Dental Care for Shih-Tzus
July 3, 2009 in Grooming, Health by admin
We brush them, bathe them and buy them tons of toys, but often we over look one of the most important things about our Shih-Tzus. A Shih-Tzu's teeth are essential to their daily living; they clean with them, eat with them and play with them. However, due to a number of circumstances beyond their control they often end up needing teeth extracted in numbers. Fortunately, there are plenty of things that we can do as owners and caregivers to minimize the likelihood of our Shih-Tzu needing dental work.
Starting your Shih-Tzu off with a tooth care regimen at a young age is always a good idea. This will help decrease the likelihood that your Shih-Tzu will need dental intervention. It will also help the Shih-Tzu develop a tolerance for the activity. Optimally, you should brush your Shih-Tzu’s teeth daily. However, if that is not feasible brush them every other day. The more often that you brush your Shih-Tzu’s teeth, the quicker that they will become accustom to having it done.
There are many dental products for puppies on the market currently. It is important that you purchase pet toothpaste. Toothpaste that is made for humans can be harmful to your Shih-Tzu. You can find toothpaste that contains fluoride for puppies, but it is not 100% necessary. Puppies that already have dental issues, like gum disease may benefit from pet toothpaste with fluoride.
Leba III Dental Spray for Dogs and Cats
Selecting a toothbrush can be tricky. There are many different types of toothbrushes to choose from. The easiest style of brush to use is the finger brush. This brush fits easily over your finger. This style of brush works well for smaller Shih-Tzus who have an adverse reaction to getting their teeth brushed. You can also use dental pads for Shih-Tzus that are difficult. When you choose a toothbrush, the most important thing is to select a brush that is made for puppies; they are softer and smaller than our brushes.
Staying relaxed and positive is essential to your Shih-Tzu taking to getting their teeth brushed. Practice brushing their teeth with just your finger and a yummy liquid. Next, move on to practicing with gauze and a yummy liquid. You will gently move in a circular motion to remove any plaque.
When you graduate to the actual brushing instrument, let the Shih-Tzu inspect it. Letting them sniff, lick and even bite their toothbrush may help to alleviate any anxiety they have about it being in their mouth. You can start by brushing the outside of your Shih-Tzu’s canine teeth and gradually increase the number of teeth you brush each day. Eventually, you will be brushing all your Shih-Tzu’s teeth daily, both on the inside and out.
Toys and diet can also be a part of your Shih-Tzu’s dental care. Dry food tends to cause less plaque then wet food. So, it is an important part of your Shih-Tzu’s diet even if it is not their sole source of nourishment. Avoid foods with excess sugars or gluten and limit table scraps. Poor diet is definitely a contributing factor to dental problems. This may become more apparent later in your Shih-Tzu’s life.
Besides diet, the toys that you give your Shih-Tzu can play an important role in their overall dental health. Pet stores are filled with toys that can help remove plaque when chewed on. You can buy soft cloth and rope toys that wipe away plaque. Some Shih-Tzus prefer chewing on harder toys. They have many dental bones and snacks available that are a bit tougher. The most important thing is that you make certain your Shih-Tzu is not chewing hard enough to break or chip a tooth. Dental toys are a great way to supplement brushing your Shih-Tzu’s teeth, especially if you do not brush them daily.
Regardless of your Shih-Tzu’s age, it is important that you start implementing a puppy dental care routine. Dental intervention with your vet, if need can be expensive and uncomfortable for you pet. Veterinarian dental care can be avoided or minimized if you make your Shih-Tzu’s teeth as much a priority to you as they are to your Shih-Tzu.
