Many owners don’t realize how important it is to take care of their German Shepherd’s teeth . The importance of this care increases with the age of the dog. The ideal way to guarantee good dental health for our dog is to start when they are puppies , or in case of adopting an adult German shepherd from the first moment of adoption.
Since in general dogs do not like to have their mouth touched, the ideal is to accustom them when they are small. To get your dog used to having its mouth and teeth examined, it is best to start touching the dog’s mouth when it is a puppy or as soon as we have adopted it. In this way, you will avoid future problems for the vet when you need to examine your dog’s mouth.
You can start by touching the outside of the mouth, opening the mouth, gently touching the jaw and teeth. This exercise can be repeated daily until the dog is used to being examined in this way.
Make this a regular part of your interactions with your dog to ensure that they remain calm when the vet needs to perform a preventive dental exam.
Good dental health for your dog is paramount to its overall health and is well worth this little dedication, which you can be sure will result in numerous benefits for your German Shepherd. In addition to eliminating many potential health problems , such as possible heart, kidney, and liver disease. Clean teeth help prolong the life of your German Shepherd.
Index
Basic information about the dental health of dogs
Similar to humans, dog dental health has a lot to do with overall health. Infections in the mouth can spread to the heart and the rest of the body.
Keeping a dog’s mouth clean and healthy doesn’t have to be time consuming or difficult . A well-behaved and socialized German Shepherd will sit down and let his owner brush his teeth, which is the best way to keep the dog’s mouth clean and infection-free.
A dog needs a healthy mouth because its teeth are used for much more than just eating. Here we list some of the most common dental problems in German Shepherds and in dogs in general.
Main dental problems of the German Shepherd
- Plaque and Tartar: The accumulation of plaque and tartar is not only annoying for your dog, but it can also be an indicator of the existence of cavities and even more important dental health problems. Tartar are yellow or brown spots that appear on the teeth due to the action of bacteria that convert the plaque that accumulates on the teeth after ingestion of food into tartar.
- Gingivitis: Gingivitis is a fairly common dental disease in the German Shepherd. Today most dogs are fed a diet that is considerably different from what their ancestors ate. They ate a lot of foods that helped with dental hygiene. Today, if a dog is given only canned food, it can have enough bacteria and tartar in its mouth to develop gingivitis. This condition inflames the gums and can cause inflammation (periodontal disease).
- Periodontal disease : Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums and teeth. The infection is inside the gums and under the teeth, so no major problems may be seen when the dog’s mouth is visually examined. Advanced gingivitis can also cause acute pain in the dog.
- Pain: While German Shepherds are unlikely to whine when in pain, having pain can make them aggressive, especially if you try to touch their mouth. If you notice a decrease in appetite and the dog avoids drinking water, probably because it is sensitive to colder water temperatures, it is possible that your German Shepherd has a dental problem that causes pain.
If the dog’s dental diseases are not controlled, it may cause it to lose part of its teeth, develop mouth ulcers and even other types of infections.
How to care for a German shepherd’s teeth
To avoid the main dental problems of your German Shepherd you must ensure that he does not have bad breath, excessively drool, have discolored or inflamed gums or have visible tartar on his teeth. In the case of any of these symptoms you should improve their dental and oral hygiene, and in the case of worsening take them to the vet.
Here are some actions that will help your dog maintain healthy and clean teeth .
Brushing your teeth
You can use a normal toothbrush, but use a toothpaste suitable for the dog, ask your vet or in a pet store. Pay particular attention to the back teeth of the upper jaw, as these teeth are more prone to tartar build-up. Brush once or twice a week, or every day if necessary.
Feed your German Shepherd dry food
Crunchy dogs need something to chew on. The texture of dry dog food not only helps remove tartar and plaque, it also helps strengthen the jaw bones.
Raw leather or stale bread for dental care
Let him chew on some rawhide or pieces of dry, stale bread. These foods are a great way to get your dog to “brush” his teeth. Vigorous chewing will clean up leftover food particles and plaque, can help relieve tension in the jaw, and strengthen the jaw muscles. There are even rawhide bones specifically designed to help keep your dog’s teeth clean.
Using a dental health spray for dogs
There are dental sprays specifically for dogs that help combat plaque build-up. Look for one that improves your breath, but doesn’t contain any alcohol or xylitol.
Dental care of an old German shepherd
Older German Shepherds often suffer from bad teeth and related health problems. As dogs age, their teeth begin to become more brittle and less functional. You may start to notice that your dog has lost some teeth or that some of his teeth have broken or started to deteriorate.
Brushing your dog’s teeth is one of the best preventatives, as is giving your dog a high-quality dry food.
Always keep your dog’s teeth brushing and if you notice any problem with his teeth, take him to the vet so he can suggest a technique or a product that can relieve pain and keep your dog’s mouth healthy.
I love the animals. Reading and writing about them, their customs, their peculiarities or the attention they require is exciting, and I also believe that it makes us better people. I share articles that solve the questions that dog caregivers face on a daily basis.