Consider the accumulation of plaque that forms on your dog’s teeth and eventually hardens under her gum line, bringing bacteria, discomfort, and eventually destabilization of the teeth that can largely be avoided with regular brushing. If you’re making New Year’s resolutions, why not improve your dog’s health by adding a daily dental hygiene regimen to your list. It makes the decision a no-brainer.
Many dogs are comfortable brushing themselves right away. They enjoy the flavors of the canine toothpaste, such as beef, poultry, and others, and they don’t mind getting more attention from you. But some people react to any attempt to approach their mouths with anything from reluctance to outright distress.
Start by simply dabbing a small amount of enzymatic toothpaste made specifically for dogs on the toothbrush you’ll be using every night if your dog is one of the uncooperative ones. Giving her the toothpaste as a reward without having her actually brush her teeth could very well accustom her to the idea over time, leading to her eventual compliance. And unlike toothpaste for humans, it doesn’t contain fluoride or xylitol, which are toxic to dogs, so it won’t hurt your pet.
It’s crucial to make sure the brush you select is the appropriate one for your specific dog. The bristles should be rounded and soft or extra-soft. There are other considerations as well. Here is a list of the options so you can try to find the best brush for your dog.
The best option is frequently a toothbrush made specifically for dogs, especially one that is angled to better access awkward places. It’s best to use dual-headed brushes that have a small brush on one end and a larger brush on the other. The larger brush is best for general brushing, and the smaller brush is best for brushing more delicate areas like the smaller front teeth.
The H&H Pets Dual Headed Dog & Cat Toothbrush Set is a toothbrush we like. There are either four or eight brushes in each pack, each with an angled handle and both a small and a large brush. Available on chewy. com and amazon. com for $6. 99 to $8. 99.
Use of a baby toothbrush should be acceptable. Your dog will benefit from the small head and gentle, rounded bristles, and some people find the shorter handle to be more maneuverable.
You should not use a battery-operated, spinning device as a human toothbrush. Because you won’t be able to see where the brush is landing, that could hurt your dog.
Some dogs respond better to a toothbrush in the form of a thimble with flexible rubber bristles than a toothbrush. Although a finger covering won’t reach below the gumline like a toothbrush does, a nervous dog may see it as an extension of you and accept it more readily than a foreign object, which will make her more trusting of the brushing procedure. The ability to more accurately gauge the amount of pressure you are applying to your dog’s teeth and gums is another benefit of finger brushes.
Six of the Cat and Dog Finger Toothbrushes from Pet Republic are available in small (for women and people with small fingers) and regular sizes, depending on the wearer’s finger width. Available on amazon. com for $6. 88. I’ll Brush Them Myself, Thank You.
Not all dogs make their peace with toothbrushing. There are interactive “brushes” available for them that your pet will enjoy chewing on as she cleans her teeth.
One of them is the Bristly Empawer Pets Rubber Toothbrush. With the help of this DIY method, a dog is able to chew on a “toy” she holds in her paws. It scrubs teeth even along the gumline with bristles that smell and taste like meat. The self-dispensing toothpaste reservoir on the tear-resistant rubber toothbrush also brings toothpaste up to the bristles as your dog chews on it. Adding toothpaste will make the brushing that much more effective.
The dishwasher-safe Bristly Empawer was created through the crowdsourcing website Kickstarter. And tests reveal that for heavy chewers, it lasts roughly one month before needing to be replaced. For average dogs, the recommended replacement time is 3 months. Available on petco. com, amazon. com, and chewy. com in small to large sizes from $19. 99 to $24. 99.
When should I brush my dog’s teeth?
It is ideal to brush your dog’s teeth at least twice a day, just like we do. Many dogs will start to anticipate and enjoy brushing once it becomes a daily ritual. The minimum recommended amount of brushing to help prevent tartar buildup and remove plaque is three times per week.
The ideal time to train your dog to tolerate tooth brushing is when he is a puppy. Even though the training process might take a little longer if your dog is older, it is still well worth the time and effort.
What You Need to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth:
Exactly how should I brush my dog’s teeth?
Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the toothbrush. Lift the lips on one side of your dog’s mouth gently. Either place your free hand over your dog’s head with your thumb and index finger on either side of his upper jaw to lift his lips, or push up on the lip with the index finger of your free hand (as shown in the).
You must slightly open your dog’s mouth to reach the lower teeth. This can be accomplished by gently tilting your dog’s head backward and grasping his or her upper jaw with your free hand’s thumb and index finger.
Prioritize brushing the canine teeth and the large cheek teeth first because these are the teeth where plaque and tartar buildup occurs most quickly. Work up to brushing every tooth gradually (this will likely take a few days or weeks).
Unless your dog is very cooperative, you shouldn’t worry about brushing the inside or tips of their teeth. The outer surfaces of the teeth are where periodontal disease most frequently manifests itself, so you should concentrate your efforts there. Additionally, the inner surfaces of the dog’s teeth are less likely to require brushing because the dog’s tongue tends to remove a lot of plaque from them.
FAQ
What toothbrushes are safe for dogs?
The Woobamboo Dog & Cat Toothbrush is a great dog toothbrush that is also environmentally friendly. This dog toothbrush, which has been approved by veterinarians, is good for the environment and your dog’s oral health because it is made of recyclable bamboo.
Can I use an Oral B toothbrush on my dog?
In a pinch, you can add a little flavor by combining 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 teaspoon of chicken or beef stock or broth. The resulting paste will somewhat clean your dog’s teeth, but commercial toothpastes do contain fluoride and enzymes to fight bacteria and plaque.
What can I brush my dogs teeth with instead of toothpaste?
Brush your dog’s teeth with canine toothpaste. Chicken, beef, and peanut butter are the most popular flavors. Choose a toothpaste flavor with caution if your dog has a food allergy.