Dental Hygiene
If you want your shepherd's teeth and gums to remain healthy and pain-free throughout his life, you can't leave his dental care up to nature. Your German shepherd will need your assistance, and there are several ways that you can help. The food and treats you feed your dog, the chews and toys you give him, and the attention you pay to his dental health can make a big difference.
For starters, dry dog food is healthier for teeth and gums than wet or semimoist food because the hard kibble helps to scrape away plaque from the teeth and around the gums. Some dog foods are made specifically for dogs that suffer from gingivitis — or for dogs whose owners don't want their dogs to suffer from tooth or gum disease.
Knucklebones, hard rubber toys, and other chew items provide another opportunity for the shepherd to rid his teeth of plaque and keep his gums clean. Tied or twisted rope toys also help to remove plaque while the dog is playing.
Something else you might not know is that you can brush your dog's teeth. Your veterinarian may give you a starter kit for this. It will include a finger brush (a rubber cap with small rubber knobs on it that fits over your finger) and canine toothpaste. You can begin by rubbing the finger brush with the toothpaste over your dog's teeth and gums. As he begins to accept this, you can move up to a canine toothbrush. If you can clean your dog's teeth once a week, you'll be well on your way to preserving his dental health.
Do not use human toothpaste to brush your shepherd's teeth! Dogs do not know how to spit and will lick off and swallow every bit of the toothpaste that's in their mouths. Human toothpastes contain fluoride, as well as whiteners, baking soda, mouthwash, and other toxic ingredients. Only use toothpastes formulated for dogs.
When you have your puppy spayed or neutered, ask your veterinarian if she can give your shepherd a fluoride treatment while he is anesthetized. If you have an older shepherd, your veterinarian may want to anesthetize him so that she can clean his teeth thoroughly before giving him a fluoride treatment. After the teeth-cleaning and fluoride treatment, your veterinarian may prescribe a wash to be squirted on your dog's teeth and gums. This solution helps to break down plaque and tartar buildup and will make your brushings a little easier.
The one thing you don't want to do is ignore your shepherd's teeth. The days of throwing the dog a bone and hoping for the best are over.
