In this article, we will answer the following question: Which dog has the sharpest teeth? We also think it is important to talk about the dental hygiene of puppies, adult and older dogs.
Which dog has the sharpest teeth?
The right and the most answer to the question “Which dog has the sharpest teeth?” is all of them when they are puppies!
A puppy’s teeth are very sharp, and if you expect something else just because he is an adorable puppy, you may feel unexpectedly strong pain when your little one pinches your ankle. But why are a puppy’s teeth as sharp as miniature swords?
There are several reasons why baby teeth have this shape. First of all, let’s talk about an inheritance from the wild ancestors of dogs. When they no longer consumed their mother’s milk, the puppies of that time did not receive special food in a bowl. Their teeth were sharp so they could peel and chop the meat they were going to eat.
The pain caused by a puppy’s sharp teeth plays a huge role for him to learn how to control his bite. The puppy cannot realize how painful his bites can be during play hours. He will accomplish this when his master’s siblings begin to avoid him when he begins to “pinch.”
Over time, the puppy will learn how to control its bite as it will begin to associate excessive zeal with a sudden cessation of play. But he will only realize how painful his bites can be after a while. So you have to be patient with it. Fortunately, your puppy’s jaw is not strong enough to support serious bites, so you are out of any danger.
In most cases, puppies have healthier teeth. But as the years go by, the teeth deteriorate. If we add to that the lack of care, hygiene and prevention, the consequences could be dire.
The first teeth begin to erupt between 4 and 8 weeks of age. The following appear between 4 and 7 months of life. Then switch to permanent teeth: 42 pieces that will stay with him for the rest of his life.
The teeth in dogs have more functions than we think. On the one hand, they allow them to cut, tear and grind food (depending on whether the incisors, premolars or morals are used). On the other hand, they help them to defend themselves in case it is necessary, even to you from external dangers.
But that’s not all because the teeth play a recreational role (for example catching a frisbee in the air when they are in the park or throwing a ball with all their might), and they even have a voice function. You will notice that some teeth are missing when he starts barking or emitting vocalizations differently.
Taking care of your dog’s teeth
Cleaning is essential for your pet’s teeth to be in perfect condition. Although they do not tend to suffer from cavities as much as people, and it is often believed that the canine mouth is more hygienic than that of humans, it is very important to help you so that you do not suffer from bad breath, accumulation of plaque and tartar or yellow incisors.
Brushing is essential, although many owners “escape” this habit for fear of being bitten. Indeed, he will not like it at first, but if you get used to it since childhood it can be a pleasant experience for him and you.
Choose a special toothpaste for dogs (they are sold at veterinarians) and when the furry is tired, such as when returning from a walk in the park or an hour of games and exercise. This way it will stay more still and you can finish quickly. Remember that cleaning should be short and that there is no problem with suspending it if you notice that the dog begins to feel irritated.
Speak to him in a calm voice and do not punish him or yell at him because he will associate this activity with something bad and traumatic. When finished, reward him with a treat (which will also complement the cleaning, especially in areas that are difficult to reach with the brush), a bone or a chew toy.
Teeth problems in dogs
When food remains in the mouth, bacteria quickly cause complications that are worth noting. Periodontal disease is an inflammation of the gums caused by the accumulation of plaque. It is considered an infection in the gum tissue that can cause further damage if it penetrates the groove that forms between the teeth.
If you notice bleeding, swelling, redness, or a bad smell when brushing your dog’s teeth, he may be suffering from dental disease. The best way to prevent this problem is to remove plaque by brushing three times a week. In this way, you will ensure that your furry does not suffer from gingivitis. This can even transform into pyorrhea if the infection destroys the connective tissue that reaches the bone.
If your pet loses pieces or bone parts, it is because he suffers from periodontitis. The repercussions on the animal’s health in this situation are serious. It can even cause a loss of desire to eat, not being able to grind food well, or feeling pain when putting a toy or object in your mouth.
