Brushing Your Pet's Teeth
What You Will Need
Doggie Toothbrush: Choose a soft brush in a size that matches their mouth. Canine toothbrushes are more angled and also come in a fingertip style, which slips over the end of your finger. Choose the kind you both like.
Canine Toothpaste: It's unlikely your dog will learn to spit, so they need a toothpaste that's safe to swallow. That rules out human formulas, which contain abrasives and detergent that they shouldn't ingest. Plus, they'll prefer the poultry options of canine toothpaste.
Wipes/Pads: When there's no time for full brushing, wiping their teeth and gum line will whisk away some bacteria and food. You can use a canine dental pad, or a simple gauze pad wrapped around your finger.
Tips On How To Get Started
First, spend some time handling their mouth. Turn your finger into a treat by dabbing something tasty on it -- like peanut butter or nonfat yogurt. Let them lick at your finger, while you gently rub their teeth and gums. Reapply the tasty treat as needed, trying to move lips aside to expose more of the teeth.
Your pet will also need to be used to having you handle their muzzle. Gently place one hand under the lower jaw and the other on top and rest your hands like that for a few seconds. Gradually work your way toward manipulating the mouth by parting their lips, then gently easing the jaw open.
Once they've given everything the OK, choose a time of day that's quiet and unhurried, then bring out the brushing gear.
To get started:
Let your dog sniff and lick the toothpaste and toothbrush.
Move your dog's lips aside, then rub the visible teeth with either your finger or the toothbrush. A touch of toothpaste may spark their interest.
Gradually increase the number of teeth you brush, reapplying the toothpaste as needed. Remember to brush along the gum line. A circular motion works best.
Once that's going well for a few days, try gently opening their jaw to brush the back teeth. Don't worry if it's too difficult to brush the inside of their teeth; with most breeds, periodontal disease is more common on the outside of teeth.
Conclude with a special reward - play, treat or affection - even if the process didn't go well. You want your dog to form a positive association with brushing, so a happy ending this time may make them more agreeable next time.
Most experts agree that daily brushing is ideal, but if that is unrealistic, aim for three to four times per week. And don't be an overachiever: If your pup's patience only lasts long enough for you to brush half their teeth today and the other half tomorrow, that's fine. Just remember which half you did each day!