Dachshund's teeth: when do they change in a puppy and how to care for them?

Dachshunds are very popular with breeders. They attract with their courage, devotion and beauty.

For this breed, a very important point is the care of the oral cavity. The condition of the teeth is directly related to the health of the pet in general and is reflected in the appearance, appetite and emotional state.

Dachshund is an excellent hunting dog. The breed was bred by the Germans back in the 16th century. A miniature animal with short strong legs and an elongated body instantly won the respect of breeders. Dachshund without fear penetrated holes and drove foxes and badgers, which caused damage to farms, from garden plots. Over time, the four-legged friend attracted the attention of breeders in other European countries. Today, the fashion for dachshunds has not lost its relevance. The animal is adapted for living in apartment buildings.

The burrowing dog is quite unpretentious, but the issue of oral hygiene is always very acute. Dachshund's teeth are large and hard. There are 42 of them. The jaws are well developed and the bite is scissor bite. Like any living creature, the dachshund is susceptible to various diseases, so the breeder must carefully monitor the condition of the animal's teeth: clean them regularly and show the pet to a specialist.

Puppies are born toothless. The first teeth begin to come out two weeks after birth. They are still very fragile, since they have no roots. The change of milk teeth to permanent ones occurs in puppies at the age of 3 months. This process must be controlled, as there are problems with the loss of old and the growth of new teeth.

An attentive breeder will immediately notice if a dog is suffering from a toothache. In addition, a few more symptoms signal the appearance of oral diseases in a pet. These include:

• increased salivation;
• lack of interest in food;
• repulsive breath.

Let's take a look at the most common ailments that dogs face:

• Stomatitis... It is characterized by inflammation of the oral mucosa. It is a consequence of caries and dental calculus. Signs of stomatitis are abundant saliva in the animal. His tongue is covered with a white coating. Also, with stomatitis, the pet's saliva exudes an unpleasant "aroma".
• Gingivitis... The disease affects the gums. It appears when the dog's oral hygiene rules are not followed. The owner ignores the brushing of the pet's teeth, as a result of which deposits form on them. They lead to the formation of a malocclusion.
• Periodontitis... The disease threatens with the complete destruction of the canines of the four-legged friend. It is provoked by hard deposits on the teeth. This disease is not difficult to detect: the owner notices in the dog increased bleeding of the gums, signs of rotting canines and a strong unpleasant odor from the mouth. Teeth begin to loosen and then fall out. The causes of periodontitis are hereditary predisposition or too soft food. The dog should chew or chew food thoroughly. This will help her to grind off dental plaque. Treatment of this disease requires specialist intervention.

If at a young age the loss of teeth in a dog is considered the norm, then the loss of teeth in an adult pet should alert. First of all, the animal must be shown to the veterinarian.

It is necessary to take care of the health of the dachshund from the first days of life. Naturally, less plaque appears in puppies than in mature dogs. Nevertheless, monitoring the state of the oral cavity of babies is necessary.

Many breeders are inclined to believe that pet teeth should be cleaned as often as possible. Of course, it all depends on the individual characteristics of the animal. If your dog's plaque builds up quickly, then 1-2 brushings per week are enough. In other cases, this procedure is carried out as needed (2-3 times a month). Brush the dachshund's teeth immediately after feeding, paying attention to each tooth. Naturally, this process will be unpleasant for pets. As for cleaning products, you can easily purchase a special powder, gel or paste for dog teeth care at any pet store.

Note that brushing the dachshund's teeth involves the use of folk remedies, since industrial products are expensive.

So, for self-cleaning of the dachshund's teeth, we take the following items.

• Gauze... This tissue is known for its fibrous structure, which perfectly removes plaque from the teeth of the animal. A non-sterile gauze bandage is ideal.
• Hydrogen peroxide (1%) or baking soda. In the first case, the gauze is moistened in a solution and the pet's teeth are gently rubbed. Using baking soda, the wearer applies it to damp gauze and thus removes plaque.

Undoubtedly, the process of brushing your dachshund's teeth will make her nervous and struggling (especially when it comes to removing tartar). Therefore, it is better to carry out such a procedure in conjunction with other household members. If this is not possible, then pay attention to the following recommendations.

1. Calm your pet down before cleaning. Play your favorite game with him and pet him.
2. Place your four-legged friend in a comfortable position.
3. With one hand, fix the dog's body, and with the other, gently lift the upper lip and begin to brush the teeth with the brush (up and down, in a circular motion).
4. We do the same with the lower teeth.
5. After the procedure, we massage the pet's gums with our fingers.
6. Do not forget to treat the animal with your favorite treat.

See below for how to care for your dog's teeth.