Dental Care & Ear Care

Dog dental care—it’s an important area of pet care that you can easily fall behind on. If your dog is a breed that is prone to dental disease (Greyhounds and every small-breed dog), or they have had many dental health issues in the past, it’s important to offer more than one type of at-home dental care in addition to the regular dental cleanings at the vet’s office.

Dog Dental Care Tips

Here are the best ways to keep your dog’s teeth and mouth as clean as possible and eliminate bad breath.

Brush your dog’s teeth with canine toothpaste.

Some dogs truly enjoy having their teeth brushed because canine toothpaste is usually flavored to suit a dog’s taste buds. Chicken, beef, and peanut butter are the most popular flavors. If your dog has a food allergy, use caution when choosing a flavor of toothpaste to use.

Dogs that are food-motivated and can sit still for a couple of minutes will generally do well with having their teeth brushed.

For large dogs, you can use a regular human toothbrush. For small dogs, it is best to either use a baby toothbrush or a fingertip brush. You can purchase a dog toothbrushing kit that includes the toothpaste, a regular brush, and a fingertip brush. (Example: Virbac C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kit for dogs)

Brushing your dog’s teeth is similar to brushing your own teeth. Just get the toothbrush wet and apply a layer of toothpaste to the toothbrush, then brush your dog’s teeth. If your dog will not let you brush the inside of their teeth, that is okay. You do not need to rinse the toothpaste out of their mouth after you’ve finished brushing, either.

Try to brush your dog’s teeth 2-3 days a week, but if you have the time and your dog enjoys it, brushing their teeth daily would be even better! If you are concerned that your dog may bite you if you brush their teeth, do not attempt it. Instead, try some of the following options.

Add dental powder to your dog’s meals.

VetriScience® Perio Support is a flavored dental powder that is easy to apply to the top of your dog’s food. It contains a probiotic that helps promote healthy bacteria in your dog’s mouth and simultaneously kills plaque-building bacteria.

The powder should be applied to every meal your dog eats. It helps freshen your dog’s breath and prevents tartar and plaque from building up on your dog’s teeth. 

Try a dental water additive.

There are several different water additives available for dogs, and they all work about the same.  These oral solutions are tasteless. Based on the directions on the bottle, you will add a certain amount of the water additive to your dog’s water bowl daily. The solution helps freshen your dog’s breath and kills plaque-building bacteria in your dog’s mouth.

Ask your vet about prescription dental food.

For dogs that are opposed to the other options or are very prone to periodontal disease, a few dog food companies make prescription dental food that have been clinically proven to help reduce dental disease.

As your dog chews the food, the kibble cleans the surface of their teeth, and by doing so, reduces tartar buildup. The kibble also contains ingredients that help to kill bacteria that lead to plaque and tartar formation.

Give your dog dental treats.

When you pick out dental treats or chews for your dog, make sure they have the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s Seal of Acceptance on the packaging, as this seal indicates that these products help control tartar buildup.

One example is the OraVet® chewable treat that is given once daily. These chews reduce plaque and tartar buildup and create a protective barrier on the surface of a dog’s teeth that makes it harder for bacteria to stick and form tartar. The Purina® Pro Plan® Veterinary Diets Dental Chewz also help significantly reduce tartar buildup and are to be given occasionally as treats.

Take your dog for regular dental cleanings.

No matter how much at-home dental care you provide for your dog, tartar will still build up over time on your dog’s teeth, just like with our teeth. We may brush our teeth daily, but we still need a dentist to clean our teeth periodically. The same is true for dogs.

When enough tartar and gingivitis are present in your dog’s mouth, your veterinarian will recommend a dental cleaning (called dental prophylaxis). Your dog will need to go under general anesthesia in order to allow a veterinarian to properly clean off all the tartar on their teeth as well as the layer of tartar under the gumline.

Some dogs need dental cleanings yearly, and others every few years; it depends on the breed of the dog and the dental care that they receive at home.

Ear infections are common in certain long-eared breeds, Dog owners should never put anything in their dog’s ears if an infection is suspected and should get them to their veterinarian right away. 

