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Cleaning Your Dog's Teeth
Cavalier
King
Charles
Spaniels
are
subject
to
plaque
and
gum disease just as
humans are. Without a regular regimen of cleaning your dog's teeth, you
may be exposing your pet to more than just bad breath and periodental
disease. Bacteria in your dog's mouth can be picked up in the
bloodstream, resulting in heart and kidney problems and infections in
other areas of the body.
How to brush your dog's teeth
from Life's Abundance.
Cavalier King Charles
Spaniel puppies are born
without teeth. Their puppy teeth begin to fill in at about 5 weeks of
age and will be replaced by their adult teeth at around 4 months old.
Cavalier Spaniel puppies tend to swallow their puppy teeth (which is
rarely harmful).
Your Veterinarian will perform an oral examination during your pet's
annual check up and can give you a few tips on how to care for your
Cavalier Spaniel's mouth and teeth.
Once their adult teeth are established, begin
to brush your Cavalier King Charles
Spaniels teeth at home several times a
week. Ask your vet or pet supply store for flavored toothpaste to
make the experience
easier for both you and your pet! (Do not use human toothpaste! They
will swallow the toothpaste and it can make them sick.)
-
Allow your pet to become accustomed to having
his teeth cleaned gradually.
-
Choose a regular time of day for brushing your
dog's teeth and be sure to accompany the experience with lots of praise
and perhaps a treat when you're done.
-
Start by letting your Cavalier lick a little
bit of the toothpaste off your finger. Let him get used to the taste.
-
With a dab of toothpaste on your finger, run
your finger along the gum line, moving your finger as if it was a
toothbrush. You may need to place your free hand on top of your dog's
muzzle to hold his head steady as you insert your finger into his mouth.
- Some pet owners like to use a "finger brush" as
the next step in the progression. These are little rubber sleeves you
can buy at most pet stores that slip over your index finger and have a
short bristle pad on one side. Putting a little toothpaste on the
bristle pad, slide your finger - with the finger brush on - into your
pet's mouth and move along the teeth.
-
Finally, introduce a soft bristled toothbrush
to your Cavalier King Charles. A human toothbrush is fine, as long as
it has soft bristles, or you can get a pet toothbrush from your Vet or
local pet store. Use the index finger of your free hand to gently pull
your pet's lips or cheek aside, in order to allow space for you to
slide the toothbrush into his mouth. Start by cleaning the front
incisors and, as your pet become familiar with the process, move along
the sides to the back teeth, eventually brushing the entire mouth.
-
Periodically, your Veterinarian may recommend
a professional cleaning for your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's teeth.
Though professional cleaning can be expensive, and is performed under
general anesthetic, it may be necessary to maintain your dog's health
if your at-home dental care has not adequately prevented tartar build
up and gingivitis from forming
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