ALL BARK AND NO BITE! Ignoring this simple thing could be deadly for your dog.

By Katy Cable/TWR
A 3 min. Read

February is not only the month of Valentine’s Day, heart health and black history, it’s also Doggy Dental Health Care month. Here’s an interesting fact…believe it or not, neglecting this crucial element of your pup’s overall health can be deadly. It can also lead to a host of other major health issues for your dog. Here are some very important tips and facts for you to “brush-up” on:

I used to think people who brushed their dog's teeth were being a tad obsessive. That is, until my vet informed me my 7 year-old pug needed to have 13 rotten teeth pulled out of his mouth. I was handed a bill large enough for me to sink my own teeth into. Right then and there, I realized how important dental care is to a dog’s health.

Unless you're a three-year-old child, you probably wouldn't dream of going days on end without brushing your teeth. Believe it or not, your dog shouldn't either.

When plaque is allowed to accumulate on your dog's teeth, within a few days it hardens into tartar. Tartar adheres to the teeth and irritates the gums. Irritated gums result in an inflammatory condition called gingivitis. Dogs with gingivitis have red rather than pink gums, and stinky breath. If the tartar isn't removed, it builds up under the gums, eventually causing them to pull away from the teeth. This creates small pockets in the gum tissue that trap additional bacteria in the mouth.

Once things progress to this stage, your dog will have developed an irreversible condition called periodontal disease, which not only causes considerable pain, but can also result in abscesses, infections, loose teeth, and bone loss.

But here's what's really shocking: Should your dog develop periodontal disease, the surface of his gums will be weakened, which can allow mouth bacteria to invade the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. If their immune system doesn't kill off the circulating bacteria, it can reach the heart and infect it with a multitude of serious issues.

Some types of bacteria found in the mouths of dogs produce sticky proteins that can adhere to artery walls, causing them to thicken. Mouth bacteria is also known to promote the formation of blood clots that can severely damage the heart.

If that's not bad enough, studies have linked periodontal disease in both humans and pets to systemic diseases of the kidneys, liver, and lungs. It can also result in diabetes complications, problems during pregnancy, and even cancer. These serious health problems can either develop or be worsened as inflamed or bleeding gum tissue allows harmful oral bacteria to filter into the bloodstream quicker than a pug can devour a meal.

In addition to systemic diseases, infections in the mouth often create other problems including tooth root abscesses, jaw fractures, nasal infections, and in extreme cases, eye loss and oral cancer. If your dog is lucky they may get by with a simple cavity or chipped tooth.

That probably scared you enough to start looking for a new doggie toothbrush. And that's good news since most of these conditions can be avoided or greatly improved once good oral hygiene has begun and any dental disease has been resolved.

As you can see, your dog's oral hygiene is much more than just an obsessive grooming afterthought. It's an extremely important factor in maintaining your dog's health and longevity. I suggest you begin by talking to your vet and getting a thorough evaluation of your dog's teeth, gums and mouth.

I began brushing my current pug Olive’s teeth the second I brought her home. Now she’s 7-years-old and still hasn’t needed professional dental cleaning. Her teeth and gums are healthy and look great. But with my first Pug Raisin, I learned the hard way. He needed twice-yearly cleanings and major oral surgery to repair just a few years of neglect.

To be fair, Pugs and other "flat-nosed" breeds come genetically disadvantaged in terms of dental health. They seem to have teeth settled in the far reaches of their throats. Not only are they hard to find, but they’re also even harder to clean. Their cramped, flat muzzles and the shape of their mouths make properly cleaning back molars about as easy as resisting homemade brownies straight out of the oven.

If your dog’s teeth are in particularly bad shape, or you have a Pug, your vet can likely recommend some tartar-removing sprays, which might be another useful line of defense. Hopefully, you can get things under control and a professional deep cleaning with anesthesia will not be necessary.

