Dogs may not be human, but they deal with health hassles as well. Help
them out in their hour of need. The articles below will help you out
Although meat forms the staple food in a dog diet, vegetables can also be included to add variety and ensure a healthy balance of nutrition. As far as carrots are concerned, feeding your pet with this vegetable will cause no harm, and can become a great addition to his diet
High in Nutrition
The benefits of carrots are not just restricted to humans, but extend to dogs even. Carrots are an excellent source of beta-carotene, that plays a key role to maintain normal vision. Carrots are also found to prevent macular degeneration in humans. Dogs may reap the same benefit if they are given carrots regularly. The goodness of nutrition that carrots offer can play a major role to keep the skin healthy and improve the appearance of a dog's coat, by adding an attractive shine and making it more soft and luxurious
Should You Feed your Pet Raw or Cooked Carrots
Although we are often advised to eat raw vegetables, this may not be a good idea in the case of dogs. The digestive system of dogs is not designed to process raw vegetables effectively. As we all know, the digestion process begins in the mouth, wherein the saliva combines while chewing food. Amylase, an enzyme, is an important constituent of saliva, which plays a key role in breakdown of starch (carbohydrates) in vegetables. However, research shows that dogs are deficient in amylase. Moreover, their gastrointestinal tract is short (actually suitable for a raw meat diet), making it hard to process raw vegetables and absorb nutrition. All this can put a lot of stress on their digestive system. On the other hand, cooked carrots are easier to digest, allowing your pet to absorb more nutrients. In fact, carrots is one of the few foods that shows higher nutritional value after cooking
Dogs have a unique
dental anatomy, with their teeth being divided into four different
groups. This Buzzle article explains the dental anatomy of dogs with a
labeled diagram, and also explains the importance of good dog dental
care
Dogs have a total of 42 teeth! That's a lot! However, one amusing fact about the dental anatomy of dogs is that the total number of milk teeth and the total number of permanent teeth are not the same. They have only 28 milk teeth, and no puppy molars! You must have noticed that when your dog tugs at something playfully, he/she does so with the front portion of the jaw, but when you toss a stick or give him/her a bone, these things move to the rear portion of the jaw, where the chewing action takes place. This is due to the different functions of the different groups of teeth. The following paragraphs explain the two stages of dental development in dogs, as well as their dental anatomy
Just like humans, dogs too have milk teeth before getting their permanent ones. These are also called deciduous teeth, puppy teeth, or baby teeth. When pups are born, they do not have any teeth. The deciduous teeth erupt through the gums when the pups are about 3 weeks of age, and this growth is usually complete by 4 months of age. The total number of deciduous teeth is 28―14 each in the upper and lower jaw
After all your pup's baby teeth have grown out, they will begin to be replaced by the permanent ones, after roughly 4 months of age. In the 4 months before they erupt, permanent teeth begin developing above the deciduous teeth, under the gums. When they grow big enough, they begin putting pressure on the roots of the baby teeth, thus bringing about the process of resorbing the roots. Once the roots are completely resorbed and have disappeared, the permanent teeth push down on the crown of the baby teeth that is left behind, and erupt
It is during this time that your dog will undergo the teething process, when he/she will want to chew on anything in sight, owing to the discomfort of the growing teeth. At such times, you should give your dog toys to chew on, but make sure that he/she knows which items are off-limits in this department. Otherwise, your shoes, other household items, wires, or furniture may become the victims of your dog's chewing urges. Consult your vet and get your dog the appropriate chew toys to redirect his/her attention from other things
Deciduous and permanent teeth are the two stages of dental development in dogs. Now let's see the dental anatomy of dogs, and what it comprises. Dogs' teeth are categorized into four classes or types, viz., incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Their locations, appearances, and functions are explained below
Incisors
