The Most Common Dental Problem Dogs Face

Proper dental care for your dog does more than just clean their teeth. It could literally help save their lives.

It can be easy to miss when your dog develops dental problems because they might not show any symptoms at first glance. But the good news is that oral issues, including the infamous periodontal disease, can be prevented.


What is periodontal disease?

Periodontitis is the inflammation of the teeth and gums, as a result of tartar and plaque buildup. It’s the most common dental problem in dogs.


Periodontal disease may infect your dog’s gums. If left untreated over time, it may lead to tooth loss and other more serious diseases.

⚠️ Signs and symptoms to watch out for

There are many tell-tale signs your dog might be experiencing periodontitis. It might be best for you to watch out for the following:


  • Bad breath (halitosis)

  • Excessive drooling

  • Chewing on one side of the mouth

  • Discoloured teeth

  • Loose or missing teeth

  • Weight loss

  • Loss of appetite

  • Irritability

  • Acting aggressively or withdrawn

  • Reluctance to play with chew toys

  • Bloody saliva

  • Bleeding or inflamed gums

  • Blood in water bowl or on chew toys

⚠️ Signs and symptoms to watch out for

There are many tell-tale signs your dog might be experiencing periodontitis. It might be best for you to watch out for the following:



  • Bad breath (halitosis)

  • Excessive drooling

  • Chewing on one side of the mouth

  • Discoloured teeth

  • Loose or missing teeth

  • Weight loss

  • Loss of appetite

  • Irritability

  • Acting aggressively or withdrawn

  • Reluctance to play with chew toys

  • Bloody saliva

  • Bleeding or inflamed gums

  • Blood in water bowl or on chew toys

Is there a cure for periodontal disease?

Periodontitis can be treated, depending on how severe it’s affected your dog’s teeth. It’s divided into 4 different stages:


Stage 1.

At this stage, your dog will need to get professional dental cleaning to avoid plaque from accumulating.


Stage 2 & 3.

The vet will need to scrape above and below the gumline to remove plaque and tartar buildup, and polish the teeth to make it more difficult for bacteria to stick to the teeth’s surface in the future.


Stage 4.

At this point, your dog might need to undergo surgery and have their teeth extracted.

The easiest solution to prevent periodontitis


Brushing your dog’s teeth can get pretty uncomfortable for many dogs. They might not be able to tolerate their fur parents brushing their teeth even once, let alone regularly. 


Your best alternative is to provide them with a healthy dental chew. Here’s why it’s the best and easiest solution:


➡️ Reduces plaque buildup by up to 70%

Dogs who chew actively reduce tartar and plaque buildup. With a proper dental chew, they’re able to clean their teeth while they engage in an activity that also sharpens their bite. 


➡️ Non-invasive cleaning method

Naturally, dogs love to chew. It’s much easier for them to clean their teeth on their own than have their pet parents interfere with their mouth. Plus, they’ll be a lot more at ease doing it on their own.


Pet Snacks has a wide range of 100% natural, single-ingredient dental chews and treats. 

Our dental chews not only help clean your dog’s teeth, they also freshen your pup’s breath and provide nutrients your dog needs to stay in shape.


Periodontitis can destroy your dog’s teeth and impact their overall well-being if left untreated. Your best bet at preventing your furry friend from developing this disease is by giving them a pack of all-natural dental chews to help them clean their teeth, diminish plaque buildup, and freshen their breath.