When a pomsky dog smiles at you it warms your heart. It is important that pomsky owners take care of their pomsky’s teeth to keep that smile healthy and clean. This post includes why dental care is important for pomsky dogs, signs of dental problems, most common dental problems seen in pomsky dogs and tips for pomsky dog dental care.

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Why is Dental Care Important for Pomsky Dogs?

Good dental care and dental hygiene is very important to maintain a pomsky dog’s overall health. When you brush your pomsky’s teeth or receive professional teeth cleanings on a regular basis this can reduce the risk of your pomsky having gum disease, tooth decay, or other dental problems. Problems that start in the teeth and gums can lead to other health problems including infections, organ damage, or heart problems. Keeping your dog’s teeth clean and healthy will prevent your dog from having mouth discomfort and can increase their quality of life and overall well being.

Signs of Dental Problems in Pomsky Dogs

A pomsky with healthy teeth will have white or ivory colored teeth without any inflammation. Common signs of dental problems in dogs include:

Change in eating habits – If your pomsky dog appears to be eating less frequently or avoids certain foods, this can be a sign of dental problems.
Pain while chewing – Your pomsky might have teeth problems if they squint their eyes while chewing, chew on only one side of their mouth, or if they spit out foods that are too hard to chew.
Bad breath – If your dog has foul smelling breath, this can be a sign of dog dental disease. Your pomsky’s breath should have a neutral odor.
Pawing at the face or mouth – If your dog paws at their mouth or buries their face into the carpet or blanket, this can be a sign that they have dental problems.
Discolored teeth or gums – A dog’s teeth should be a white or ivory color and their gums should be mostly pink and firm. If your dog’s teeth or gums appear darker, such as a brown color, there may be something wrong and you will want to bring your pomsky into the veterinarian.
Inflamed gums – If your pomsky dog’s gums appear puffy or swollen along the gumline, or bleed easily this may indicate dental problems.
Irregular teeth shapes – Dogs have four different types of teeth including incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. These each have a different function, for example, the canines are pointed and used for piercing tough materials, while the molars are great for grinding tough foods. Your dog’s adult teeth should maintain their shape. If your pomsky chews on a very hard material, this can lead to teeth cracks and fractures, which will need to be looked at by a vet to prevent further problems such as infection.

Does My Pomsky Need Professional Dental Care?

Your veterinarian should check your pomsky’s teeth at annual or biannual visits. If there are signs of minor problems, your vet may recommend a professional cleaning. You can also schedule regular dental cleanings every 6 months – 1 year to create a routine for your dog and prevent plaque or bacteria build up. If there is a more significant problem, such as a tooth fracture, this will require a tooth extraction and your vet will provide information and recommendations about how to proceed to best care for your pomsky dog.

How Much Does Dog Dental Care Cost?

The price of dog teeth cleanings can vary by location, veterinarian office and tools used for the cleaning. On average, a dental cleaning for dogs typically costs between $200-$800. Although regular cleanings around $400 may be expensive, this can prevent buildup of plaque and save you money on a larger dental procedure in the future.

If your veterinarian finds other problems with your pomsky’s teeth such as a crack or fractured tooth, this will increase the cost of the dental procedure significantly.

A Slab Fracture occurs when a piece of your dog’s tooth breaks off due to chewing on hard objects. In our experience, this has occurred for pomskies who like to chew on hard objects and bones. A tooth with a slab fracture will need to be looked at by a veterinarian to determine if a tooth extraction or root canal is the best procedure. A tooth extraction will cost between $1200-$2000 and a root canal is typically double or triple the cost ($3200-$5000) and will require a dog dentist rather than a typical veterinarian.

Most Common Dental Problems in Pomskies

Gingivitis

This is when your dog’s gums are inflamed. Gingivitis can easily be prevented with regular tooth brushing. If you notice your pomsky’s gums are swollen or red, have your vet examine your dog’s gums and provide professional cleaning to prevent further problems from developing.

Gum Disease or Peridontal Disease

This is a disease caused by plaque buildup in the tissue around your dog’s teeth and can result in bone loss around the tooth. Peridontal disease is the most common disease seen by veterinarians and has a range of severity levels. The best way to prevent periodontal disease in pomskies is to brush your dog’s teeth and gums daily with dog toothpaste containing enzymes that break down plaque.

Tooth Fractures

The most common fractures seen in pomsky dogs are Slab Fractures which occur when a piece of the tooth breaks off due to chewing on hard objects. Any tooth fracture requires immediate attention from your veterinarian to prevent further damage or infection. As mentioned in previously, a tooth fracture will require either a tooth extraction or root canal.

Tips to Keep Your Pomsky’s Teeth Healthy

Brush Your Pomsky’s Teeth – Brushing your pomsky’s teeth daily is the best way to keep their teeth and gums healthy. The motion of brushing your dog’s teeth and gums is very important, and make sure you use a dog toothpaste with enzymes to break down plaque. Aim to brush your dog’s teeth at least 3 times a week if you cannot do daily brushings.
Use Dental Chews – Dental chews can help prevent plaque build up and allow your pomsky to chew on a material that won’t damage their teeth. Dental chews do not replace brushing however, so it is important to continue regularly brushing your pomsky’s teeth.
Toys for Dental Health – Give your pomsky rubber toys that massage their gums and teeth while they are playing or chewing on them. Rubber toys such as the KONG JumpN’N Jack, Woof Bite n’ Brush or KONG Dental Ball are some toys that can promote good dental health. If possible, avoid hard chews that could break off pieces of your dog’s teeth, however if this is what your dog needs to stay stimulated, you can make the informed decision.
Schedule Regular Dental Cleanings – Regular dental cleanings come at a price, but they ensure your pomsky dog’s teeth are cleaned and checked for signs of damage or gum disease. Regular dental cleanings are essential if you are unable to brush your dog’s teeth at home.
Healthy Diet – Feed your pomsky dog high quality food and treats to support their overall health. There are some dog foods that are specifically formulated to help reduce tartar and plaque.

Summary

Keeping your pomsky’s teeth and gums healthy is essential. Prevent your dog from having dental issues by incorporating dental care into daily routines and choosing the right toys, treats and foods. If your dog develops dental problems this can lead to expensive surgeries and other health problems, so it is necessary to brush your dog’s teeth on a regular basis and always check with your vet if you notice any tooth problems.