All about periodontal disease in dogs

In recognition of February being National Pet Dental Health Month, we’ll be sharing all that you need to know about Periodontal Disease, and how to best protect your dog’s oral health!

Good Dog is on a mission to educate the public, support dog breeders, and promote canine health so we can give our dogs the world they deserve.

A photo of a dog's teeth being checked.

Good Dog is on a mission to educate the public, support dog breeders, and promote canine health so we can give our dogs the world they deserve.

Good Dog is on a mission to educate the public, support dog breeders, and promote canine health so we can give our dogs the world they deserve.

Throughout the month of February, we’re offering our Good Breeders $10 off of preventative care products or a teeth cleaning for your dog. Preventative care products include toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental chews, and dental diets. We recommend VOHC approved products since they have proven efficacy, which you can find here. Learn more about our February Health Initiative (and keep updated on future initiatives) by visiting our Good Breeder Benefits page.

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What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal Disease (PD) is the inflammation of tissues and bone that surround and support the teeth as a result of a bacterial infection. It’s one of the most common health problems affecting adult dogs, but also one of the most under-treated. 

We worked to create the below pamphlet, which explains how PD develops, and identifies the warning signs to look out for. We encourage you to download and print this pamphlet to share with your communities and puppy buyers! 

Periodontal Disease infographic

How Can I Prevent Periodontal Disease in My Dog?

While PD is a common dental disease, there are preventative care methods you can implement into your dog’s daily life to help protect their oral health. It’s important to note that preventative care slows the development of PD by decreasing the amount of plaque and tartar that accumulates on the teeth, but it does NOT replace the need for regular veterinary exams and professional veterinary dental cleanings under anesthesia. We identified the pros and cons of four common preventative care methods so you can decide what will work best for you and your dog. Tip: Using two or more methods is better than only using one. Download this image here.

Preventative care for periodontal disease infographic

Interested in getting started with brushing? Check out our step by step approach below!

Checking Your Dog’s Teeth

Getting into the habit of examining your dog’s teeth and gums regularly, such as weekly, is one of the best ways to detect and treat disease or injury early.

Nicole Engelman is the Community Strategy Lead at Good Dog. She works on growing and engaging with our incredible community of breeders!

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Join our Good Breeder community

Are you a responsible breeder? We'd love to recognize you. Connect directly with informed buyers, get access to free benefits, and more.