Although taking care of a dog’s teeth may seem ludicrous, many serious consequences can develop from abandoning your dog’s dental health. In addition to being closely connected to their health, cleaning a Malamute’s teeth can be simple and easy.
With these two considerations combined, an Alaskan Malamute’s dental health needs to be prioritized. Brushing their teeth doesn’t have to be cumbersome, though. By starting the routine early, doing it often, and supplementing it with dental treats, Malamutes can retain their dental health for a long time.
Read on to discover how to easily clean your Alaskan Malamute’s teeth and the many reasons why it is necessary.
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Why You Should Clean an Alaskan Malamute’s Teeth
Like humans, a dog’s dental health significantly impacts their overall health. Because of this, dental health should be a priority in taking care of your Alaskan Malamute. Here are the main reasons why you should clean an Alaskan Malamute’s teeth:
Malamutes are More Prone to Dental Issues
Dental disease affects 80 percent of all dogs by the age of three. That’s the most prominent health problem amongst dogs! Combine that with a Malamute’s genetic disposition for dental issues and bacterial infections, and you have a huge concern. Because of this, dental health should be a huge priority to Malamute owners.
Dogs are Living Longer than Ever
Dogs’ life expectancy has more than doubled in the past four decades. Although this is great, it also leads modern dogs to have issues that past dogs didn’t get the chance to have. One of the newest issues for dogs is dental problems. Because they live longer than before, their teeth are asked to perform longer.
Thus, owners need to prioritize dental health early on. Instead of reacting to dental problems later in life, owners can now take simple, preventative measures that allow their dog’s dental health to prevail longer into their life.
Dental Issues Can Lead to Serious Diseases
Dental health in dogs is similar to that of humans. When not taken care of, it can lead to severe infections outside the mouth – even reaching the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
What starts as bacterial tartar leads to gum disease and decay. From there, the bacterial infection can spread into the blood and lead to a dog’s vital organs. Since Malamutes are more prone to bacterial infections than other dogs, dental disease can lead to a more serious problem quicker than other dogs.
Regular Cleanings Can Allow You to See Other Problems
If you clean your dog’s teeth multiple times a week, you can quickly see problems and fix them. Some problems include:
- Cracked molars. Although not always a severe problem, cracked molars need to be checked out. The earlier they are seen and fixed with cracked molars, the better.
- Toys stuck in teeth. If your Malamute plays with rope toys or toys with breakable plastic or rubber, they may get stuck in their teeth. If you can fix this early, you prevent infection or damage to their mouth and stomach.
How to Clean an Alaskan Malamute’s Teeth
Although it sounds cumbersome, cleaning your Alaskan Malamute’s teeth doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these tips for the easiest way to clean their teeth.
Start a Routine Early
The earlier you get started cleaning a malamute’s teeth, the better. Starting early allows them to get used to the routine and to fight you less.
In addition, beginning to clean a dog’s teeth when they are still a puppy gives you the chance to make sure their adult teeth are coming in correctly. Sometimes, if a puppy tooth isn’t falling out, it can obstruct the adult teeth from growing in. Misaligned teeth can lead to more dental problems in the future, so it’s best to spot and fix them early on.
Get Dog Toothbrush and Toothpaste
When you start brushing your Malamute’s teeth, you need to purchase the proper tools. All you’ll need is a dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste.
- Dog toothbrush: Today, there are dog toothbrushes that fit on your finger, granting you easy access into their mouth. On top of that, they are custom-fitting to dog’s teeth.
- Dog toothpaste: This is essential. Some ingredients in human toothpaste can upset a dog’s stomach, and at worst, are toxic. Dog toothpaste includes ingredients that are swallowable and non-toxic.
Brush Daily or As Often as Possible
Veterinarians recommend that you brush your Malamute’s teeth every day, but state 2-3 times a week is sufficient. Here is how to brush your Alaskan Malamute’s teeth:
- Open the dog’s mouth by pinching the back corners. This gives you access to their teeth. If they are well-trained and adjusted, you won’t need further steps to access their mouth.
- Put toothpaste on the dog toothbrush. Once the toothbrush is placed on your finger, put toothpaste onto the brush according to the package’s instructions. Depending on the dog, this may be easier done before opening the dog’s mouth
- Start at the molars and move forward. Brush similarly to how you would brush your teeth, being as thorough as possible.
- Repeat once a day or as often as possible.
Feed Dog Dental Treats
Including brushing your dog’s teeth in your daily routine can be cumbersome. Thankfully, there are many alternative options in today’s market.
The main option is dog dental treats. The texture in these treats scrapes plaque off your dog’s teeth. Although not as good as brushing, they are a good alternative.
When purchasing doggy dental treats, make sure to do your research. Some treats include ingredients that are harsh on a dog’s digestive tract. One possible, healthier alternative to retail dental treats is raw carrots. They provide the dog with the same plaque-scraping benefits and are nutritious.
Have Dog’s Teeth Professionally Cleaned
Vets recommend having your Malamute’s teeth cleaned professionally once to twice a year. However, as it can cost up to $700, this isn’t a feasible option for everyone. When combined with the other treatments, once every couple of years should be sufficient.
To reduce the cost, some people have their dog’s teeth professionally cleaned whenever their dog is having another procedure. Because they will already be under anesthesia, it’s easy for the vet to combine this procedure with another.
Concluding Remarks
Malamutes have genetic dispositions that make them especially susceptible to dental disease and subsequent health problems. Because of this, and for various other reasons, their dental health should be a huge priority.
