Young Blue Roan English Cocker Spaniel

Most People do not realise that dog dental care is just as important for dogs as it is for human beings.
You go for a check-up every 6 months but your poor spaniel has to wait until it hurts.
Just like you,your spaniel has teeth that can gather plaque after eating. When this plaque builds up and hardens it becomes a coarse brown substance called tartar.This usually starts at the edge of the gums and grows down the teeth.

When tartar accumulates it can work its way under the gums and cause painful infections and gum disease. This goes on in the mouths of dogs just like it does in people. You brush your teeth every day, probably three times. What does your dog do?
How often do you clean your spaniels teeth ?

How to brush your pets teeth.
Veterinarians recommend that dog owners brush Spaniels teeth at least twice a week to keep the buildup of tartar at a minimum. Most pet supply stores carry specially designed toothbrushes and toothpaste just for dogs.
You can of course use a regular medium grade tothbrush and doggy toothpaste (but keep it in a separate place so you do not
mix it up with your own toothpaste ...)

Spaniels have a highly evolved sense of taste and smell which is far more acute than that of a human and the yummy minty taste that we love on toothpaste will taste truly awful to a Spaniel.If you were to try clean a Spaniels teeth with a common human toothpaste like colgate (excellent for humans) could be the last time you get a toothbrush anywhere near him/her.They really find it distasteful.A Spaniel has over 100 times as many taste and smell buds and receptors as we do.Imagine smelling everything 100 times as strongly and you will get the idea.
Use a specially designed dog toothpaste.

Dental Chews
If you do not have time to clean your pets teeth on a regular basis then dog chews can really help. . Spaniels have anatural tendency to chew and this is in fact a built-in dental care mechanism.
Dog biscuits break into small chunks when chewed and rub against the teeth, providing a cleaning service. This is not really a good substitute for cleaning your Pets teeth with a toothbrush but it is better than nothing.
There are now several brands of Dog chews that have a slight abrasive action and these usuallly work better than dog biscuits..

Does Your Spaniel have a mouth disease ?

Mouth diseases have several causes :
1: sugary foods (your pet loves them but they are NOT good for himm/her) These willl eventually cause tooth decay.
2: lack of foods that will also clean doggy teeth.
This can produce Gingivitus (an inflammation of gums leading to swollen gums that are inflamed)
This can also lead to a bacterial infection that can seriously damage your Spaniels health

Your Veterinery Surgeon and Dentistry.
In the unlikely event that your dog has to have dental treatment,most vets will anaesthetise your pet.
Dogs do not usually realise what is happening and the vet will not want to get bitten !
Anaesthesia is usually safe but there is a very small risk that your pet may not awaken again if the vet does ot properly monitor your spaniel and his/her vital signs..
It is far easier and safer for your pet if you properly look after his.her teeth properly

Spaniel teeth can be filled, capped, and even extracted if necessary, just like human teeth. The best course of action, however, is to avoid the need for such services by properly caring for the teeth of your Spaniel.. You can avoid unnecessary pain and discomfort for your furry friend and you should do so. Spaniel dental care can be very costly (possibly more than Human Dental Care.). .