Yes, Dogs Can Wear Braces! Look at this Golden Retriever Pup With Braces On [PHOTO]

Do dogs wear braces and can this help? Apparently, a doggie dentist in Spring Lake, Michigan believes that it can. In fact, he fitted his daughter’s six-month-old puppy, Wesley, with its own set of braces.

The dentist, Dr. Jim Moore, is also a veterinarian for the Harborfront Hospital for Animals. He specializes in endodontics and oral surgery for pets, and he’s had his share of treating dogs with canine root canal and pets with fractured jaws.

In Wesley’s case, the Golden Retriever was fitted with braces because his teeth has been misaligned. The dentist explains that the dog braces are not for aesthetics, as Wesley, like many other dogs in need of dental care, has a valid health concern.

“He wasn’t able to fully close his mouth and chew well and he stopped playing with his toys because of the pain and started losing weight because he couldn’t eat,” said Wesley’s owner, Molly. “The good news is, the correction he needed will be brief, perhaps only a few weeks,” the experts at the Harborfront Hospital for Animals’ Facebook page wrote.

Wesley was fitted with the braces on Feb. 19 and it’s due to come off anytime this week. The braces do not seem to bother Wesley one bit as he eats and plays like any regular dog. “He’s a happy little guy,” noted Dr. Moore.

Meanwhile, the timing of Wesley’s braces procedure highlights National Pet Dental Health, which is observed every February. It is a good reminder for pet owners to ensure their dogs’ teeth are also given attention, as it can lead to serious health issues when it’s disregarded.

Like humans, dogs must visit their dentists regularly for cleaning, and in some cases, they may require filing, extraction and teeth adjustment. Dogs can also develop oral problems common to humans, such as gingivitis, halitosis, receding gums and tooth loss, thus their teeth’s health must be evaluated from time to time by veterinary dentist.

Check out Wesley with his braces below:

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