Chihuahua Teeth Brushing Dilema

My Chihuahua is almost 3. He eats hard food from the pet store, along with a little roasted chicken. I took him to the vet because he wasn’t eating and the vet told me to brush his teeth once a day. I’ve done that but he still has bad breath.

The next time we visited the same veterinary office we saw another doctor. I asked him about brushing, as I had heard that Chihauhuas often lose their teeth at an early age. He said that brushing doesn’t really help that much. What is your opinion on treating bad breath and losing teeth, please.

—Lynn

Hi Lynn,

Great question regarding your Chihuahua and dental disease.

It is better to brush your dog’s teeth than not to brush. Brushing teeth is a frequent commitment that can have many benefits! You can use a pet toothbrush, finger brush, or “dental wipe.” Additionally, giving “dental treats” can help to reduce tartar.

A dental cleaning (under anesthesia or as a non-anesthetic dental) can help to keep tooth and gum disease (periodontal disease) at bay and reduce tooth loss (or the need for extraction).

Inevitably, some degree of dental disease will occur regardless of our best efforts to keep teeth clean. Have a physical exam with your vet every 6-12 months to get a realistic recommendation as to how to best take care of your pet’s teeth.

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