6 Dog Dental Care Tips Every Owner Should Know
When was the last time that you paid attention to your dog’s dental health? If you’ve never brushed your pup’s teeth or used a dental wipe, you’re not alone! Today I’m going to share 6 dog dental care tips that every owner should know as well as the secret to getting your dog used to toothbrushing time!
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The Royal Veterinary College at the University of London released a report estimating that periodontal disease would affect over 87% of dogs over the age of three! With an occurrence that high, it only makes sense that we, as responsible dog owners, will take any necessary precautions!
The final post in my home grooming series, today we are going to talk about dog dental care!
If you’ve missed the previous posts, make sure to check them out:
- Groom Your Pets at Home (With Little to No Regrets)
- How to Cut Your Pet’s Nails at Home (Including Tips for Nervous Pets)
- Clean Your Pet’s Ears Safely at Home With These Tips!
Prevent Periodontal Disease and Protect Your Dog’s Health with These 6 Dog Dental Care Tips:
#1 – Don’t Assume Dental Care is A Luxury
Too often dog owners assume that doggy toothbrushes and other cleaning devices are a luxury item for owners who want to go ‘above and beyond’.
Dental care is a necessary part of your dog’s healthcare.
There are cost-effective ways to incorporate dental care for your pup. However, there is no cost-effective way to deal with the medical costs associated with complications of poor dental health!
At the bare minimum, invest in a toothbrush and canine toothpaste.
#2 – Brush Your Dog’s Teeth Daily
You may have to work up to this point while your pup gets used to it, but you should be brushing your dog’s teeth as part of your daily routine.
Dog toothbrushes are specifically designed at a 45-degree angle to make it easier to brush your dog’s teeth. Alternatively, you can purchase a toothbrush that fits over your fingertip if you find that easier.
Make sure that you are using canine toothpaste!
The formulas that we humans use contain a number of ingredients that are either difficult to ingest or toxic for your pup. NEVER use human toothpaste when brushing your dog’s teeth!
#3 – Be Patient and Take Your Time
If this is your first time brushing, don’t expect your dog to be on board right away!
Getting your dog used to the toothbrush can take time.
Start at a young age where possible. If you have a puppy, spend some time each day handling his/her mouth so that your pup gets used to it.
Try turning your finger into a treat by dabbing a small amount of peanut butter or non-fat yogurt on it. Your dog will lick at your finger as you gently rub his/her teeth and gums, associating the process with that positive experience.
When you see that your dog is comfortable with this process, progress to the toothbrush.
Start by only rubbing the visible teeth when you move you move his/her lips aside. Over time, add more teeth to the process.
Don’t forget to reward your pup at the end!
#4 – Try Using Wipes or Pads Between Brushing
Check out the dental care aisle of your favourite pet store, and you will discover that there are a number of pads and wipes marketed specifically for dental care.
These work to wipe away bacteria and food quickly and easily when you don’t have time for a full brushing.
Alternatively, for those who are looking to save a little money, you can wrap a gauze pad around your finger.
Wipe over your dog’s teeth and gums carefully but don’t put too much pressure as this can cause pain and discomfort.
Remember – this is an option for a quick fix between brushing but should not be viewed as an alternative to brushing!
#5 – Give Your Dog Tooth-Friendly Chews and Toys
One of the best ways to promote good dental health between brushings and vet visits is to provide your dog with a good chew.
The process of chewing on natural options like a knucklebone or dental-friendly toys will help scrape away any plaque or dirt that has built up on your dog’s teeth.
Dental-friendly toys are made from rubber or nylon with a rough or textured surface.
Avoid rawhide, harder bones (like those from steak or ribs), small toys that can be swallowed, or rock-hard chew toys with no ‘give’. These all present health risks ranging from choking hazards to fracturing your dog’s teeth.
#6 – Don’t Skip Vet Appointments
You wouldn’t skip your own dental appointments, so why would you skip your dogs?
Your pup’s annual veterinary appointments give the professionals an opportunity to examine your dog’s teeth for any signs of concern and point out any recommendations moving forward.
This is an important opportunity to catch conditions that may otherwise be overlooked.
If you have any concerns regarding your pet’s dental health, make sure to keep your vet informed! This includes visible damage on your dog’s teeth, sudden bad breath, excessive drooling, bleeding at the gums, or any other signs of pain or discomfort surrounding his/her mouth.
