Three Little Sisters and Brushing Up On Good Oral Hygiene

This week's featured pets are Chihuahua-Jack Russell pups. When these three sisters were found at a truck stop they were scared, hungry and sad. Their life has changed thanks to a PAWS volunteer who rescued them and to their foster home.

All of them are small – under five pounds – and will not get much bigger. They are friendly, happy and adjusting to their new life very well. Each one has a unique personality and is looking for the right human. To meet Abby, Gracie or Lilah, contact PAWS at http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/18988730 or call 440-442-PAWS.

If you already have a dog and are concerned about their bad breath or possible tooth decay, review the information below for new ideas.

Your dog may not need their teeth pearly white, but clean teeth and healthy pink gums are a mark of  a healthy pet. With clean teeth not only will you avoid the doggy breath “ick” moment, you will also avoid one of  causes of kidney, liver and heart disease.

If you have tried brushing your dog's teeth in the past, it might be time to try again. There are many new flavors of toothpaste such as salmon, liver, and mint. Brush styles have also evolved. There are “V” shaped brushes that cover all three sides of a tooth at once, soft fingertip brushes, and ergonomically designed brushes with a slight curve for a better grip.

Brushing may not be for everyone. If your dog likes to chew there are two basic options. You can add a bit of dog toothpaste to a Kong-like chew with ridges. The toothpaste helps clean, and the ridges massage the gums and work the paste into the teeth. A digestible option is the specially formulated dental chew. Some come in the shape of a green toothbrush, others look like a long stick. Several flavors are available, in a meat or vegetable base.

Most dogs see these as treats, and even finicky chewers take quickly to one of the many brands. Depending on your dog’s style of chewing these may be demolished quickly, and might cause stomach upset if too many are ingested at once.

Enzymes for food and water seem to work well for some animals. These powdered additives are easy to add, and often go unnoticed. Formulated for both dogs and cats, they make your life simple. The down side to this is animals need to be closely monitored for food and water consumption. Some boycott anything unusual, and will cut down their liquids and even food to avoid a new flavor.

Gels and sprays are the newest product on the market. Part of their popularity lies in that they can be quickly applied to the gums and teeth, with little fuss. Tartar can soften up in just several application, and be removed with chews, brush or crunchy food.

The only best method is one that is used regularly. Depending on your schedule and time frame you may consider several methods for keeping your dog's teeth healthy and their breath fresh.