Brushing Teeth

Did you know that most dogs and cats have dental disease by 3 years of age? This is why it’s very important to consider your pet’s dental care needs throughout their life. The best way to keep your pet’s oral health in top shape is to brush their teeth. I’ve often heard from clients that it’s impossible to brush their cat or dog’s teeth, but the good news is most animals can be trained with positive conditioning to come to enjoy getting their teeth brushed. Listed below are a few steps to consider to help aid in brushing your pet’s teeth:

• Get your pet used to having their mouth handled by touching around their face and muzzle. It’s best to do this as young as possible, but even old dogs can learn new tricks!
• Take your finger and rub the outside part of their teeth over their cheeks to simulate having their teeth brushed.
• Hold their muzzle closed and lift their side lips with your fingers.
• Rub your finger along the outside of their teeth.
• Introduce your finger with a finger toothbrush or introduce a soft bristle toothbrush. Remember to use lots of high reward treats, like peanut butter, on the object to associate the experience with a positive one!
• Congratulations! You’re brushing your dog or cat’s teeth!

**It’s important to remember that this is a process that takes time for your pet to get used to, but it’ll be worth it in the long run. Use lots of treats throughout the process to positively reinforce the experience and make it a good time for both of you!**

Here’s a few more facts about brushing your dog or cat’s teeth to keep in mind:

• Use a soft bristle toothbrush or a soft finger toothbrush
• Do NOT use human toothpaste – use animal-specific toothpaste or use a yummy tasting treat with teeth brushing
• The outside part of the teeth is the part that needs brushing – the inner part of the teeth in the mouth are cleaned naturally with the way teeth are aligned in the mouth
  • This is why it’s often easiest to brush their teeth while holding their mouth closed to access the outer part of the teeth
• The most important part of teeth brushing is physically rubbing the teeth with the toothbrush to get rid of plaque
• Your pet’s teeth should be brushed once DAILY for best results
• Bad breath is one of the most common initial signs of dental disease that owners observe.
• If your pet is uncomfortable with their mouth being handled or you notice your pet has bad breath, it may be time for a professional dental cleaning appointment with your veterinarian. Please talk with your local veterinarian for more information!

***This blog is intended for educational purposes only.  It does not establish a VCPR (Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship) and does not provide advice regarding what to do for any specific diagnosis.  As such, this blog should not be substituted for seeking medical care for your pet.  Should your pet need professional medical care, please consult your local veterinarian. ***