You’ve made one of the best decisions for your dogs health by deciding to start brushing your dogs teeth TODAY!
I want to help you get started with brushing your dogs teeth, so I’ve been recording when I brush teeth!. As you may imagine, brushing a dogs teeth, and recording it at the same time, can prove to be a handful! A couple of the video’s the dog lifts their head so high they are out of the screen shot. All-in-all you’ll be able to see how it’s done. The point is approach your dog with confidence and continue the brushing process even if they move their head away, which they will.
What You’ll Need To Brush A Dogs Teeth
There are just a couple of things you’ll need to complete the tooth brushing process:
- A Toothbrush – Choose a toothbrush you feel most comfortable using. Keep in mind if you use the kind that slip onto your finger you will be sticking half of your finger into their mouth to brush the back teeth. I use a standard toothbrush. I like the slim design for back teeth. I buy them in bulk so every time I brush their teeth they have a fresh new toothbrush.. Dogs don’t need their teeth brushed every day. Every other month is plenty.
- Toothpaste – Do not use human toothpaste! You want a toothpaste that will fight plaque. I use Complete Care by Arm & Hammer.
Brushing A Dogs Teeth Step-By-Step
- Place your “tools” within easy reach where ever you decide to work.
- Place your pupper on the table or get down on the floor with them.
- Put a thin line of paste on the toothbrush.
- Have something behind their head because their natural reaction is going to be to pull back. Either your shoulder, arm, legs, have something ready for the pull back.
- Spread their lips just enough to get the toothbrush to make contact with their front teeth.
- Gently move the toothbrush back and forth a couple of times. You may only be able to swipe it one time across the front teeth. That’s fine, it’s a start!
- With their mouth closed slide the toothbrush into their cheek. Slide the brush back and forth gently. Do not hit the back of their jaw with the end of the brush.
- Move the brush to the other cheek and do the same thing. Like before, it’s progress just getting some toothpaste in there and onto the teeth.
- You’re done!
Praise and a treat are in order!
Were you aware that the bacteria that grows in your dogs mouth is linked to diabetes and heart disease in dogs? That yellow film that is on your dogs teeth is plaque, and plaque IS bacteria! And when they swallow it it can get into the blood system and cause all kinds of serious problem! There’s a great article that goes in-depth about the various problems neglecting your dogs teeth can cause, click here.
Brushing is not required everyday. As a matter of fact brushing your dogs teeth once a month is all you need to do to keep the plaque and tartar at away.
Related Posts Here.