Dog teeth brushing, is that necessary?
Some dog owners find brushing their four-legged friend’s teeth superfluous. Veterinarians, on the other hand, highly recommend brushing your four-legged friend’s teeth for dental health. So take care of your four-legged friend’s teeth regularly and avoid unpleasant problems with your darling. Besides brushing your teeth, there are other ways to keep your dog’s teeth healthy.
Brushing your dog’s teeth: regular toothpaste? D rather not!
Take brushing your four-legged friend’s teeth seriously and use high-quality dental care products for your pet. Never use human toothpaste. This is toxic to your dog and contains fluoride. You can find a suitable toothpaste for your four-legged friend both on the Internet and in the pet shop.
Brushing teeth in dogs: coconut oil
Coconut oil is ideal for dental care of your four-legged friend. Most dogs love the taste of coconut oil. In addition, coconut oil has antibacterial properties that ensure that your four-legged friend’s teeth are well protected. As an alternative to dog toothpaste, you can use coconut oil for your four-legged friend’s dental and oral hygiene.
Sometimes a treat doesn’t hurt
A delicious chewing bone makes every dog happy. In addition to the delicious taste, a chewing bone is also good for your four-legged friend in terms of dental and oral hygiene. With a chewing bone, your four-legged friend can clean his teeth himself. Dried meat, rawhide or a raw bone, without any protruding pieces, can also contribute to the dental care of your four-legged friend.
My dog’s teeth are shining: Can drinking water help?
Water additives can also help to clean your dog’s teeth. These are small bottles that you can mix a few drops of into your dog’s drinking water. This is a very easy way to clean your dog’s teeth, provided your dog likes the taste.
Spray against deposits and bad breath
There are also sprays that can improve your dog’s oral flora. If you manage to pull up your dog’s lips, you can spray your four-legged friend’s teeth. It is important to really hit the teeth, because this is where most of the deposits are formed.
How do you brush a dog’s teeth?
Brushing teeth is easier for some dogs and more difficult for others. Get your puppy used to brushing their teeth from an early age. This will make it easier to brush his teeth as an adult dog. We have created step-by-step instructions for you on how to teach your four-legged friend to brush their teeth:
Step 1: Stop! dental check
Before you brush your dog’s teeth, it’s important to take a look inside your four-legged friend’s mouth. This allows you to identify problems early on. Healthy teeth are white and gums are firm, pink and healthy looking. Some dogs have pigment spots on their gums. That’s not bad at all. Red and bleeding gums, on the other hand, can indicate an infection in the mouth. If left untreated, this can lead to tooth loss in your dog. Plaque can be identified by a yellow or brownish color on the edges of teeth. In such cases, contact your veterinarian.
Step 2: Getting used to the toothbrush
Brushing your dog’s teeth works best when your four-legged friend is already used to it and knows what to expect. Get your four-legged friend used to the toothbrush first. Reward your dog if he does this well. Now it’s time to gently grasp your dog’s snout. If your dog resists, take a step back until he’s ready.
Step 3: please open your mouth!
Now it’s time to gently open your dog’s mouth. First lift the lips and inspect the teeth. Practice this regularly until your dog gets used to it. Most dogs don’t like this, so they practice this situation over and over again. If this works without problems, then it’s time to grab your dog’s jaw and gently open his mouth. Open your four-legged friend’s mouth as wide as possible and take a good look at all the teeth, including the molars that are hidden at the very back.
Step 4: Practice Toothbrushes
Since the direct step to brushing teeth with bristly toothbrushes is often too big for dogs, practice with your fingers first. If your dog doesn’t mind this, you can practice with a piece of gauze bandage to help him get used to the chafing sensation. Use this to gently massage your dog’s teeth and praise your dog when he’s good! You can also use dog toothpaste for practice. Dog toothpaste doesn’t necessarily clean teeth, it’s more of a nice treat for your four-legged friend. When your dog is fully used to this sensation, you can start using a finger toothbrush. This will prepare your dog for proper tooth brushing.
Step 5: Time for the real work
Now that you have successfully completed all the steps together, it’s time to use the toothbrush. There are special brushes for dogs that are nice and soft. Before you begin, it’s important to mention that your dog should have ample opportunities to swallow regularly. But how do you brush a dog’s teeth?
Now it’s time to use the brush. Always start with the canines and then move the brush to the large molars at the back of the upper jaw and on the outside. These are the areas where most of the tartar develops and it is important to brush extra well here.
Use slow brushing motions, being careful not to startle your dog. If you start brushing your teeth without any problems, you can brush the inside and the rest of your teeth. Always use toothpaste that is specifically designed for dogs, i.e. without fluoride.
How often should I brush my dog’s teeth?
Brushing your dog’s teeth will probably be necessary several times a week in the beginning. The more plaque you remove in the process, the less often you will have to brush your dog’s teeth later. The easiest way is to schedule a fixed time for brushing your teeth. In this way, your dog gets used to the structure of the day and accepts faster that brushing his teeth is part of everyday life!