When I took my little Chihuahua to the vet last week for his annual check-up, the veterinarian commented on how clean his teeth were. He didn’t need to have his teeth cleaned, she said, because he didn’t have any of the stubborn plaque buildup that small dogs often get on their teeth. I have never once brushed my dog’s teeth with a toothbrush. Follow the steps below, and your dog can have clean teeth, too, with very little effort on your part.
Give your dog a rope toy to play with. My dog has a rope toy that is approximately 8" long, with a knot tied at each end. He loves to play tug of war with his rope, and he will also chew on it. He even sleeps with his rope toy. Chewing on a rope toy is terrific for your dog’s teeth. The strings that make up the rope act as dental floss, and will help to clean any plaque and food particles from between your dog’s teeth.
2
Provide your dog with a Nylabone. A Nylabone is a hard plastic chew toy that will quickly become your dog’s favorite plaything. Be sure to choose one that is the appropriate size for your dog and that it suited to his chewing style. I give my Chihuahua the petite-size Nylabone that is meant for strong chewers. The more he chews on it, the more the tiny bristles stand up. The bristles act like toothbrush bristles and will help to keep your dog’s teeth clean.
3
Buy your dog some dental chew toys. Any pet store will have some chew toys that are designed specifically to help keep your dog’s teeth clean. They often have bristles on them, and may come in different flavors that will entice your dog to chew on them.
4
Offer your dog dental treats. These are dog treats that are specially formulated to be good for your dog’s teeth and his overall dental health. They sometimes come in mint flavor, so while your dog is having a treat, he is also cleaning his teeth and freshening his breath at the same time.
Tips & Warnings
Regularly check your dog’s chew toys for wear. If chunks of plastic break off, your dog could potentially choke. Replace the toy when it starts to show a lot of wear and tear.
Don’t give your dog too many treats. Obesity is very harmful to a dog, so be mindful of his weight.
moonfairy13
Sep 15, 2009
Good ideas for my little chihuahua, thank you