Incisors are the teeth that are present right in the front, on both the upper and the lower jaw. There are a total of 12 incisors, 6 each on either jaw, and they are small and sharp. They may not all be uniform in size, and may also vary in number. The two central incisors usually remain smaller in size than the others. The main functions of these teeth include chewing or nibbling on food, picking up objects, pulling something (like if you and your dog are playing tug-of-war, or when pups hold their own leash and pull you with it), or even for scratching purposes (if your dog has an itch or is grooming him/herself. Do check for fleas or ticks if the scratching is too frequent)
Canines
Canines are also called fangs, and are quite well-known because of dogs and vampire movies. These teeth are long and pointed, and are immediately next to the incisors. There are 2 canines each on the upper and lower jaws, one each on either side of the incisors. Thus, the right and left sides of the jaw have one upper and one lower canine each. The upper canines lock behind the lower ones. This is known as a scissor bite. The function of these teeth is to grab and tear. If your dog is fighting with another dog or is playing a game of fetch with you, then the canines are used to bite the ball or the other dog. Deciduous teeth include four 4 canines and 12 incisors
Premolars
These are the wide, flat, and pointed teeth that are situated behind the canines. The function of the premolars is chewing, tearing, and biting. Dogs chew their food using their premolars. You may even notice that if you throw a stick for your dog to fetch, then he/she will hold the stick at the side of the mouth in the premolars. Permanent teeth consist of 16 premolars―8 on either jaw and 4 on either side of each jaw. Deciduous teeth consist 12 premolars―6 on each jaw, and 3 on either side of each jaw. The very first tooth in this group is absent in puppy teeth
Molars
Molars are bigger than premolars, and perform the main function of chewing hard things like bones or dog biscuits. They are a bit sharper than premolars as well. The total number of molars that a dog possesses is 10. There are 6 on the lower jaw―3 on each side, and 4 on the upper jaw―2 on each side. Puppies do not have any molars. Deciduous molars do not exist. They only grow as permanent teeth
Why to Brush
Brushing your dog's teeth is as important as brushing your own. Although eating food items like carrots, kibble, dog biscuits, etc., do help in keeping the teeth clean to some extent, it is not a substitute to brushing, even more so if your dog is not a fan of hard foodstuff. It is, indeed, a cute picture of you sitting with your dog in your lap, all smiles and tail waggin', brushing his/her teeth without any hassles. But the reality is far from that. It includes running behind your dog with the toothbrush, fishing him/her out of some corner, like behind the bed or cupboard, grasping him/her with one hand while struggling to brush the teeth with the other, your dog wriggling and thrashing all the while, spraying the paste on you, trying to chew the brush, etcetera, etcetera
How to Brush
To avoid the above scenario, you should begin brushing your dog's teeth while he/she is still a puppy. This will make the training easier, and will help get your dog used to it. It's difficult to introduce a new habit to a grownup dog, so the sooner you do this, the better
Begin with running your finger gently on the gums, and then gradually move on to the brush
The brush must not be too hard or too soft, and do not use your toothpaste for your dog. Either use a special doggy toothpaste, or none will also do
Keep a bowl of water ready. Begin by opening your dog's mouth and inserting the brush
If you are using paste, a small amount is sufficient. Work your way from the molars to the incisors, and keep rinsing the brush with water in between
It is very important to take care of your dog's teeth to avoid dental problems. If you feel that something is wrong, or if your dog refuses to eat, has foul breath, yellowing teeth, missing teeth, or inflamed or bleeding gums, then a trip to the vet is in order. To avoid such problems in the first place, brushing is important
Are Carrots Good for Dogs
If you are wondering whether carrots
are good for your canine, then you should know that they can certainly
be a healthy snack for them. Carrots provide the same benefits as they
do to human beings
There are so many food items that we enjoy eating, but surprisingly
are deemed toxic to dogs. For instance, a bar of chocolate that is
simply irresistible for us humans to ignore, is actually harmful for
dogs. Avocados, raisins, apple seeds, and grapes are some of the foods
that we like, but can severely damage dog health. Does this also holds
true for carrots? Can carrots, that have been proven good for our
health, be eaten by dogs? Continue reading this article to find
out
Although meat forms the staple food in a dog diet, vegetables can also be included to add variety and ensure a healthy balance of nutrition. As far as carrots are concerned, feeding your pet with this vegetable will cause no harm, and can become a great addition to his diet
