How to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth

Introducing dental cleaning to dogs isn’t always the easiest feat. Many dogs are resistant at first; however, proper dental cleaning will help prevent a number of possible health problems, including periodontal disease. Good oral hygiene will also help get rid of that nasty dog breath.

Read on if you’re interested in learning how to brush your dog’s teeth.

Get the right toothbrush and toothpaste

Don’t just go with the first toothbrush you see. Do some research on which toothbrush would work best for your dog specifically. You may even want to ask your dog’s veterinarian for a recommendation.

Never use a toothbrush and toothpaste made for humans. These toothbrushes can damage your dog’s gums, and human-specific toothpaste often features ingredients that make dogs sick.

Choose the right time

When introducing dental cleaning to your dogs, it’s important to choose the right time. You don’t want to try and brush your dog’s teeth when they’re feeling active. Make sure your dog is calm and in a comfortable place before getting started.

Don’t use the toothbrush right away

An important part of introducing dental cleaning to dogs is getting them used to the sensation of having their teeth touched. Before using a toothbrush, lift your dog’s lip and gently touch their teeth. Try handling their face for around one minute. After completing this step, give your dog a treat and plenty of praise.

Try out the toothbrush and toothpaste

Don’t start brushing with the toothbrush right away. Instead, touch the toothbrush to your dog’s teeth for about a minute, then give them a reward. You can also introduce them to the toothpaste by placing some on your finger and letting them lick it off. If your dog doesn’t like the flavor, get another kind.

Brush their teeth

The last step in this process is actually brushing your dog’s teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Give your dog plenty of praise during the entire process. It’s likely they’ll feel uncomfortable and want to stop the first few times. Just keep trying until your dog gets comfortable with the process.

Other ways to improve a dog’s oral hygiene

Now you know how to brush your dog’s teeth. While introducing dental cleaning to your dogs is important, there are several other ways to improve their oral hygiene as well. For example, there are many dog treats and chews designed to clean a dog’s teeth. Just be sure to do your research on these products, as some don’t work as advertised. There are also food supplements, sprays and water additives that can all help improve a dog’s oral health; however, brushing should always be a part of your furry friend’s dental care routine.

Get professional teeth cleaning

When trying to improve your dog’s oral health, consider working with a professional groomer. Professional groomers use top-quality products for dental care and know exactly how to keep dogs calm during the process. They can even offer you great advice on brushing your dog’s teeth at home.

For all your dog teeth cleaning and other grooming needs, contact the experts at The Soggy Dog.

Categorised in: Dog Health

This post was written by Writer