TEETH

It appears to be an acknowledged fact, among most veterinary people who have had dealings with greyhounds, that they (the greyhounds, not the vet peeps!) seem to have more dental problems than most other dog breeds. However, having said that, we should point out that, even within the greyhound breed, dogs will show vastly different levels of dental problem; some, who never get any treatment, will show no problems at all, while others, who get their teeth brushed or eat ‘dental’ products daily, will still need regular dental treatment.

It is thought in some circles that the ‘soft’ diet greyhounds get in their racing career may be a cause, others seem to think it is something to do with the length of their mouth itself, the debate goes on…

Some ways that you can help you greyhound to maintain healthy teeth and gums are listed below:

Brushing

If your dog has serious tooth/gum problems there is really nothing that will be as effective as regular brushing. A simple paste made from Bicarbonate of Soda seems to be one of the most effective remedies, and is extremely cheap.

However, most dogs do not like letting people into their mouths to work on their teeth. You should train your dog by slow, gently progression, to allow you to brush their teeth (just don’t use treats that will harm their teeth as rewards!)

Chews

There a variety of products available commercially which many dogs seem to enjoy, they not only act as a ‘brushing’ agent on the surface of the tooth, but they give their jaw muscles some exercise, too. If your dog doesn't have too much of a plaque problem, these will probably be enough. Please be aware, however, that chewing alone will not cure a serious gum problem, if your  dog has a problem that persists, seek your Vet’s advice.

Type of food.

Some companies produce a type of dry food that is purported to reduce tartar build up. This will only be effective if your dog chews up the food in it’s dry state. If he, like some seem to do, just seems to ‘inhale’ his food, it wont do him much good. Raw or roasted bones can also help, many greyhound trainers allow their to gnaw bones under controlled conditions.

Chemical Treatment

Many animal medical product websites carry food and water additives to help keep plaque at bay. They also have many tooth maintenance products - toothbrushes, toothpastes and other products and additives - for dental use on dogs. But again, please be aware, that most of these will be  more in the way of treatment for minor problems, rather cures for major problems

Always Remember

If in doubt, get  your dog's teeth checked by your Vet, and  work on their advice.

Article researched and provided by your friendly Webmaster himself...