How Carrots Are Beneficial to Dogs
High in Nutrition
The benefits of carrots are not just restricted to humans, but extend to dogs even. Carrots are an excellent source of beta-carotene, that plays a key role to maintain normal vision. Carrots are also found to prevent macular degeneration in humans. Dogs may reap the same benefit if they are given carrots regularly. The goodness of nutrition that carrots offer can play a major role to keep the skin healthy and improve the appearance of a dog's coat, by adding an attractive shine and making it more soft and luxurious
Low in Calories
Carrots are nutrient
dense but have a low calorie count. So, if your dog is overweight and
you are looking for low-calorie foods to add to his diet, carrots can be
a good option. With carrot sticks easily available, you don't have to
really search for pet recipes that provide fat-free snacking. They
certainly provide an easy way to make pet meals healthier
Carrot Size
The
size of carrot sticks does matter when it comes to feeding dogs. Giving
a large carrot stick to eat is not recommended as dogs find it
difficult to chew. As a result, your pet may try to ingest it without
chewing, thereby increasing the risk of choking. Also, most dogs have
the habit of scoffing food, instead of chewing. Hence, offering large
chunks of food is not advisable. To avoid any health hazard, cut carrot
sticks into small
pieces and then offer it to your pet. Many dog owners
prefer grated carrot to feed their pets
Should You Feed your Pet Raw or Cooked Carrots
Although we are often advised to eat raw vegetables, this may not be a good idea in the case of dogs. The digestive system of dogs is not designed to process raw vegetables effectively. As we all know, the digestion process begins in the mouth, wherein the saliva combines while chewing food. Amylase, an enzyme, is an important constituent of saliva, which plays a key role in breakdown of starch (carbohydrates) in vegetables. However, research shows that dogs are deficient in amylase. Moreover, their gastrointestinal tract is short (actually suitable for a raw meat diet), making it hard to process raw vegetables and absorb nutrition. All this can put a lot of stress on their digestive system. On the other hand, cooked carrots are easier to digest, allowing your pet to absorb more nutrients. In fact, carrots is one of the few foods that shows higher nutritional value after cooking
Portion Size
Moderation
is the key, no matter how healthy the food is. Too much intake of
carrots won't be tolerated by your pet's digestive system. You can add
few small cut pieces of carrot sticks to his daily meals, but make sure
that your dog does not indulge in carrots, not even occasionally
Understanding the Dental Anatomy of Dogs
Dogs have a total of 42 teeth! That's a lot! However, one amusing fact about the dental anatomy of dogs is that the total number of milk teeth and the total number of permanent teeth are not the same. They have only 28 milk teeth, and no puppy molars! You must have noticed that when your dog tugs at something playfully, he/she does so with the front portion of the jaw, but when you toss a stick or give him/her a bone, these things move to the rear portion of the jaw, where the chewing action takes place. This is due to the different functions of the different groups of teeth. The following paragraphs explain the two stages of dental development in dogs, as well as their dental anatomy
Deciduous/Baby Teeth
Just like humans, dogs too have milk teeth before getting their permanent ones. These are also called deciduous teeth, puppy teeth, or baby teeth. When pups are born, they do not have any teeth. The deciduous teeth erupt through the gums when the pups are about 3 weeks of age, and this growth is usually complete by 4 months of age. The total number of deciduous teeth is 28―14 each in the upper and lower jaw
Permanent Teeth
After all your pup's baby teeth have grown out, they will begin to be replaced by the permanent ones, after roughly 4 months of age. In the 4 months before they erupt, permanent teeth begin developing above the deciduous teeth, under the gums. When they grow big enough, they begin putting pressure on the roots of the baby teeth, thus bringing about the process of resorbing the roots. Once the roots are completely resorbed and have disappeared, the permanent teeth push down on the crown of the baby teeth that is left behind, and erupt
It is during this time that your dog will undergo the teething process, when he/she will want to chew on anything in sight, owing to the discomfort of the growing teeth. At such times, you should give your dog toys to chew on, but make sure that he/she knows which items are off-limits in this department. Otherwise, your shoes, other household items, wires, or furniture may become the victims of your dog's chewing urges. Consult your vet and get your dog the appropriate chew toys to redirect his/her attention from other things
