Dog Dental Health

5 Serious Illnesses Caused by Canine Dental Disease

Dental health is one of the most neglected issues in dogs. Yet, neglected teeth can quickly lead to canine dental disease other serious–and often fatal–diseases. Dr. Kathryn Primm, owner of Apple Brook Animal Hospital, and Dr. Denise Petryk, Director of Veterinary Services at Trupanion Pet Insurance, shared with us some of the illnesses that can result from poor dental hygiene. #1 – Heart Valve Infections Dr. Primm: “Mouth bacteria can travel and settle on the heart valves. Bacterial endocarditis (infection … Read more

Why You Need To Brush Your Dog’s Teeth Daily

Daily toothbrushing is one of the most important things you can do for your pup’s health, yet very few dog owners make it part of their routine. Nobody wants another daily chore, but brushing is vital to ensuring your furry best friend’s mouth – and body – stay healthy and pain-free as long as possible. “It’s very important, maybe more so than what I do,” says veterinary dentist, Thoulton W. Surgeon. “What I do, in terms of removing calculus and … Read more

11 Best Dog Teeth Cleaning Products

Dog teeth cleaning products

iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Just like humans, dogs need teeth cleaning products to maintain their dental hygiene. Dogs who don’t have good dental health could be in pain or have extra stinky breath. However, dogs can’t brush their teeth on their own like we can, so it’s up to us to help them. We want to ensure that all dog parents … Read more

Two Things To Always Remember When Buying Bully Sticks

Bully sticks have become the most popular dog chew in the world, and for good reason. They’re 100% digestible, unlike rawhide and many other chews on the market. They’re high in protein and low in fat, making them a healthy option even for dogs who need to lose weight. They promote dental health by scrubbing off plaque and tartar before it has a chance to stick to your dog’s teeth. They come in varying shapes and sizes, making them a … Read more

An Easy Trick for Your Dog’s Water Bowl to Greatly Improve Their Dental Health

  Sadly, canine dental disease is an epidemic. And let’s be honest, we know we should be brushing our dog’s teeth daily, but it can be a huge inconvenience, and many former shelter or rescue dogs don’t take well to the routine, since they probably weren’t sensitized to it as puppies. Tragically though, many of our dogs are suffering in silence from dental pain, and may be on the road to more serious organ damage that is linked to periodontal … Read more

The Top 7 Questions Around Doggy Dental Health – ANSWERED

It may never have occurred to you to brush your dog’s teeth before, or maybe you’ve tried but your dog hates the toothbrush. Is it really that important to brush your dog’s teeth? What happens if you don’t do anything about your pup’s dental health? You may have lots of questions about doggy dental health, and we aim to provide you with answers. Here are the answers to the top 7 questions about how and why you need to care … Read more

The Easiest Way To Help Your Dog Maintain His Dental Health

It’s a sad fact that more than 80% of dogs have periodontal disease (problems with the teeth and gums) by the time they’re 3 years old. Most of those dogs will show no signs of pain or problems, either, unless you really know what to look for. What’s the big deal, anyway? Actually, failing to care for your dog’s teeth and gums can cause a wide variety of health problems that can affect more than just his mouth. Let’s look … Read more

A WHIMZEES® Chew A Day Helps Keep Doggie Dental Disease Away! Seriously.

If you found your way here to this page, odds are pretty high that you, well, love dogs. You even love them when they fight you [literally] tooth and nail to avoid having their teeth brushed. No one likes forcing a toothbrush across an unwilling dog’s teeth every day. Hey, even little humans take a few years to adjust to that idea. Still, dental hygiene is extremely important to your dog’s overall well-being – not just the way their breath … Read more

Simple Ways to Improve Your Dog’s Dental Health

dog with open mouth

You exercise your dog regularly, feed him healthy food, and give him his heartworm medicine on the first of every month. If you want to keep your dog as fit as can be, you must remember one other crucial element of his health: the mouth. Doggy dental care is just as important as any other aspect of your pooch’s wellbeing. This is how to do it right. Why do dog’s need dental care? You might be surprised to learn 80% of … Read more

Dogs are brushing their own teeth with this new “BreathBone”

How the BreathBone Makes Dental Maintenance Easy, Fun, and Tasty! We all know the importance of oral hygiene for our dogs. Sadly, over 80% of dogs over the age of 3 years old have some form of periodontal disease. By the time a dog is a senior, their dental health is often in dire straights, causing untold pain to the dog and horrific smelling breath. Brushing and periodic veterinary cleaning are an absolute must, but many dogs don’t take well … Read more

11 Hacks for Fresh Breath for Your Fur Baby

Oh, infamous dog breath. We’ve all smelt it, and our dogs have all dealt it. When we humans are struck with a terrible taste in the mouth, we get busy with the toothbrush before we let anyone near us. Our fur babies will happily smother us with stinky kisses, but we instinctively turn a cheek. The struggle against dog breath is real but modern dog living means we have the knowledge and the products to make those kisses smell sweeter. … Read more

“How I Taught My Dog to Brush His Own Teeth” (this invention could save your dog’s life!)