It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Dogs are masters of hiding dental issues, and many owners assume if their pup is eating fine, there is nothing to be worried about.
However, your dog’s natural instincts will kick in often leading him/her to eat even if it is uncomfortable in order to avoid starvation.
If you have any concerns or suspicions, pick up the phone! Remember, your veterinarian has likely heard it all before!
Did I miss your go-to dog dental care tips? If so, I would love to hear them! Feel free to share your tips, tricks, and advice in the comments below.
This is the article I need! We just had our dog pup less than a week ago and I need to catch up on tips like this! Thank you!
Congratulations! Make sure to check out the ‘New Pet’ section of the blog. I have a lot of great resources there that could help you!
we learned about this the hard way when our baby had to get 14 teeth pulled! he was 16 and his bread is known for teeth problems but it broke our hearts
Some breeds definitely have a higher risk than others. I’m glad that you were able to have his teeth pulled and care for him at that point. Not all pups are that lucky to have a family willing and able to do what’s necessary to make them comfortable.
We don’t have dogs yet. Since my husband loves to adopt one soon, I will keep this post for him so he can have some references to look into especially taking care of their teeth. Thanks for sharing!
If you do choose to adopt, check out the ‘new pet’ section. I link to a lot of content on there specifically for new pet owners.
Thank you for the tips! Will keep this in mind when we get a dog. I’ve always wondered when to brush a dog’s teeth.
Thank you!
I’ll admit that my dog’s teeth are something I forget about too often!
A lot of pet owners do!
Hmm, I might have to say that I never bring my dogs to dental checkups. Thanks for sharing this useful post, I will definitely note that down
Ours get their dental check as part of their annual vet examination. If your vet isn’t doing that, I would consider asking if they could add that on next time!
I always make sure that my puppy’s teeth are always clean too. Great post dear!
Thank you!
Very useful post! As only a few months ago we took a new family member this information is very important and I really could find many answers to my questions! Now I only need to go to the shop!
Congratulations on your new family member!
Dental care is a much for any animal. It’s pretty sadthat in my country even vets don’t much attention to it. When I say that I brush the teeth, give special toys and treats for my boys people tend to be surprised and doubt it’s needed
That is definitely sad. Hopefully, by speaking up and sharing what you do regularly, you will help encourage them to reconsider the importance of it.
These are some great tips! I’ve tried brushing my dog’s teeth numerous times, but it’s never gone well. I know how important it is to take care of my pup’s teeth but gave up all hope of being able to brush her teeth on my own. Your suggestions have me feeling like there’s still hope. I can give it another try now and maybe be successful (or at least work my way up to a somewhat-successful brushing). And I didn’t even know teeth wipes/pads were a thing! I’ll have to give those a try between brushing attempts. Thanks!
It didn’t go well the first time with my girl either – she had NO interest in letting me reach into her mouth. However, she got more comfortable each time we worked on it until it became something that was just ‘normal’ in our routine.
It is very essential to take care the teeth of the beloved dog. Sometime dogowners ignore this BUT every dog should follow the tips mentioned here.
It’s overlooked far too often!
Thanks for reminding me that I should never use my own toothpaste whenever I’m brushing my dog’s teeth. I only got my two-year-old golden retriever last week and although finding out her preferred food is easy, other grooming tasks aren’t easy for me as a first-time pet owner. It might be better to just visit a pet clinic that offers dental care services and get her oral health checked.
I do believe that every dog should have regular oral health checks even if you are brushing their teeth at home. It’s no different than the fact that we visit the dentist but still practice proper oral hygiene at home for ourselves.
By ignoring your dog’s teeth, you are pretty much guaranteeing more serious diseases down the road. Not to mention the costs you will incur when trying to treat your dog’s delayed dental issues.
Yes! It is SO important to be proactive to avoid problems down the road!
You are right about the immense importance of keeping the teeth of the pets clean and healthy. But getting the dogs to adapt to toothbrush could be tough and even a little dangerous at times, if the dog is an adult and of a bigger variety.
It is always better to cultivate this habit while they are young.
It is definitely a habit that is best started young. Luckily, if you’ve trained a larger dog to allow you to handle their muzzle (something else that I feel strongly should be done to make vet visits and potential first aid situations easier), you will have better luck in adjusting an older dog to their toothbrush.