Pomeranians have tiny mouths and itty bitty teeth, but not caring for them properly can cause serious health problems for your dog.
Dental disease in dogs can cause serious health issues as the bacteria from infected gums and teeth can "spread" to other parts of the body and affect vital organs such as the heart, kidneys and intestines. Tarter or dental calculus starts off soft but can harden on the dogs teeth. Once hardened, it cannot be brushed away but requires a dental scaling just like you get in the dentist chair! If the teeth are left untreated, the buildup can cause the gums to become inflamed and can also cause serious infections.
Does Your Pom Have Bad Teeth?
Pomeranians are prone to dental problems. Buildup of plaque and tooth loss can be severe and cause problems with their daily routines. To tell if your dog has bad teeth, lift up his lips and check his teeth at the gumline - can you see tarter? Are the teeth white or discolored? Does his breath smell? Are there broken teeth?
All of these can indicate the need for better dog tooth care. Your veterinarian will probably do a dental check as part of they yearly checkup and can advise you as to the extent of the problem, if any.
Providing Better Pomeranian Tooth Care
Bones
Chewing on raw bones can be a good way for your dog to remove built up tarter but Poms have very small mouths and may not be able to chew a real bone so you might want to try one of the manufactured bones that are made specifically for dog dental care. I would advise against cooked bones as they can splinter and cause damage to the gums or intestine if swallowed.
Brushing Your Poms Teeth
Brushing is a vital part of dog tooth care and should be done at least once a week ? preferably every day. There are plenty of flavored toothpastes formulated for dogs that your pet will love the taste of. You can use a finger brush (a rubber piece that fits on the end of your finger with bristles), a hand held brush that looks much like a human tooth brush, or a little brush that fits on the end of a "ring" which you put on your finger. My Pomeranian is extremely tiny and I find the "ring" brush works best for me.
Scaling
This procedure is done by your veterinarian and is pretty much the same thing as the scaling you get at the dentist. The teeth are scraped and polished and any loose or badly damaged teeth are removed. Your dog is put under anesthesia for this procedure and it is quite costly. Proper brushing will limit the need for this to be done.
Getting Your Pomeranian Used To Brushing
While it's best to start when he is a puppy, it's not too late for your older Pom to get good dental care! Start off slowly, maybe with just a dab of the toothpaste on your finger so he can lick it off (my dog loves the taste!). Be sure to use a special paste for dogs and not human toothpaste ? human toothpaste can be harmful to your pet. You can get a paste from your vet that has enzymes that will help fight the bacteria. Also, you'll want a soft brush so you do not damage the gums.
Take it one day at a time and gradually get the dog used to you touching his head and opening the mouth. Each day try to go one step further ? open the mouth, then touch his teeth, then his gums. Use your finger at first and introduce the brush later. This can be a a bonding time for you and your dog - eventually your pet may even look forward to his nightly brushing! Remember that your Pom is very small so you don't want to scrub roughly and hurt the dog ? just brush gently. You should try to brush your dogs teeth every day or at least every other day so that the plaque will not have a chance to harden. While this may seem like a chore, think of it as an important medical need for your pet.
Frequent brushing and proper dental care can add years to your Poms life!
Lee Dobbins is a pet lover and webmaster of pomeranian pages.com where you can find out more about the Pomeranian Breed. Be sure to check out their pomeranian pages.com.
quick home cleaning Glenview ..So, you've got yourself a pregnant cat.Was it a stray... Read More
Out of all the pet animals, the cat is most... Read More
Some people have horses they don't dare tie. Why? Because... Read More
Ringworm is an annoying, highly contagious fungal disorder that is... Read More
Continued from part two.Epilepsy/seizure disorderWhen your Boxer is between 2... Read More
Do you really get the fullest amount of enjoyment out... Read More
Why does one breed appeal to a person over another?... Read More
One of the most difficult hurdles that any new puppy... Read More
Just as humans allergies can show up as a sneeze... Read More
Puppies can be so exasperating! They know what we want,... Read More
This article discusses two foods in paticual. For the puppy... Read More
You've made up your mind, it's the American Pit Bull... Read More
What kind of materials should you use when constructing a... Read More
Have you ever thought about what you need to do... Read More
For a cat, scratching is a natural, necessary act. Besides... Read More
For thousands of years, dogs have been "man's best friend."... Read More
Nervous cats hide from people, they do not readily present... Read More
Most dogs live between ten and seventeen years. The relationship... Read More
If you take a quick look at this species they... Read More
Pug puppies make wonderful pets. Pugs are very affectionate and... Read More
The large animal organizations and the public money.It is said... Read More
1. What is heat?Heat is more properly called the estrous... Read More
The term applehead Chihuahua refers to the shape of a... Read More
Dog training is definitely not rocket science and is easier... Read More
Much has been written about the Discus, or Symphysodon aequifasciatus,... Read More
scheduled maid service Winnetka ..There are many ways in which you can prepare for,... Read More
Do you want a long and healthy life for your... Read More
One of the most difficult hurdles that any new puppy... Read More
Many dogs today suffer from itchy skin caused by a... Read More
Thanks to Disney's Motion Picture 'Finding Nemo,' almost everybody is... Read More
Puppy crate training is one of the most effective ways... Read More
It has been said that everything old is new again.... Read More
Wether it be on a vacation to your favorite resort,... Read More
The numbers will make any pet lover blanch with disgust,... Read More
Cockatiels are one of the most lovable pets in the... Read More
Many people want to make sure their family pet has... Read More
Teaching your puppy crate training is the first and best... Read More
Obesity is one of the greatest health concerns facing dogs.... Read More
The most common dog problems:Dog Owner's commonly ask me the... Read More
I would like to write a few words about my... Read More
As a business, I've not been in the holistic pet... Read More
If you are beginning to feel like an endangered species... Read More
As our horses enjoy a longer life and many live... Read More
I have had Goldens and Black Labs for many years,... Read More
Pregnant cats have to eat for two, three, four, five,... Read More
Do you want a Westie as a pet? What are... Read More
I am a dog lover by nature. I have just... Read More
Many of us dream of having a beautiful, exotic bird... Read More
This article discusses two foods in paticual. For the puppy... Read More
For most cat owners, training their cat to use the... Read More
Pet |