When Petros lost his first dog to canine oral disease, he was inspired to not let his rescued pit bull suffer the same fate. Watch his inspiring story and learn about the invention that might just revolutionize canine dental care. When we met Petros, we were inspired by his story and his passion for canine dental care. Sadly, Petros’ story isn’t unique, as nearly 80% of dogs over the age of 5 suffer from some kind periodontal disease. Advanced cases … Read more

Everything You Need To Know About Having Your Dog’s Teeth Cleaned

Halitosis, otherwise known as doggy breath, is a common complaint among pup parents. While bad breath is certainly a nuisance, it can also indicate your dog is at risk for more serious problems. At-home dental care is a great way to slow the effects of dental disease, but nothing is as effective as having your dog’s teeth cleaned professionally. What effect can dental disease have on your dog? According to the veterinary publication, DVM 360, periodontal disease is the most … Read more

After His Childhood Dog Died of Dental Disease, He Invented a Way for Dogs To Brush Their Own Teeth

When Petros lost his first dog to canine oral disease, he was inspired to not let his rescued pit bull suffer the same fate. Watch his inspiring story and learn about the invention that might just revolutionize canine dental care. When we met Petros, we were inspired by his story and his passion for canine dental care. Sadly, Petros’ story isn’t unique, as nearly 80% of dogs over the age of 5 suffer from some kind periodontal disease. Advanced cases … Read more

The Best Dog Dental Hygiene Hack Your Pup Will Love

Maintaining dental heath is one of the most important things we can do for our furry friends. Unfortunately, at-home oral care can be invasive and uncomfortable for some dogs, leaving well-intentioned pawrents clambering for an effective solution. Dental issues are frighteningly common, with the majority of dogs over three years of age already showing signs of periodontal disease. According to the American Veterinary Dental Association (AVDA), many owners do not pick up on these symptoms until their dogs are already … Read more

3 Reasons Dog Dental Health Matters

When it comes to dog dental health, many pet owners are still behind the curve. Although more and more are checking in for yearly anesthetic dentals by their veterinarians, others are still hesitant to spend the money. Many of us find it difficult to keep up a tooth brushing routine. Whatever the reason, we need to remember that dog dental health is important. In fact, it’s probably more important to your dog’s overall health than you realize. Dog Dental Health … Read more

One Company Is Giving Away These “Invisible” Dog Toothbrushes To Help You Start a Brushing Routine

Brushing our dog’s teeth. We all know we should be doing it, but if only our pups didn’t hate it so much! Sadly, over 80% of dogs over the age of 3 have some form of periodontal disease. Not only does dental disease cause mouth pain and bad breath, but bacteria that originally starts in the gums can spread to other vital organs and cause life threatening illnesses. One of the biggest barriers to brushing is, well, the brush! Who … Read more

5 Ideas for The 83% Of Us Who Don’t Brush Our Dog’s Teeth

A few weeks back, we asked the iHeartDogs Facebook fans the following question: Be honest now. What is your status on brushing your dog’s teeth? The results didn’t surprise us. Over 1,500 people responded, and a full 83% reported that they are not brushing their dog’s teeth as much as they should. After all brushing a dog’s teeth ranks up their with getting a cavity filled!     The problem, of course, is that we all know that proper canine … Read more

Your Dog Will Love This Chewy Treat… And You’ll Love Its Health Benefits!

Not every dog is willing to sit patiently while a human rubs strange things against their teeth. Brushing a dog’s teeth can feel like an impossible task, but keeping cavities away doesn’t have to be a losing battle. There’s no substitute for a good brushing, but a specialized dental treat can fight plaque on a daily basis—and the best part is, there’s no brush or toothpaste involved. There are plenty of products out there to choose from, but you need … Read more

Does Your Pup Have Bad Breath? Try These 5 Tips!

