Tips for Brushing Your Dogs Teeth
Canine hygiene is essential but is often ignored or forgotten by many pet parents. You might have doggy dental chews, which are helpful, but they just don’t cut if you want to clean your pup’s teeth properly. To help in the prevention of plaque buildup, bad breath, decaying teeth, and gum disease here are some helpful tips on keeping those canines clean!
Starting the teeth cleaning process right
When you decided you’re going to brush, your pup’s teeth make sure it’s in a quiet and calm environment. The last thing you want is your dog getting spooked or overly energized by other things happening in the room. Also when choosing the location make sure you’ll have plenty of light to be able to see well into your furry friend’s mouth. Before even putting the brush near their mouth you should initially begin by touching them by hand. Lift your pooch’s top lid while you feel their teeth and then do the same with their bottom lid. This will allow for a smoother transition.
Toothbrushes and pastes for dogs
You can find a variety of canine toothbrushes at your local pet stores or on various places online. The difference with a doggy toothbrush is they are longer and have curved handles that allow for easier access when trying to clean those molars wat in the back. Also, ensure you’re only using toothpaste made for dogs. Human toothpaste can be toxic to your pup and upset their stomach.
How to properly brush your pups teeth
You’ll want to start by getting them familiar with this new object. Take the toothbrush and use it to touch the front, back, and sides of their teeth on both the top and bottom rows. Remind your dog that this was a good thing and reward them with a treat. You’ll also want to allow your dog to get familiar with the toothpaste. Put a bit of the paste on your finger and let your four-legged friend smell and even lick it off your finger. Now for the actual brushing! Start with the top lid and continue to praise your dog during the process. You’ll want to move farther to their back teeth slowly. Repeat these steps with the bottom row as well. If your dog seems to be doing well with this activity you can try to brush the inside of their teeth, this will be a bit more difficult, but it will make for a cleaner mouth.
Remind your furry friend that brushing is positive
When the whole process is over remember to praise your dog, especially if they handled the process particularly well. You want to remind your pup that this a positive experience they will be rewarded for, so they don’t fear or resist it when it’s time to clean those teeth again. Giving them a treat or just an abundance of verbal praise can go a long way.
Brushing your canine’s teeth can seem tedious at times, but it will benefit your dog’s health exponentially. You’ll also thank yourself for minimizing that stinky dog breath.