Dental Anatomy
Deciduous and permanent teeth are the two stages of dental development in dogs. Now let's see the dental anatomy of dogs, and what it comprises. Dogs' teeth are categorized into four classes or types, viz., incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Their locations, appearances, and functions are explained below
dog dental anatomy
Incisors
Incisors are the teeth that are present right in the front, on both the upper and the lower jaw. There are a total of 12 incisors, 6 each on either jaw, and they are small and sharp. They may not all be uniform in size, and may also vary in number. The two central incisors usually remain smaller in size than the others. The main functions of these teeth include chewing or nibbling on food, picking up objects, pulling something (like if you and your dog are playing tug-of-war, or when pups hold their own leash and pull you with it), or even for scratching purposes (if your dog has an itch or is grooming him/herself. Do check for fleas or ticks if the scratching is too frequent)
Canines
Canines are also called fangs, and are quite well-known because of dogs and vampire movies. These teeth are long and pointed, and are immediately next to the incisors. There are 2 canines each on the upper and lower jaws, one each on either side of the incisors. Thus, the right and left sides of the jaw have one upper and one lower canine each. The upper canines lock behind the lower ones. This is known as a scissor bite. The function of these teeth is to grab and tear. If your dog is fighting with another dog or is playing a game of fetch with you, then the canines are used to bite the ball or the other dog. Deciduous teeth include four 4 canines and 12 incisors
Premolars
These are the wide, flat, and pointed teeth that are situated behind the canines. The function of the premolars is chewing, tearing, and biting. Dogs chew their food using their premolars. You may even notice that if you throw a stick for your dog to fetch, then he/she will hold the stick at the side of the mouth in the premolars. Permanent teeth consist of 16 premolars―8 on either jaw and 4 on either side of each jaw. Deciduous teeth consist 12 premolars―6 on each jaw, and 3 on either side of each jaw. The very first tooth in this group is absent in puppy teeth
Molars
Molars are bigger than premolars, and perform the main function of chewing hard things like bones or dog biscuits. They are a bit sharper than premolars as well. The total number of molars that a dog possesses is 10. There are 6 on the lower jaw―3 on each side, and 4 on the upper jaw―2 on each side. Puppies do not have any molars. Deciduous molars do not exist. They only grow as permanent teeth
How to Care for your Dog's Teeth
Why to Brush
Brushing your dog's teeth is as important as brushing your own. Although eating food items like carrots, kibble, dog biscuits, etc., do help in keeping the teeth clean to some extent, it is not a substitute to brushing, even more so if your dog is not a fan of hard foodstuff. It is, indeed, a cute picture of you sitting with your dog in your lap, all smiles and tail waggin', brushing his/her teeth without any hassles. But the reality is far from that. It includes running behind your dog with the toothbrush, fishing him/her out of some corner, like behind the bed or cupboard, grasping him/her with one hand while struggling to brush the teeth with the other, your dog wriggling and thrashing all the while, spraying the paste on you, trying to chew the brush, etcetera, etcetera
How to Brush
To avoid the above scenario, you should begin brushing your dog's teeth while he/she is still a puppy. This will make the training easier, and will help get your dog used to it. It's difficult to introduce a new habit to a grownup dog, so the sooner you do this, the better
Begin with running your finger gently on the gums, and then gradually move on to the brush
The brush must not be too hard or too soft, and do not use your toothpaste for your dog. Either use a special doggy toothpaste, or none will also do
Keep a bowl of water ready. Begin by opening your dog's mouth and inserting the brush
If you are using paste, a small amount is sufficient. Work your way from the molars to the incisors, and keep rinsing the brush with water in between
It is very important to take care of your dog's teeth to avoid dental problems. If you feel that something is wrong, or if your dog refuses to eat, has foul breath, yellowing teeth, missing teeth, or inflamed or bleeding gums, then a trip to the vet is in order. To avoid such problems in the first place, brushing is important
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