We love puppy kisses – what we don’t love is the dog breath that sometimes accompanies them! You don’t want to tell your dog to lay off the love, but you shouldn’t be gagging every time you catch a whiff of his breath. Bad breath is a sign that your dog’s dental routine could use a boost. Even if you’re getting regular cleanings at the vet, really great dental hygiene starts at home.  1. Tooth Brushing Tooth brushing is the … Read more

The Digestible, Teeth-Cleaning Chew Your Dog Will LOVE

The right doggy dental chews can help reduce plaque and tartar, preventing tooth pain and staving off illness. They also freshen breath, making cuddle time far more pleasant! Sadly, not all dental chews are as safe and effective as Happy, Healthy Brushy Sticks. Many commercial dog chews are not readily digestible, meaning they could become lodged in the stomach or intestines. These situations can quickly escalate to a life or death emergency involving painful, expensive surgery. Caring for your dog’s teeth … Read more

How To Take Care Of Your Senior Dog’s Teeth

Did you know that 80% of dogs will have some form of periodontal (gum) disease by the age of 2? That number certainly won’t improve as your dog ages. Dogs are five times more likely than humans to develop gum disease, and that can lead to a whole host of problems. Your senior dog isn’t just at risk of developing problems like mouth abscesses, tooth loss, and even a fractured jaw, but they are also at risk of developing heart, … Read more

Is Your Breed On This List? Take EXTRA Care With Their Teeth… It Could Save Their Life!

The thought of our dogs silently suffering from a easily preventable illness is absolutely heartbreaking. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, as many as 4 out of 5 dogs over the age of 3 are suffering from a disease that is not only painful, but outright deadly. What are we talking about? Canine periodontal disease. Unfortunately periodontal disease is more than just a cosmetic issue. In addition to causing inflammation, tooth loss, and pain for your dog, bacteria that starts … Read more

5 Tips For Pups Who Hate Dog Dental Care

What’s the big deal with dog dental care? The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) President, Dr. Ted Cohn, stated that although daily tooth brushing is advised for the best dog dental care, only about 2 percent of dog owners follow through. The most common reasons people don’t brush their dog’s teeth: My dog hates it and puts up a fight or fuss. I don’t have the time to do it. They get kibble, dog biscuits, and/or a chew toy so … Read more

After His Dog Died of Oral Disease, This Man Invented Something That Could Save Thousands of Dogs’ Lives

When Petros lost his first dog to canine oral disease, he was inspired to not let his rescued pit bull suffer the same fate. Watch his inspiring story and learn about the invention that might just revolutionize canine dental care. When we met Petros, we were inspired by his story and his passion for canine dental care. Sadly, Petros’ story isn’t unique, as nearly 80% of dogs over the age of 5 suffer from some kind periodontal disease. Advanced cases … Read more

4 Reasons You Should Be Giving Your Dog A Krill Supplement

The benefits of fish oil for dogs are well known.  It’s known to be great for skin and joint health. Did you know that krill has even more benefits for your dog than fish oil? Let’s take a look at 4 reasons you should be giving your dog a krill supplement. You might be surprised at all the benefits your dog has been missing out on! #1 – It improves your dog’s overall health Krill has a variety of different … Read more

Are Dog Dental Treats A Rip Off Or Serious Science?

While your pup is no fan of his toothbrush, he’s not immune to the negative health effects of plaque and tartar. Brushing your dog’s teeth on a daily basis is the gold standard when it comes to canine healthcare, but in reality, veterinarians know that doesn’t always happen. Convincing a rowdy puppy or anxious senior dog to sit still while you prod their mouth with bristles is a lot to ask, and pet owners are always looking for a better … Read more

Dog Dental Treats – Are They Worth The Price?

Canine dental treats have become very popular. The reason? Concerned pup parents want to keep their dog’s teeth clean and healthy. Dogs love them! Dental chews claim to supplement dog’s dental care by cleaning teeth, freshening breath, and helping to reduce plaque buildup and tartar. And you pay for that promise: some dental treats are more than $2 each. If you are feeding your dog one a day that’s $730 a year in just chews. But do these dental treats actually … Read more

The Scary Truth About Your Dog’s Bad Breath

Stinky doggie breath… all pups have it, right? While most do, it’s not as harmless as one might think. Veterinarians now know that bad breath in dogs (halitosis) can be a sign of a far more serious condition: periodontal disease. What Does Stinky Dog Breath Mean? Your Dog’s Breath Could Be Signaling a Deadly Disease Unfortunately, periodontal disease doesn’t just stop in the mouth. Bacteria that starts in the gums can work its way into the bloodstream and affect the lungs, … Read more

How To Help Your Pup Prevent Plaque And Tartar

You’ve heard your dentist rant about the dangers of plaque and tartar, and it’s safe to apply those same warnings to your dog’s oral health. If you need a refresher lesson, plaque is the gunk and bacteria that coats teeth after eating and drinking. When it’s left to sit on teeth for too long, it turns into a hard substance called tartar. Tartar causes everything from gum disease to tooth decay, and while your dog has been known to put … Read more

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    3 Reasons Your Dog Should Try Bully Sticks

    Bully sticks are becoming more and more popular among dog owners, especially as a safer alternative to rawhide. Although some owners are put off by bully sticks because of what they are - beef...

    3 Reasons Dog Dental Health Matters

    Dog dental health is probably more important to your dog’s wellness than you realize. Check out how his teeth can affect his overall health and happiness.