If you have just started brushing your dog’s teeth for the first time, you probably aren’t quite sure about what products to get to provide this kind of care for them. Believe it or not, there are actually many different kinds of dog toothbrushes on the market that you can choose from to match your dog’s needs. Just like with human products, there are dog toothbrushes of various firmness and different brush styles that you can choose from.
Brushing your dog’s teeth is an important part of caring for their oral health and getting the right toothbrush can make all the difference in your dog’s experience. Getting the right size toothbrush is also just as important as getting the right hardness and the right design. There are many different kinds of dog toothbrushes on the market, and you do not have to settle for the first one that you find on the shelf.
If you’re ready to learn more about how to pick the best dog toothbrush for your pet, you need to keep reading.
Best Dog Toothbrush for Your Pet
If you want to gain access to all the various kinds of toothbrushes that are on the market for your pet, you might have to shop online. Pet stores might have various toothbrushes on the shelves, but they will probably be limited when it comes to different brands and brush styles. These are the factors that you need to keep in mind when shopping for dog toothbrushes:
1. Hardness
Dog toothbrushes come in soft, medium, hard, and extra hard in most cases. You can also sometimes order an ultra-soft brush for dogs with very sensitive mouths. Soft bristles are best for small dogs, dogs with oral health issues, and puppies. For young and healthy animals, a medium bristle brush is probably completely acceptable.
The hard and extra hard bristle options are probably only going to be useful for dogs who tend to want to bite the toothbrush while you’re trying to brush their teeth. Just as with people, you can brush too hard and cause damage to the gums if you’re using a brush with the wrong firmness. No matter which kind of product you get for your dog’s toothbrush, be sure that you are not brushing so hard that you are causing them to bleed.
2. Style of Brush
There are various styles of brush that you can choose from, and many of the design differences are made with different-sized dogs in mind. Fingertip brushes are ideal for puppies or very small dogs, and these will look a lot like a flexible thimble that you can put over the end of your finger. There are also angled toothbrushes that have angled handles or angled bristles which makes it easier to brush at the back of your dog’s mouth. These toothbrushes are often ideal for large dogs or for dogs that tend to clench their teeth and make it hard for you to brush.
Double-headed toothbrushes have bristles on both sides of the handle, which can be beneficial if you struggle to get the toothbrush into your dog’s mouth so you can get something done with it. This kind of brush is often harder to find, but it can be the best option for your dog’s needs.
3. Size
The size of the toothbrush that you get can impact its effectiveness. Puppies and small dogs will need much smaller toothbrushes or even fingertip brushes as compared to large dogs. For very large dogs, you might need a toothbrush with an extra-long handle so that your fingers don’t get nipped as you are trying to brush their teeth. Some companies sell the same brush in three different sizes in the same package so that you can figure out which brush is the best for you and your dog.
You might not know which is the ideal style, shape, or size of brush in the beginning, but once you have tried out a few different toothbrushes, you should have figured out which product is the best for your dog’s needs. Always be sure to look at the actual measured sizes of each brush that you’re looking at so that you’re not surprised when the product arrives.
4. Brush Head Shape
Also, like human products, some dog toothbrushes are made with different sizes and shapes of brush heads. Getting a rounded or triangular-shaped brush might make an impact on the effectiveness of your time spent taking care of your dog’s oral health. Consider the shape of your dog’s head when thinking about which kind of brush head you will need. When getting a toothbrush for a very small dog or a puppy, you probably do not want to pick any of the angled or pointed brush head styles.
The brush shape can also impact its lifespan, and you should make sure to check reviews to see what experiences other people have had with the product you are thinking about buying. Often a normal rectangular-shaped brush head is more than sufficient for your needs, but you can ask your veterinarian if you think that you are not getting an effective clean with the basic brush that you currently own.
Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth is Essential for Their Well-Being
Brushing your dog’s teeth is an important part of caring for their overall health and well-being. When you have the right tools on hand, this process can be simple and enjoyable for you and your dog. Most of the time, dogs dislike having their teeth brushed because of problems to do with the toothbrush that has been selected for the process.
Always remember to be patient when teaching your dog to have their teeth brushed and be sure that you have considered whether they are fearful or uncomfortable while you’re trying to teach them about this process. Teaching your dog to enjoy having their teeth brushed does not have to be a struggle and getting the right toothbrush can make all the difference.
Do you have questions about caring for your dog’s teeth? Call your Eastside Animal Hospital veterinarian at (517) 332-2511 today!
For a list of approved oral products for dogs see this list put together by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).