Brushing your dog’s teeth is as important as brushing their fur because it is an important part of their overall health and hygiene. Not only does it help prevent bad breath, but it also helps prevent serious health problems such as gum diseases and tooth decay.
Regular dental care for your dog can increase its lifespan and does improve its quality of life. However, for many pet owners, the thought of brushing their dog’s teeth can be intimidating. Well, here is our comprehensive guide to help you.
This guide will provide step-by-step instructions with practical and helpful tips to make brushing your dog’s teeth a breeze and ensure a healthy smile for your Doggo.
Choosing the right time is essential. There is no fixed time, choose a time when your dog is calm and relaxed. If your dog is angry and not in the mood for brushing, that is a bad time. Do not ignore the designated spot for brushing your dog. Make sure the room you are choosing is free from active children.
Obviously, you will need a good toothbrush and toothpaste for your dog but make sure to at least get a good toothbrush. Get an angled toothbrush with softer bristles for your dog and it is important to Choose a toothbrush that is according to the size of your dog.
If you have a small dog, a finger brush would suit your dog but if you have a big dog, a toothbrush with a bigger handle would be a much better choice. Never use human toothpaste for a dog as it contains ingredients that might be harmful for the dogs. Get a good toothpaste made for dogs instead.
Make sure you have chosen a place and a position where your dog feels relaxed. Also, make sure to stand in a position where both you and your dog are comfortable, and Do not take a threatening stance or stand above them. Either Sit in front of your dog or by its side.
You have to make your dog comfortable with some kind of touch on their teeth and gums. Using a light pressure, touch against their teeth and gums before moving to the toothbrushing.
Touch the toothbrush to the front, back, right and bottom teeth of your dog. It is also recommended to reward your dog with treats for tolerating the toothbrush.
Put some toothpaste on your fingers and let your dog lick it from your fingers so they can get used to the taste. If they refuse to lick the toothpaste again, you can try a different flavor.
Once your dog is comfortable with the touch and the toothpaste, you can put the toothpaste on the toothbrush.
Start by lifting up your dog’s upper lip. Place the toothbrush on the upper teeth and start brushing them gently while paying proper attention, it’s not wise to make a mistake at this stage.
It is important not to ignore the side teeth of your doggo. Move the brush from the front teeth to the right teeth and then from the front teeth to the left teeth. You can also brush the inside of your dog’s teeth.
Now, coming to the bottom teeth, hold the bottom lip and move the brush on the bottom teeth until they are clean, and make sure you are only applying light pressure.
Move the toothbrush slowly to the right side of the teeth. After the right side of the teeth is clean, move the brush to the left bottom side and make sure both the sides are clean. If your dog is still comfortable with the brush, clean the inside of the bottom teeth.
When you have finished brushing your dog, reward your dog or give it extra attention. You can also praise them by rewarding them with their favorite treat. Now, your dog will get their teeth brushed without getting angry or anxious.
Brushing your dog’s teeth regularly can prevent bad breath and periodontal disease. It helps remove plaque and prevent tartar accumulation on your Dog’s teeth.
It is recommended to brush your dog’s teeth daily but a minimum of three times a week is required to prevent plaque and tartar build-up.
No, human toothpaste is not safe for dogs to swallow. It can upset the stomach and can cause digestive issues. Some human toothpaste have a high sodium content that can make your doggo ill. Some kinds of toothpaste have xylitol which is toxic for dogs so always make sure to buy good quality toothpaste which is made for dogs.
No, baking soda isn’t safe for dogs as it has a high alkaline content which can disturb the acid balance in the stomach and digestive tract. Also, baking soda doesn’t taste good which may make your doggo hate tooth brushing.
