Brushing your dog’s teeth can make all the difference in their oral health. You can prevent common problems like plaque build-up and dental disease just by brushing your dog’s teeth every day. There are many different tooth brushing products out there for cats and dogs, which can make things confusing when you are shopping for the right product for your pet’s needs. Like many other products made for small animals, there can be a lot of confusion about which is the right dog toothpaste for your dog’s needs.
Since there are so many different dog toothpastes on the market, you might need to know some more about these products. Being better educated about the factors that make for a good dog toothpaste can help you to have better luck and a better overall experience while caring for your dog’s teeth. Most dogs can learn to enjoy having their teeth brushed, and this will be much more likely if you have the right toothpaste product in hand.
How to Choose a Dog Toothpaste
If you are ready to learn more about how to choose the right dog toothpaste for your pet’s dental health and well-being, read on! Here is a list of approved approved products for dogs according to Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).
1. Flavor
Dog toothpastes come in many flavors. This can be key to helping your dog to enjoy the toothbrushing process, and it can make your dog much more likely to want to let you brush their teeth. If your dog hates the toothpaste that you have purchased, it can be worth your time to try a different flavor before you assume that they just don’t enjoy having their teeth brushed. Flavor can make a big impact on your dog’s experience with having their teeth brushed, and you will want to be sure that you do not discount this aspect of the toothpaste shopping experience.
2. Enzymatic Cleaning
If the toothpaste that you are looking into does not offer enzymatic cleaning, it will not be of any use to your dog for their oral health. Make sure that you verify that the formula will offer this benefit. This is key to the prevention of tartar build-up, and you should not compromise on this important aspect of any toothpaste that you are considering buying. This is basically the most important aspect of any toothpaste product, so be sure that you are not buying a low-quality product that does not offer this benefit.
3. Antibacterial Ingredients
Toothpaste for dogs needs to help control all the various bacteria that like to colonize dog mouths. This is a big factor in bad breath, but it can also have an impact on your dog’s well-being. Excess bacteria in the mouth can throw off the balance of the GI tract and can also be a consideration when looking at problems with the heart or with dental decay. Your dog’s mouth is always going to have bacteria growing in it, but you will want to be sure that you can control the amount of bacteria with healthy brushing habits.
4. Prevents Plaque
Plaque can be one of the key issues that lead to tartar build-up that can cause tooth decay, trouble with eating, and pain in the mouth. You will need to be sure that you are looking at toothpaste for your dog that will make plaque much less likely to cause trouble. Plaque can be hard to stay ahead of in some cases, and there are canines that make an excess of plaque on their own. Be sure that you are not missing out on this important preventative in whatever toothpaste you decide to use for your dog.
5. Fluoride Free
Dogs cannot have fluoride, so you will need to be certain that you do not see this ingredient in your dog’s toothpaste. This is one of the main reasons that you cannot just use human toothpaste for your dog’s toothbrushing needs. Be sure that you look for parabens, sulfates, and fluoride in any toothpaste product that you are buying. Even if the item is listed as being safe for dogs, you might need to double-check that the product is going to be safe for your pet to ingest.
What if My Dog Hates Having Its Teeth Brushed?
While some dogs never do learn to enjoy having their teeth brushed, you can usually teach your dog to enjoy the process and even to look forward to it. Make sure that you are always patient with your dog and that you do not try to brush for long periods of time in each session. Dog toothpaste is often sold with a dog-style toothbrush as well as a fingertip brush, so you should be able to find a good routine that works for you and your canine friend to take care of their teeth with ease. Just being patient and rewarding your dog with positive reinforcement is often all that it takes to teach your dog to like having their teeth brushed.
Dog Toothpaste Needs to be Safe and Effective
The toothpaste that you invest in for your dog needs to be both safe and tasty enough that it motivates them to want to have their teeth brushed. You will have much better luck brushing your dog’s teeth if you invest in a quality product that can be counted upon to work hard for your needs. Making sure that there are no toxic substances included in the product is also important when shopping for toothpaste for dogs.
Your dog will be much more likely to enjoy the toothbrushing process if you get a dog toothpaste that offers an enjoyable flavor. Looking for anti-plaque and antibacterial properties can also make a big impact on your dog’s dental health as a result of your brushing efforts. Brushing your dog’s teeth is important to avoid long-term dental problems. If you take the time to find the right toothpaste, it can be a breeze to provide this kind of care for your pet.
To schedule a teeth cleaning for your dog in East Lansing, call Eastside Animal Hospital at (517) 332-2511!