Chihuahua dental care is more critical than some breeds because they are prone to dental problems that can lead to severe issues. Taking care of your pet’s teeth is vital, regardless of breed.
The Chihuahua’s slightly soft teeth help cause plaque buildup. It begins in the gum line but can travel to other parts of his body. Plaque makes the dospeciesceptible to bacteria that can cause infection, tooth decay, and, and itth loss.
Dental Issues Chihuahuas Face.
The most common dental problem that Chihuahuas face is plaque, tartar, infections, and tooth decay. Plaque is the bacteria that forms a layer on your Chihuahua’s teeth. More severe problems can happen if left untreated.
Dogs and humans both have bacteria in our mouths. After we eat and drink, bacteria in plaque produce acid. This acid destroys tooth enamel and causes gum disease. Through a combination of saliva and food, the bacteria grows and causes plaque, tartar, and tooth decay.
That means that a source of your Chihuahua’s plaque is food. Some foods can increase plaque formation, like milk and sugar. Also, some medications can contribute to plaque formation. Chihuahuas and other breeds with small jaws and teeth need special treatment to ensure these issues don’t happen.
There are ways to keep your Chihuahua’s teeth clean and healthy.
Does my Chihuahua have dental issues?
Sometimes Chihuahua owners don’t know what to look for. Toy Breeds can be challenging to notice potential issues. It’s essential to be able to tell if your dog has dental problems in the first place. Look for the following:
Did my Chihuahua’s eating habits change?
If your Chihuahua doesn’t seem interested in eating, he may have dental issues. When dogs have pain, they become uninterested in eating. He may eat a little or stop eating altogether. His eating habits could indicate a problem with his teeth.
Does my Chihuahua have bad breath?
You smell bad breath when your dog is trying to kiss your face. It could mean your Chihuahua has an infection, an abscessed tooth, or a problem with his gum. Bacteria at the site of infection cause bad breath. Bacteria can spread to your Chihuahua’s bloodstream and cause a more severe health problem. If you notice bad breath, visit your vet as soon as possible.
Does my Chihuahua have bleeding gums?
Suppose you can see bloodstains on your Chihuahua’s toys or near his feeding bowls. In that case, your Chihuahua may have a gum infection. Remember that occasional bleeding with toys could be caused by biting or chewing and may be no cause for alarm.
Does my Chihuahua have red and swollen gums?
Your Chihuahua may have an infection if his gums are dark red and swollen. Swollen gums indicate something is wrong with your dog’s teeth. Other areas of your Chihuahua’s face can swell if you don’t get this attended to.
Is my Chihuahua drooling more than usual?
Constant drool is an indicator of pain in your Chihuahua’s mouth. Drooling is customary in some breeds of dogs. Call the vet if you notice too much drooling.
Does my Chihuahua have any strange new behaviors?
You know your Chihuahuas’ normal behavior better than anyone. When your dog starts doing things you haven’t seen before, look to see if he is in pain. Dogs with dental pain will act strangely. Your Chihuahua might cry when he yawns, sneeze more than usual, scratch his ears, or swat at his face.
Is my Chihuahua depressed or has no energy?
Dogs may be irritable and sleep more than usual. They may be in pain. Some Chihuahuas will go off alone, hide, or be uninterested in their favorite toy.
Does my Chihuahua have yellow or discolored teeth?
Just like us, tartar can cause teeth to be yellow or turn a light brown. If the tartar is not taken care of, it will cause a more serious dental issue. Regular vet checkups help to prevent dental problems. Most vets recommend you have your Chihuahua’s teeth cleaned yearly. Issues to contact your vet for would be any of the above.
White or yellow plaque can be difficult to spot near the gum line or between the teeth. Discolored teeth could point to dental problems if you notice anything strangely colored on your Chihuahua’s teeth.
Tartar and plaque, how to deal with it?
What can you do right now to help your Chihuahua? Prevention is the best way to combat dental issues in your Chihuahua’s mouth. Removing plaque and tartar buildup is your goal, and there are a few ways this can be done.
Chew toy for plaque removal: These chew toys are specialized and made to remove plaque. They can also reach unreachable areas of your Chihuahua’s mouth. One of my favorites is ProDen PlaqueOff Dental Bones.
Hard, dry food: Offer hard, dry food and dog treats for plaque removal. Hard, dry food is made to rub on your Chihuahua’s teeth to remove plaque and tartar buildup. Also, try offering your dog a raw carrot to chew.
Brush your Chihuahua’s teeth – Carefully and efficiently brushing your pet’s teeth will remove most of the bacteria. A quality toothbrush, 360-Degree Pet Toothbrush for puppy, small dog, and cat, and good canine toothpaste will help you to remove most of the bacteria. The most important step would be to take your dog to the vet. Tartar shouldn’t be removed at home because it’s hard to remove, and you can damage your Chihuahua’s teeth.
Regular Dental Care.
As soon as you have the vet’s ok that your Chihuahua’s teeth are healthy, it would be best if you did prevention and regular dental care. Chihuahuas, as mentioned above, are more prone to dental issues than larger breed dogs. Small dogs have small jaws and tiny teeth, which is the biggest reason.
Therefore, it can be hard to maintain good dental hygiene for your Chihuahua. It’s hard to reach every part of your small dog’s mouth. It’s hard to notice when dental issues start to appear. Even though taking care of your Chihuahua teeth is hard, it’s not impossible. Being more attentive to preventing dental problems is the only way.
Prevention is the key.
Preventing plaque buildup and other dental issues can be daunting. There are numerous things you can do to control decay. To keep your Chihuahua’s teeth healthy, brush, brush, brush!
Brush your Chihuahua’s teeth.
Be sure to use a good toothbrush specially made for Chihuahuas and small dogs. The larger brushes will not let you reach all the nooks and crannies in your Chihuahua’s small mouth. Also, pick high-quality toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
Human toothpaste and toothbrushes are never a good idea for your Chihuahua. Our toothbrushes are designed for human mouths. Additionally, our toothpaste can be toxic to your Chihuahua. The toothpaste should be dog friendly. Vet’s Preferred Dog Enzymatic Toothpaste is one of our favorite canine toothpaste.
Brushing your Chihuahua’s teeth once a day or at least twice a week is an excellent routine. Your small dog will get used to you brushing his teeth quickly if you make it a daily routine. Start with your Chihuahua as soon as you get him.
Other ways to maintain proper dental hygiene.
Feed your small dog dry breed dog food for tartar and plaque control. One of my favorites is Forza 10 Active Oral Care Dog Food. Nothing can take the place of brushing your Chihuahua’s teeth. But chew toys, and dry food can be helpful. Additionally, buy chew toys that are specifically for loosening plaque.
Another must is keeping up with yearly vet appointments. Every six months, if your Chihuahua has teeth that are sensitive or if he has dental problems.
If you have questions about your Chihuahua’s dental health, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with your vet. Your vet will be happy to educate you on the steps to improve your dog’s health and quality of life.
In Conclusion
Good dental health is important in all dogs, especially toy breeds. Chihuahuas tend to have more complicated dental issues. They often have plaque and tartar buildup and require additional attention because of their size.
Don’t try to fix your Chihuahua’s dental problems at home. Hard treats and chew toys are a good way to remove plaque on your Chihuahua’s teeth at home.
Good habits and prevention are vital if you want your Chihuahua to live a long, happy life with strong and healthy teeth. Brushing with a good toothbrush, eating dry small-breed dog food, and chew toys are critical for a good dental care routine.
