As a dog groomer I often come across #dogs who don’t want me to touch their snout and that may be a sign of mouth pain. Sometimes, dogs show signs of pain that we might not associate with a toothache. A dog may yawn and cry when yawning, or might scratch his ear, smack his lips, lick his nose, sneeze, chatter his teeth, or drool excessively. All these may be symptoms of #dental issues. If you notice yellow or brown stains on your pet's teeth, especially around the gums, there's a good chance this is dental plaque. Brushing your #pet's teeth with special toothpaste and feeding them dental treats can help prevent the build-up of plaque. Some symptoms to watch are bad breath, red swollen, or bleeding gums, increased buildup of plaque deposits, excessive drooling, difficulty chewing/weight loss. Your dog may have decreased interest in eating dry food or in hard treats, may be chewing more slowly than usual or dropping food from the mouth while chewing, could have excessive drooling or pawing at the mouth and a new or worsening resistance to having the face/mouth touched. Please take your dog for annual oral examinations and cleanings. Feed him good quality #food. Avoid hard #bones as chew toys. Brush his #teeth every day. Give him chew toys to play with. Do your own #oral examinations regularly. #Periodontal disease is dangerous for pets, and in some cases is known to take up to two years or more off of a pet's life, if left untreated. Small #dogs are the most likely to suffer from #dental disease. But there are also some larger dog breeds, like Boxers, Great Danes, and Mastiffs, that have gum disorders. Dental disease is gradual. Tartar begins building up and gums begin to redden. Gums continue to be swollen and bone loss begins to develop. Bone loss continues to occur. Severe bone loss can lead to loss of teeth and bloody gums. There are some hallmark #symptoms of canine periodontitis pet parents should watch for, including bleeding or inflamed gums, discoloured teeth (brown or yellow), loose or missing teeth, bad breath, irritability, weight loss, bloody or “ropey” saliva and drop in appetite. Whilst #senior dogs are more susceptible to certain health conditions and their bodies have certainly seen more wear and tear than the average puppy, age is not a disease and technically speaking, no dog is 'too old' to have their teeth cleaned. Animals develop tartar and plaque on their teeth just like we do. This tartar and plaque is formed by food particles and bacteria. Foods such as apple slices, carrot sticks, uncooked pumpkin, sweet potato, and squash are all tasty dog-friendly human foods that help to scrape plaque and build-up off of your dog's teeth. Whatever you do, please don't neglect your dog's oral health. Book a dental check at least annually as
#prevention is better than cure...
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