Brushing your dog’s teeth doesn’t have to be a struggle. You can simply work this food habit into your daily care routine for your dog and reap the benefits of caring for their dental health on a regular basis. Dogs can learn to enjoy having their teeth brushed, and they will often embrace this practice as just another part of their daily habits.
Brushing your dog’s teeth is best done as part of a consistent routine, or your dog will not get the benefits that you have been hoping for. However, you might still be uncertain about how often to take care of your dog’s oral health.
If you are ready to learn some more about how often you need to brush your dog’s teeth, you need to keep reading.
Do Dog’s Need Their Teeth Brushed Every Day?
You should consider brushing your dog’s teeth twice a day, just as you would your own. If you cannot make the time to do this twice, once in the morning and once at night, you should at least brush them once a day. Your dog will build up food and bacteria in their mouths just as people do, which means that daily care is essential for good oral health.
This can be a bit challenging if your dog is not a big fan of having their teeth brushed, but most pets learn to accept and even enjoy the process of having their teeth brushed with a little practice. One of the key things that can make a big impact on the toothbrushing experience is having the right toothbrush and the right toothpaste on hand so that your dog does not find this kind of care unpleasant.
Remember that brushing your dog’s teeth every day is a good goal, but it might not be realistic in the beginning when they’re learning about this process. Even if you’re only able to brush your dog’s teeth once a week, in the beginning, that is much better than not doing it at all. Even brushing weekly can make a big difference in your dog’s oral health and prevent lost teeth gum disease, and bad breath.
As your dog gets used to the process, you will be able to increase the frequency with which you brush their teeth without any issues. Dogs are often willing to do anything that you ask of them as long as you seem happy with them for completing the task at hand. Make sure that you keep your toothbrushing sessions positive, and your dog will be more than happy to cooperate in most instances.
How do I Make Toothbrushing Easier for My Dog?
If your dog is not enjoying the toothbrushing process, there are some ways that you can make them happier with this part of their daily routine. This can be particularly challenging if your dog already has some dental issues that cause pain or that used to cause pain, so be patient with your pet as you teach them about toothbrushing.
- Choose a quiet time and place to show your dog all about toothbrushing
- Make sure that you’re not holding on to your dog’s face very tightly because this could hurt them.
- Start out by just rubbing your dog’s teeth and gums with a finger gently and then reward with praise or a treat.
- When you start using the toothbrush, move slowly and calmly so that you do not scare your dog or cause them harm by accident.
- Reward your dog with praise or a treat after each toothbrushing session so that they associate the process with something fun.
One of the other factors that can make the toothbrushing process easier for your dog is getting the right toothbrush and the right toothpaste. Make sure that you consider the size of your dog and get a toothbrush that is the right size for their mouth and make certain that you are buying a toothpaste that is safe for dogs. Human toothpaste is toxic to dogs and must never be used to clean their teeth. There are many companies that make complete sets of toothbrushes and toothpaste that are safe for dogs that you can buy together to get started taking care of your dog’s oral health.
If your dog has oral issues of some kind, a broken tooth, or even gum disease, you probably need to take them to visit the veterinarian before you start brushing their teeth. Your dog may need a complete professional teeth cleaning before you are able to start doing home care because dental conditions that have not been treated can be very painful and can lead to your dog hating having their teeth brushed. Your vet will be able to tell you when it is safe to start home care for your dog’s oral health, especially if they need to have a professional teeth cleaning first.
Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth Regularly is Important
Brushing your dog’s teeth is very important to their overall well-being, and you should not skip this important step in the process of caring for their needs. Even if you can only brush your dog’s teeth once a week, this can go a long way toward making their overall health much better. Dental disease can lead to other health problems like heart conditions and systemic infections, and you will want to avoid these outcomes. Most dogs do not mind having their teeth brushed, and you can easily train your dog to accept and enjoy this process.
Make sure to use the tips in this article to get your dog started with the toothbrushing process in a positive way, and your dog will learn to be fine with having their teeth brushed. Have your goal be to brush your dog’s teeth at least once a day but don’t be too set on this, as it can take some time to get your dog used to the process. Once your dog understands that brushing its teeth is not an uncomfortable process, you’ll be able to increase the frequency with which you provide this care.
Have questions about caring for your dog’s teeth? Call your Eastside Animal Hospital veterinarian at (517) 332-2511!
For a list of approved oral products for dogs see this list put together by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).