You feed, water, exercise, groom and bathe your animal. You take him to the veterinarian for his yearly checkup, tests, and shots. It seems as though your pet is in perfect health. Your Molars pooch gives you a big, sloppy lick across your face in appreciation, and you notice his bad breath. At first you shrug it off to the pet food and doggy bones, but realize that youve never brushed his teeth. Is this necessary? Do your dogs teeth require brushing? The answer is yes. And, unfortunately, bad breath isnt just an indicator of poor brushing.
Bad breath in animals can be an indicator of health problems. If you have never brushed your dogs teeth, then its likely that there is an excessive buildup of plaque. This plaque, caused by bacteria, is often the cause of bad breath. A sweet odor coming from your dogs mouth can be a sign of diabetes, while ammonia-like odors can be a sign of kidney disease. Foul odors can be an indicator of intestinal or liver problems. When detected early, many of these problems can be treated. Plaque buildup cannot be brushed away and should be removed by a professional. The professional can also educate you on effective ways to brush your dogs teeth and toys you can purchase that aid in cleaning. There are many tips for teeth brushing. Below are just a few to get you started. Do not start a routine with your dog without first having his teeth professionally cleaned. Also, be sure to explore different techniques of teeth brushing that could be more suitable for you and your pet. 1 - Establish familiarity: You dont want to open your pets mouth and go straight for the teeth. First, let him get accustomed to the unfamiliar touch. Spend time opening his mouth and lightly touching his gums and teeth before starting a brushing routine. 2 - Pick the right toothbrush: There are toothbrushes made especially for dogs, or you can use something readily available at your How Often Should I floss? home or local grocery store. Childrens soft-bristle brushes, nylon pantyhose, or gauze pads can be used to clean your pets teeth. If using pantyhose, cut a small section and wrap it around your finger. Dont use any type of material that could hurt your pets teeth or gums. 3 - Pick the right toothpaste: Like toothbrushes, you can buy toothpaste created for dogs. You can also make your own paste by mixing baking soda and water. Do not use adult toothpastes. Many brands use ingredients that can induce vomiting in your pet. Also, stay away from pastes containing sugar. Sugar promotes the growth of unwanted bacteria. 4 - Be gentle: If this is the first time brushing your pets teeth, then its safe to say that his gums may be sensitive. Take the same care with his teeth as you would your own. Be gentle when brushing around the gum lines, and dont be overly aggressive when brushing the teeth. 5 - Establish a routine: It is recommended that you brush your pets teeth once or DDS twice a week; although, brushing more often is not harmful to your pet. Choose how often you want to brush his teeth and stick to it. By establishing a routine, your dog will be more willing and often look forward to his daily, weekly, or bi-weekly teeth cleaning. 6 - Choose the right toys and food: Hard food, or kibbles, is better than wet food for good dental health. The hard food acts as an abrasive against plaque. Dog biscuits work the same way. There are also toys designed for dogs that help with teeth How Often Should I get my teeth cleaned? cleaning. You dont go weeks without brushing your teeth, so dont let your dog go the same amount of time, either. Bad breath can be a sign of plaque buildup, intestinal disease, kidney disease, liver problems, or diabetes. If undetected, these problems can become severe. If you're brushing your pets teeth for the first time, make sure you take him to a professional. After that, establish a routine that works for both you and your How Often Should I get my teeth cleaned? dog. With the right routine, food, and toys, your dog will have pearly whites in no time.
0 Comments
Goetz said her new business is called Stephanie Goetz Communications and she will continue working in the Fargo-Moorhead area.
See previous Forum coverage on Goetz here "I'm going to miss working with everyone and the privilege of going into viewers' homes each night, greatly," Goetz said in a story posted on the TV station's website. "But I'm thrilled to take this step in helping to empower people, businesses and organizations in new ways." Since 2011 Goetz has anchored the 10 p.m. newscast for Valley News Live, which simulcasts on the http://twitter.com/top_tiz NBC and CBS affiliates KVLY-TV and KXJB-TV. She started as a 5 p.m. newscast anchor after leaving rival station WDAY-TV in 2010. WDAY and The Forum are owned by Forum Communications. "I'm going to miss all of you guys greatly," Goetz said at the end of the 10 p.m. newscast Tuesday night. Fellow http://transportation.dmas.virginia.gov/UserProfile/tabid/260/UserId/1783/Default.aspx anchor Mike Morken said, "We kind of work here with the idea that we're going to probably be here forever. But we know, especially with someone with your personality, that you're going to be striving to do something, something different, and this is your next challenge." "It's going to be fun," Goetz said. Her last day at the station is Jan. 22. Goetz declined to be interviewed Tuesday night. |