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 dogs is to start from when they are puppies, or in the case of adopting an adult German shepherd from the first moment of adoption.
Main dental problems of the German Shepherd
- Plaque and tartar: Plaque and tartar buildup is not only annoying to your dog but can also be an indicator of cavities and even larger dental health issues. Tartar is yellow or brown stains that appear on the teeth due to the action of bacteria that convert the plaque that accumulates on the teeth after eating food into tartar.
- Gingivitis: Gingivitis is a fairly common dental disease in the German Shepherd. Today, most dogs eat a diet that is considerably different from that of their ancestors. They ate many foods that helped dental hygiene. Today, if a dog is only fed canned food, he can get enough bacteria and tartar in his mouth to end up developing 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 within the gums and under the teeth, so you may not see any major problems when you visually examine the dog’s mouth. Advanced gingivitis can also cause acute pain in the dog.
- Pain –While German Shepherds are unlikely to whimper when in pain, being in 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 he is sensitive to the colder temperature of the water, it is possible that your German Shepherd has a dental problem that causes pain.
If the dental diseases of the dog are not controlled, it may lose part of its teeth, develop ulcers in the mouth, and even other types of infections.
How to take care of the teeth of the German shepherd
To avoid the main dental problems of your German Shepherd, you should make sure that he does not have bad breath, drool excessively, have discolored or inflamed gums, or have visible tartar on his teeth. In the case of any of these symptoms, you should improve his dental and oral hygiene, and if it gets worse, take him to the vet.
Below we detail some actions that will help your dog maintain healthy and clean teeth.
· Tooth Brushing
You can use a normal toothbrush, but use a toothpaste suitable for the dog, ask the vet, or a pet store. Pay special attention to the back teeth of the upper jaw, as these teeth are more prone to tartar buildup. Brush once or twice a week, or every day if necessary.
· Feed Your German Shepherd Dry Food.
Dogs need something to chew and crunch. The texture of dry dog food not only helps remove tartar and plaque but also helps strengthen the jaw bones.
· Rawhide Or Stale Bread For Dental Care
Let him chew on some rawhide or pieces of dry, hard bread. These foods are a great way to get your dog to “brush” his teeth. Vigorous chewing will clean away leftover food particles and plaque, can help relieve jaw tension, and strengthen jaw muscles. There are even rawhide bones specifically designed to help keep your dog’s teeth clean.
· Use A Dog Dental Health Spray
There are dental sprays specifically for dogs that help fight plaque buildup. Look for one that improves breath, but does not contain any type of alcohol or xylitol.
Dental Care of an old German shepherd
Older German Shepherds often suffer from bad teeth and related health problems. As dog’s 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 decay.
Brushing your dog’s teeth is one of the best preventatives, as is giving your dog high-quality dry food.
Always keep your dog’s teeth brushed and if you notice any problem with his teeth, take him to the vet so he can suggest a technique or product that can relieve pain and keep your dog’s mouth healthy.
You can also contact reputable CA German shepherd breeders to give you advice on how to take care of your German shepherd teeth. Visit wustenbergerland.com/puppies-for-sale for their current litters today!