Shih Tzus are beautiful little dogs that belong to a healthy breed. They have a good life span and once you adopt them, they will stick around you for a long period. To ensure a healthy and long life for your pet, taking good care of their health is important.
Oral health is as important as looking out for their health in general. Ignoring dental issues can have severe repercussions and your dog can get serious illnesses.
Following good dental hygiene can be good for your Shih Tzu. They can feel fresh and lively and you always get a chance to enjoy their sweet smelled kisses. Our easy tips can help you save some time and you can follow them even when in a hurry.
How To Keep Your Shih Tzu’s Teeth Clean?
How to keep your Shih Tzu’s teeth clean? There are three ways to keep your Shih Tzu’s teeth clean: regular brushing, chew toys, and a proper diet. Regular brushing(every day) is best for pet parents who have a lot of free time on their hands whereas chew toys are great for busy pet parents. On other hand, feeding a Shih Tzu with a proper diet can be utilized by both types of pet parents.
So, a proper tooth brushing routine can save them from getting oral issues. Even if you are a busy owner, take out time for a quick brush. This routine keeps their teeth clean and they are always fresh-smelling cute little creatures.
Similarly, you can use dental sprays to give your Shih Tzu a refreshing breath. They can be easily used once or twice a day. You have to spray it in small portions on your Shih Tzu’s teeth and they will be squeaky clean. Dental sprays can also help in removing plaque-causing germs and your pet will be saved from multiple oral diseases.
Another very good habit that can assist you in keeping your dog’s teeth clean is giving them chew toys. These toys are made up of different materials like plastic, rubber, etc.
You can experiment with different articles to get the right one that your Shih Tzu likes. These chewing toys not only help them in soothing their teeth but also clean them. It is the natural instinct of Shih Tzus to chew on everything they have around.
Whether your pet is a puppy or an adult Shih Tzu, they would like to explore different things by chewing them. Providing them with the right toys can keep their oral health in check and they will always be happy playing.
How Often Should You Brush Your Shih Tzu’s Teeth?
How often should you brush your Shih Tzu’s teeth? Shih Tzus need to brush their teeth at least once a day with a good dog toothbrush. This practice can prevent several oral diseases and your dog will always have fresh breath. The best way to instill this habit is to make it a routine.
If you are new to this routine always make sure to relax your Shih Tzu first. Once your pet is in a good mood and in a comfortable position, only then start brushing.
Then, clean your dog’s teeth for at least 2 minutes to remove all the food particles from the teeth. If you have good toothpaste, your Shih Tzus teeth will always be clean just by following this practice on daily basis.
Another important factor that should be kept in mind while getting supplies is buying the right toothpaste and toothbrush. Always get a dog’s toothpaste and never use a human paste on them.
It contains harmful elements that can be dangerous for your dog. Also, they swallow the toothpaste as kids do, so get a good flavored one as per your dog’s liking. You can experiment with different flavors and settle on the one that your dog prefers.
Similarly, choose the toothbrush wisely. It should be according to the size of your dog’s mouth. This is very important for cleaning the gums properly. If the brush cannot reach the back of the mouth some of the food particles will not be removed. It can lead to different oral diseases afterward.
Here is a high-quality toothbrush and toothpaste on amazon.com.
How To Naturally Clean a Shih Tzu’s Teeth
You can use natural ingredients like coconut oil instead of toothpaste for cleaning your dog’s teeth. You can also feed them food that needs an ample amount of chewing that will aid in cleaning their teeth. The natural cleaning process is a healthy way of improving your dog’s oral hygiene. As these things are organic, they do not harm your dog’s overall health and you also get spotless teeth.
Coconut oil is an ideal replacement for toothpaste. Using it periodically can help you in fighting tooth decay. It also prevents gum diseases which is a usual problem with the Shih Tzus. You can easily make your pet familiar with Coconut oil. You can coat your dog’s favorite treat with a bit of coconut oil and make them chew it.
This helps in cleaning their teeth naturally. Coconut oil has antibacterial qualities, so, it can keep germs away from your Shih Tzu. Your dog’s digestive health can also improve along with his oral health with the use of coconut oil.
Another natural food that can give your Shih Tzu clean teeth is raw carrots. Give your Shih Tzus small pieces of carrots. They need to break it down, chew it, and then eat it. This chewing process keeps their teeth clean and shiny.
You can also make your own toothpaste with two simple, all-natural ingredients. Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with one tablespoon of water and you can make a natural toothpaste. You can then cinnamon or olive oil to add flavor to it to your pet’s liking.
You can use this instant solution if your dog is new to brushing or you are out of the dog’s toothpaste. Taking care of your Shih Tzu’s teeth is as important as managing their health in general. If you follow a proper brushing routine and take care of the food they eat, you can save them from gum problems.
They never face oral diseases and you always find them happy and healthy beside you. You can shower them with limitless kisses and enjoy cuddling sessions with their refreshing breath all day long. Just follow these simple tips and always have a fun time together.
