If you want to learn how to clean an Alaskan Malamute’s teeth, you’ve come to the right place.
It’s vital to prioritize an Alaskan Malamute’s dental health. 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.
Keep reading to discover the exact reasons why you need to clean your Malamute’s teeth, the step-by-step process, as well as some other tips for their dental hygiene.
Contents
5 Reasons Why You Should Clean An Alaskan Malamute’s Teeth
Dental hygiene for dogs is often neglected, but it shouldn’t be.
Here are five reasons why you should make cleaning your Alaskan Malamute’s teeth part of your routine.
1. 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 among dogs!
Combine that with a Malamute’s genetic disposition for dental issues and bacterial infections, and you have a huge concern.
2. 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.
3. 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 periodontal disease, which is inflammation of the tissues and bones that surround and support the teeth.
More than 80% of dogs over the age of two have periodontal diseases, and it can lead to an increased risk of heart, kidney and liver disease.
4. 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.
5. Saves Money
It can be very expensive if your Malamute suffers from dental issues relating to hygiene.
Depending on the severity of the problem, it can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $4,000 for the removal of teeth.
Teeth removal is really something that we don’t want for our Mals as it makes it much more difficult for them to chew food or toys.
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 mal’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 A 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, most dog toothbrushes fit on your finger, granting you easy access to their mouth. On top of that, they are custom-fitting to dogs’ 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. You won’t need further steps to access their mouth if they are well-trained and adjusted.
- 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. While you should still aim to brush their teeth daily, there are dental treats that can help to keep their teeth clean.
The main option is dog dental treats. The texture of 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.
Consider Professional Cleaning
Vets recommend having your Malamute’s teeth cleaned professionally at least once per year.
However, it can cost up to $700 and requires your Malamute to be put to sleep, which has risks of its own.
Daily teeth brushing and using dental treats should be enough, and if you are concerned about the health of your Malamutes’ teeth, we highly recommend consulting with your veterinarian.
In Summary
A lot of people overlook their Malamute’s dental hygiene, but it’s super important to look after their teeth.
Not only will it keep your Mal happy and healthy, but it will also save you a lot of money further down the line.
Aim to brush their teeth at least once a day and offer plenty of dental treats as well, and you should have no problems.