Dental care in older dogs
In the same way that occurs with other aspects of the health of canine pets, with old age, certain problems appear or those that already existed are accentuated. This is the case of oral health if we completely ignore it. Dental care in older dogs will depend, to a large extent, on the time we have dedicated to the health of the pet’s mouth.
Many guardians consider bad breath to be normal in their dogs but, far from reality, this is not the case. The bad smell indicates the proliferation of bacteria and other harmful pathogens, not only for the dog’s mouth, but also for the health of other organs, such as the kidneys and the heart: both tend to develop pathologies as the dog ages and, if we also add incorrect oral hygiene, these diseases can worsen.
As we say, although everything depends on how we have taken care of the dog’s mouth during its development, the advanced age of the dog is not a justification for not starting to worry about its dental health.
How to tell if a senior dog has dental problems
It is not necessary to be an expert to detect if the pet may be suffering from some kind of tooth problem. Some certain symptoms or signs alert us to the dog’s oral health, and that should prompt us to visit the vet:
Bad breath and dental care in older dogs – If the dog has bad breath it is because something is happening with his teeth or gums. The dog’s breath should not have a pleasant smell, but it should not be vomiting. Trying to cover this smell with minty sweets is not the solution. It is better to go to the vet.
Eating problems and pain signals – When a dog’s mouth hurts we can see certain very characteristic behaviours:
- He touches his face a lot or tries to rub it against the ground. After this, he is usually depressed and listless.
- He will have trouble eating. He can chew on only one side or even stop eating.
Dental tartar – When dental plaque builds up on teeth, it is called tartar. In general, small breed dogs often suffer from this problem due to lack of jaw musculature and poor chewing. If we do not remedy and eliminate the tartar and, besides, prevent its reappearance, the dog may develop serious oral diseases.
How should dental care be for older dogs?
If throughout the animal’s life we have been concerned about the health of its teeth, it is very likely that in its old age it will have perfect teeth. However, this is not always possible. Sometimes, ignorance has been able to cause the dog to not have the best dental health. However, it is not too late to start dental care for older dogs.
First of all, a visit to the vet is necessary for him to evaluate the condition of the mouth. In certain cases, it is not uncommon for dogs to present the onset of certain diseases but, after an ultrasound oral cleaning and the establishment of an oral hygiene routine, the dog can regain the health of its dental apparatus.
Conclusions
In this article, we answered the following question: Which dog has the sharpest teeth? We also thought it is important to talk about the dental hygiene of puppies, adult and older dogs.
To summarize, puppies have the sharpest teeth, and the breed doesn’t matter. Over time, the puppy will learn how to control its bite as it will begin to associate excessive zeal with a sudden cessation of play. But he will only realize how painful his bites can be after a while. So you have to be patient with it.
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FAQ Which dog has the sharpest teeth?
Which dog has the most teeth?
All breeds of dogs have the exact number of teeth, 42 to be more precise. In some dogs, for example in a Chihuahua, it may seem that they have teeth because of a smaller mouth. But in reality, it is still the same number.
Why are my dog’s teeth so sharp?
Your dog’s teeth are sharp because, from an evolutionary point of view, it allows them to tear up the food and defend themselves against danger.
What dog has the strongest bite?
It is believed that a Rottweiler has one of the strongest bites, with its pressure bite topped 328 pounds. In second place comes German Shepherds, followed by the American pitbull terrier.
What dog breed is most likely to attack?
The dog breed that is most likely to attack is the Pitbull. Pitbulls were responsible for the highest percentage of reported bites across all the studies (22.5%), followed by mixed breeds (21.2%), and German shepherds (17.8%).
Can a dog survive with no teeth?
It will be very hard for a dog to survive without teeth since he won’t be able to chew its food. In these cases it is best to consult a veterinarian for alternative feeding methods.
References
Wagwalking.com
Dogsandtreats.com
petplace.com