To avoid painful ear infections, follow these tips and tricks to ensure your dog’s ears remain clean and healthy.

PROPER CLEANING
Preventative Care

1. Understand Your Dog’s Ear Anatomy

A dog’s ear canal forms an “L” shape. It’s very long, with a 90-degree curve that is difficult to reach. A dog’s eardrum sits beyond this 90-degree curve, which means there is a relatively low risk of harming your dog while you’re attempting to clean its ears. Since most of your dog’s ear canal isn’t accessible, a gentle cleanser is needed to reach and clear the entire area. You should also know what a healthy dog's ear looks like—light pink with no apparent dirt or inflammation. The American Kennel Club provides insight on how to tell when your dog’s ears are ready for a cleaning.

2. Purchase An Ear Cleanser

A general-purpose ear cleanser is an essential part of a healthy ear-cleaning routine. These are specially designed for non-infected ears and help clean and remove debris from the ear canal. It can be used 1-3 times weekly with a cotton ball or gauze to gently wipe away excess wax and any visible debris. Dogs who do not suffer from chronic ear infections will not need their ears cleaned this often. It is ideal to check the ears at the time of a regular bath and remove any visible wax with a dry tissue or gauze. For dogs who swim regularly, more frequent cleanings will help prevent ear infections from forming.

3. Avoid Harsh Cleaners Or Instruments

The number one way a dog’s ears are harmed during the cleaning process is by using irritants such as alcohol-based wipes or Q-Tips that can put too much pressure on the ear canal. Hydrogen peroxide is also not acceptable, as it can irritate healthy skin cells and sensitive tissue. Stick to gentle ear cleansers designed for pets, along with cotton balls or gauze.

4. Clean When Your Dog Is Calm And Sleepy

An energized dog will not stay still and calm for an ear cleaning. Wait until just before bedtime to clean your dog’s ears, when they are relaxed and ready for a long night of sleep after a busy day. Give them gentle rubs while lying on their side to relax them even further.

To Clean Your Dog’s Ears Once They’re Relaxed:

• Hold their ear open while on their side and fill the exposed ear canal with cleanser.

• Fill their ear until you see the fluid, then gently pinch the ear closed to contain it.

• Gently massage the base of the ear for at least 30 seconds. You should hear the fluid swishing around. This action will loosen up any debris that you cannot reach.

• Release your pinch on the ear canal and allow your dog to shake just like they do when they’re wet, which will help to loosen debris further and bring it up higher in their ear canal.

• Use gauze or tear a cotton ball in half and wrap the cotton around your finger, and gently wipe away any debris as far into the ear canal as you can comfortably reach—but no deeper than one knuckle. Use your pinky for the easiest access, and wipe all the crevices.

5. Have A Towel Handy

Large breed dogs have large ear canals that will hold a considerable volume of ear cleanser. You will get sprayed when they shake after you’ve massaged their ear, and the ear cleanser will likely end up all over your dog’s face. You can use the towel to block the spray from hitting you and gently wipe their face afterward.

If you see excessive amounts of wax, smell a foul odor, blood is present, or your dog appears to be in pain from the cleaning, schedule a veterinarian visit. Those are signs of infection. The ASPCA details additional signs of ear infection.

Signs of an Ear Infections

Excess hair in the ear canal, earwax buildup, or too much moisture are only contributors to ear infections. Any dog can develop one at any time – regardless of age, breed, or medical history.

Common Root Causes of Ear Infections

• Allergies

• Parasites (like ear mites)

• Foreign bodies

• Hormone Imbalance

• Tumors or polyps

• Physical trauma (like deep scratches)
  
  

Contact your veterinarian as soon as you observe symptoms in your dog, so you can put the right treatment plan in place to get your furry friend on the mend.

Signs of an Ear Infection

• persistent head-tilting and head shaking

• aggressive scratching or rubbing against hard objects

• excessive licking, biting, or chewing on skin

• redness, swelling, or odor around the ears

• brown, yellow, or bloody discharge

• hair loss, crusts, or scabs around the ears

• reluctance to chew

• unusual eye movements

• loss of balance