Here are a few simple tips for keeping your pet's mouth healthy and introducing the toothbrush:

• Feed your dog a nutritious, species-appropriate, diet. This sets the stage for vibrant good health. However, I can't tell you how many pet-parents assume feeding their dog a hard, dry kibble is all that's necessary to take care of their pet's teeth. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, it would be just the same as thinking that eating crunchy granola bars was all you needed to do to keep your own teeth clean. Unfortunately, feeding great food of any kind is not enough to prevent dental disease for the life of your pet.
• Perform routine inspections of your dog’s mouth. Your pet should allow you to open his mouth, look inside, and feel around. Check for loose teeth, unusual lumps or bumps on the tongue, under the tongue, along the gum line and on the roof of their mouth. After you do this a few times, you'll become sensitive to any changes that might occur from one inspection to the next. You should also make note of any differences in the smell of your pet's breath that isn't diet-related. ​
• Offer your pet raw bones to gnaw on. This is an excellent way to help remove tartar the old fashioned way -- by grinding it off through repetitive chewing. There are some rules to offering raw bones (not for pets with pancreatitis, diseases of the mouth, weak or fractured teeth, resource guarders, "gulpers," etc.) so ask your vet if raw bones would be a good "toothbrush" for your dog. I recommend offering a raw bone about the same size as your pet's head to prevent tooth fractures.

One of the secrets to successful tooth brushing is to progress slowly and gently, allowing your dog to adapt. When you first get your dog, you can begin a cleaning routine by wrapping a small piece of sterile gauze around your finger and letting them become familiar with having your finger in their mouth. Gently rub the top front teeth and slowly work your way to the back teeth. Then do the same on the lower teeth. Praise your dog often and keep these sessions short. If your dog resists, try doing this while they're relaxing and more mellow which is typically around their bedtime. If they resist, stop and try again another time. Also, confirm they don't have another underlying problem causing mouth pain.

The next step is to use a safe, natural, dental cleaning product designed for pets and apply a small amount to the gauze before you rub your dog's teeth. I am a fan of Oxyfresh products. With minimal time and effort, all that brown gunk around the back teeth comes right off and usually professional cleanings can be avoided. If you don't have canine toothpaste, you can use organic coconut oil. Once they get used to this, you can progress to either a finger brush or a soft toothbrush the right size for their mouth. Remember, the more rubbing and brushing your pet will allow, the more quickly you'll see results, and the easier it will be to maintain dental health.

If your furry companion is highly resistant to having their teeth rubbed or brushed, or, in the case of a new rescue/shelter dog that comes with a mouth needing major attention, you can try a new, amazing product called TEEF. Simply add a small pinch of this all-natural, tasteless, odorless powder to your dog’s water each day and BAM! A clean mouth, fresh breath, whiter teeth, and NO MORE harmful bacteria, plaque and tarter. It’s the easiest thing EVER! This product is a game-changer for Pugs or other pets with dental issues.

Also, before attempting dental care, consider using CBD treats and oil. This all-natural cannabis works miracles to chill-out an anxious dog. I personally use Bailey’s CBD for it’s trusted purity and potency. Use Code: The Weekly Runt for 20% off Bailey’s CBD products from my store.

☠️ALERT REGARDING DOGGIE DENTAL TREATS
Please be cautious when purchasing doggie dental treats. Many contain harmful if not toxic ingredients.

Before You Buy Dental Care Treats, Read The Ingredient List! I see lots of pet parents gravitating to dry kibble and dental treats to keep their dog’s teeth clean. This is a popular misconception. In addition to not containing healthy, species-appropriate ingredients, they are loaded with harmful additives and preservatives. Some of the most popular products such as Milk Bone Brushing Chews and Purina Beneful Healthy Smile Dental Twists contain the synthetic toxic preservatives BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) which are used to prevent fats and oils in food from turning rancid. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program has identified BHA and BHT as cancer-causing agents that consistently produce certain types of tumors in laboratory animals. Unfortunately, the FDA still permits the use of these chemicals as preservatives in food, deeming them "generally recognized as safe" in low doses.

In addition, I have seen many dental chews soften just enough to become major chocking hazards. Smaller treats that are chewed and swallowed in a matter of seconds provide no real dental benefit for your pet.

Remember, even with bones, dental treats, and a healthy diet, it’s still necessary brush your dog’s teeth. It’s one of the best things you can do to keep your sweetie from becoming “All Bark and No Bite!”

🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