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Oral care is a key component of your pet’s overall health: A smart regimen can help prevent the development of serious conditions. Keeping your pet’s teeth clean and bacteria-free results in more than just healthy teeth and fresh breath. With a little know-how and effort, you can protect your pet for a lifetime of companionship.
Tartar and gingivitis are the most common problems seen by veterinarians. The majority of dogs will develop these problems. Unchecked, these can lead to periodontitis and serious health concerns for your pet, up to and including, tooth loss and serious illness. But you can take action to control this and promote good oral health by incorporating the 3Ds: Daily Brushing, Dentistry. and Diet.
Daily brushing of your pet’s teeth will remove plaque and slow the development of tartar. When first beginning to brush, be gradual and make it a pleasant experience. Start by using your finger. Later, introduce a toothbrush. Be sure to praise and reassure your pet while brushing. Also, reward your pet afterward with play or a walk.
Talk with your veterinarian about annual or semiannual teeth cleaning—a dental prophylaxis or prophy for short. Teeth cleaning, performed by your veterinarian, is the only way to remove tartar.
Diet is important to good oral health. The mechanical, brushing action of dry, crunchy kibbles helps remove plaque and works to scrub teeth clean. Some diets also might include ingredients such as hexametaphosphate (HMP) that can help block tartar formation. Diet, daily brushing, and dentistry helps break the plaque-to- tartar cycle and optimize oral health.
When it comes to maintaining the overall health of our dogs, we often overlook the importance of their gut health. This is where canine probiotics and prebiotics come into play. These are beneficial microbes that reside in your dog's gastrointestinal system, aiding in food digestion, fighting off potential pathogens, and bolstering the immune system.
Probiotics for dogs, derived from the Latin word 'for' (pro) and the Greek 'life' (bio), are friendly bacteria and yeasts that are essential for your dog's health. They are designed to restore and maintain a healthy balance of microflora in your dog's gut. The types of bacteria usually found in canine probiotics include:
Prebiotics may sound like the opposite of probiotics, but in reality, the two go hand in hand. Prebiotics are nutrients that nourish and promote the growth of these good bacteria already living in the colon. They are essential in ensuring that probiotics function at their optimal best.
Probiotics are a necessary addition to a dog’s diet. Here are a few benefits of this nutrient:
They are generally used when the balance of microbes in a dog's gut gets disrupted due to stress, dietary changes, or antibiotic use, leading to health problems including digestive upsets.
Probiotics for dogs have been shown to help manage diarrhea and improve gut health. They work by restoring the balance of good bacteria in your dog's gut, which can be disrupted due to various factors.
The benefits of probiotics for dogs extend beyond just good gut health. They can also aid in reducing the need for antibiotic treatment and shorten the duration of diarrhea. In fact, a 2009 Irish study found that supplementation with a specific strain of Bifidobacterium Animalis reduced diarrhea duration from seven to four days.
The answer is yes. Puppies can benefit from dog-specific probiotics. These can help them develop a balanced intestinal bacteria ecosystem, support a healthy immune system, and reduce the occurrence of diarrhea, constipation, and infections of the digestive tract.
Yes, it's critical to consult your vet before introducing probiotics or prebiotics for dogs into your pet's diet. There are many probiotic preparations out there, and not all of them are of high quality and backed up with evidence. Your vet will be able to advise the best option for your dog.
As the importance of gut health in dogs becomes more recognized, various supplements containing canine probiotics have emerged. One such supplement is our IAMS™ Proactive Health™ Digestive Health Supplement. This soft-chew food supplement is a blend of prebiotics and probiotics that ensures healthy digestion.
If your dog has been experiencing signs like diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or vomiting, it might indicate that their digestive system is not functioning properly. In this case, a probiotic supplement with Bacillus Subtilis and Fructooligosaccharide can be a good investment. They help degrade organic matter in the feces, reducing ammonia production and fecal odor as well as nourish the good bacteria in the colon of the dog.
The benefits of probiotics for dogs are substantial. They help maintain a healthy gut, which plays a vital role in your dog's overall health. By incorporating probiotics into your dog's diet, you're taking a step towards ensuring that your furry friend leads a healthier, happier life.
