Did you know that regularly brushing your dog’s teeth and providing him with a healthy diet and plenty of chew toys can go a long way toward keeping his mouth healthy? Many pooches show signs of gum disease by the time they’re four years old because they aren’t provided with proper mouth care—and bad breath is often the first sign of a problem.  Chew toys can satisfy your dog’s natural desire to chomp, while making his teeth strong.  Gnawing on a chew toy can also help massage his gums and help keep his teeth clean by scraping away soft tartar. Ask your vet to recommend toxin-free rawhide, nylon and rubber chew toys.  Gnawing also reduces your dog’s overall stress level, prevents boredom and gives him an appropriate outlet for his natural need to chew.

The following are signs that your dog may have a problem in his mouth or gastrointestinal system and should be checked by a veterinarian:

- Bad breath
- Excessive drooling 
- Inflamed gums
- Tumors in the gums
- Cysts under the tongue
- Loose teeth