Dental hygiene is just as important for your Pug's health as it is for yours. The only difference is that your Pug can't take care of its own teeth so this responsibility falls on your shoulders. Just like humans, a Pug's teeth and gums can succumb to disease so you need to put doggie dental hygiene at the top of your priory list.
For starters, if you feed your dog wet food, consider switching to dry. Dry food is abrasive so as your Pug chews the dry food, it's actually helping to remove some of the plaque build-up. Feeding your Pug dog biscuits and giving it hard bones and toys to play with also helps scrape plaque off teeth.
What about brushing?
Don't think for one moment that brushing isn't necessary. Your Pug eats every day and after meals, food particles will be left behind. If not removed, bacteria will start developing. Bacteria that aren't regularly brushed away will harden into plaque which will start eating away at the tooth's enamel. As enamel weakens there's an increased risk of developing cavities or abscesses.
If you've ever had a cavity before, you know how painful it can be. An abscess is even more painful and if the inflamed pus-filled area isn't promptly treated, the situation can cause your dog's teeth to loosen and perhaps fall out. Even worse, there's always the chance that pus can enter your Pug's bloodstream. If that happens, the infection can damage several of the Pug's major organs; a situation that can become life-threatening.
To brush your Pug's teeth, you'll need toothpaste that's specially-formulated for dogs and something with which you can use to brush the dog's teeth. You can use a child's toothbrush but you can also wrap a washcloth or a piece of gauze around your finger and use in lieu of a toothbrush. You can also purchase a rubber finger cap. Regardless of the tool you choose, all you have to do is gently rub the surface on your dog's teeth. For best results, be sure to brush your Pug's teeth twice weekly.
Does your Pug have bad breath?
If so, then it's a pretty good indication that you're not doing all you can to promote proper dental hygiene. Although what you smell might smell like your dog's last meal, what's really causing that odor is the plaque that's building on your Pug's teeth. If the odor coming from your Pug's mouth is particularly offensive, it's likely that some tooth or gum-related problem already exists. You'll need to take your Pug to the vet as soon as possible to find out what's wrong and how you can help remedy the situation.
Besides emergency visits, have your Pug's teeth and gums checked out by your veterinarian at least once a year. Like larger dogs, Pugs have a full set of teeth but they have smaller mouths. Overcrowding can cause their teeth to grow in at abnormal angles which could cause future dental issues.
Providing your Pug with proper dental care won't take long, and it'll help ensure that your Pug can continue its favorite pastime â€” eating â€” without pain!