How to Maintain Siberian Husky’s Dental Health？

Photo：CC

Dental health is an important part of your dog’s overall wellness and should not be overlooked. As it is the most common chronic problem in pets, affecting 80% of all dogs by age two. Unfortunately, this is even more so if you own a Siberian Husky, who are more prone to dental problems than some other breeds. Some Siberian Husky have pearly white teeth that stay that way their entire lives with little or no brushing, whereas others have significant tartar build-up on their teeth within months of professional cleaning.[1] Keeping your pup’s teeth clean has been emphasized all the time, yet a lot of people are still simply unaware of the risks.

The danger of not keeping the teeth clean

Just like people, there are many oral diseases that could lead to even greater problems for your dog. It starts with tartar build-up on the teeth and progresses to infection of the gums and roots of the teeth. If we don’t prevent or treat dental disease, it may lead to bad breath and periodontal disease, which can cause tooth loss and systemic infection and even be in danger of damaging the dog’s kidneys, liver, heart, and joints. In fact, your Husky’s life span may be cut short by one to three years.[2]  

[1] 2 https://www.pet-medcenter.com/storage/app/media/_petbreed/siberian-huskypdf

Photo: siberianhusky.com

How do I know the dog may have an oral problem?

Get to know that your dog has oral discomfort may not be easy. This is part of its ancestry -- in the wild, showing pain would make a dog vulnerable to attack. And till now, those domestic canines maintain this instinct, so you have to do your best to watch for signs: changes to eating habits or loss of appetite, unusual night awakenings, rubbing the face against things or facial swelling.[1] And one thing to bear in mind, any time you suspect a problem, check with your vet.

How to keep a Siberian Husky’s teeth clean?

To effectively prevent potential dental illness, we have summarized three things we can do at home to help keep your Husky’s teeth clean.

• Brush their teeth regularly

Brushing teeth is probably the most effective way to prevent dental disease and tooth decay. You can have your veterinarian clean your Siberian Husky’s teeth under anesthesia, or you can easily do it yourself, but don’t use human toothpaste or household baking soda. The ingredients in these products will make your dog sick.

But to be honest, it’s not always the easiest thing to do. Don’t feel discouraged if the first time doesn’t go as planned – many dogs and puppies need to be started slowly as it is an odd sensation for them. But with a little positive training and patience, you’ll be able to make it without issue.[2]

[1] http://www.animalplanet.com/pets/healthy-pets/5-common-dog-tooth-problems/

[2] https://barkforce.com/en/siberian-husky-dental-health

Photo: barkforce

• Quality Dental Chews

Quality dental chews are a major benefit to your Husky’s overall health and well-being. They are made specifically to clean your dog’s teeth. The chewing action scrapes off plaque and tartar, and they are filled with ingredients to help prevent further build-up and make your dog’s breath fresher. What’s better is that most dogs absolutely love a good dental chew as usually, they are a delicious treat that your dog won’t even know it is for their dental cleanness. Dental chews are one of the easiest ways to improve your dog’s dental health, but be careful when considering a quality chew as many products contain questionable ingredients, or excessive fat or calories[1].

• Choose dog toys carefully

Siberian teeth can slice through the average supermarket dog toy in a matter of seconds, posing choking and obstruction hazards. Provide your Siberian with chew toys designed for powerful chewers – durable toys he can’t bite into pieces but that satisfy his need to chew and help clean his teeth. Toys made of nylon, polyurethane, or very strong rubber are the most popular Siberian-tested, owner-approved choices[2].

[1] https://barkforce.com/en/siberian-husky-dental-health

[2] https://www.huskyrescue.org.za/keep-siberian-huskys-teeth-clean/