleaned. The teeth are then polished, as the smooth surface prevents the formation of tartar. After the tartar removal, the vet reassesses the condition of the teeth and dentition. In some cases, further treatment is then required to remove the tartar completely. In severe cases, complete removal of the tooth may be necessary.

How to remove tartar from dogs naturally

Once a dog has hard tartar, it is almost impossible to remove it with a toothbrush. There are special tartar scrapers, but these carry a high risk of damaging the oral mucosa, gums, or enamel by slipping off. Another method is to rub the teeth with a dental care gel. If the gel is applied for a longer time, it may loosen the tartar.

You can check out our other useful articles about health here.

You can’t be angry with your four-legged friend, even though it pees on your shoes, scratches your furniture and breaks your favourite vase. That’s how much you love your dog. Have you ever thought about whether it loves you or not? In this article, we show you 4 signs that your dog loves you.

People and dogs: an unbeatable team! Dogs have been considered faithful companions of humans for thousands of years. Scientists assume that humans and wolves came closer together as early as about 15,000 to 20,000 years ago. The wolf quickly evolved into the dog – the beginning of a long friendship. Today, dogs are inseparable from humans and firmly integrated into our society. Some dogs even have real jobs. For example, some of the furry noses work as guides for the blind, at customs and in the police and drug squad.

4 signs that your dog loves you

1. Your dog greets you effusively.

Your dog jumps, bounces, wags his tail and whines with joy when you come home? These are clear signs that your furry friend has missed you very much – and is correspondingly happy about your return. It can be enough to take out the rubbish for a moment to trigger the animal dance of joy. Your dog just can’t help himself – and needs to express his love and affection.

2. Your dog is completely infatuated with your shoes and socks.

Your dog loves your shoes and worn socks and regularly pulls them off the shelf or laundry basket? You probably find this behaviour rather annoying, but your dog is demonstrating his affection. Because: For dogs, smells are enormously important. And hardly anything smells as strongly of its master as sweaty socks or old shoes.

3. Your dog shares his favourite toy with you.

Whether it’s a squeaky bone, a stuffed duck or simply a worn blanket, most dogs have an absolute favourite toy that they don’t like to share. When your dog voluntarily brings you his favourite toy, it’s a real sign of love.

4. Your dog uses you as a leaning point.

Dogs only lean on a person when you can trust them. Because then they seek closeness and affection. This behaviour can occur, for example, in everyday life or when going for a walk. Or when your dog is anxious or nervous. It means: I feel safe with you because I know you will protect me.

We love our pets. We love them so much that they are often considered members of the family. They are also considered best friends and confidants.

You can check out our other useful articles about animals here.