How to Clean a Dog's Teeth?
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| How to Clean a Dog's Teeth? |
How to Clean Your Dog's Teeth?
Dental hygiene is as important for dogs as it is for humans. Poor dental hygiene can lead to serious, life-threatening conditions, including damage to the kidneys, liver, and heart muscle.
Studies show that 80% of dogs show signs of gum disease by the age of three. Good care of your dog's teeth will result in more than just sweet-smelling kisses; it will help your dog live a longer, happier, and healthier life.
Fortunately, cleaning your dog's teeth is surprisingly simple, even with a busy schedule. So, no need to worry, read on to learn how to clean your dog's teeth yourself. You can also get all the necessary tools for this from our store.
How to Properly Clean Your Dog's Teeth at Home?
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean your dog's teeth:
Prepare the Right Tools:
Firstly, you'll need some dental care essentials to start cleaning your dog's teeth. Human toothpaste is forbidden because it contains ingredients that can upset your dog's stomach, and it won't tolerate the minty flavor. Instead, canine toothpaste options tend to come in more food-like flavors, such as chicken or beef. To get started, you'll need three items:
Canine Toothpaste: There are various types of dog toothpaste available in stores, and we provide them at BetaHolic. So, do some research to find out which one is best for your dog, taking into consideration its breed, age, and preferred flavor.
Toothbrush: While many toothbrushes specifically designed for dogs are ideal, a children's toothbrush with soft bristles works well too. Many owners also prefer a finger brush, which is a brush attached to a rubber guard that slips over your finger, making it easier to approach your dog with your finger rather than a traditional toothbrush.
Rubber Gloves: These are especially important when using a finger brush and can help protect your hands from saliva, dog toothpaste, and your dog's teeth if it likes the toothpaste flavor a bit too much and decides to bite your hand.
Dog Teeth Cleaning Strategy with a Brush:
Cleaning your dog's teeth is very simple. Most dogs may not understand, especially at first, why you're attempting to put your finger in their mouths. It may take a little convincing and lots of rewards before they get used to it. Nevertheless, there are four basics to aim for in a dog's teeth cleaning routine as follows:
- Cleaning the outer part of the teeth: Unlike humans, you only need to clean your dog's teeth from the outside. Initially, focus on the canines and large cheek teeth where most sticky materials accumulate. Once your dog becomes more cooperative, you should be able to clean its back teeth as well.
- Gum cleaning: Gently brushing the teeth can also help prevent gum diseases.
- Brush in a downward motion: This will be more comfortable for your dog.
- Spend about 30 seconds to a minute on each side: The time spent may vary depending on your dog's cooperation, but there's no need to clean for more than two minutes in general.
Using Chew Toys:
If you're raising a playful dog, it will love playing with chew toys, and you'll love the way they keep your dog busy rather than destroying your shoes. When it comes to keeping your dog busy and entertained, chew toys are one of the best solutions. Providing dogs with a chew toy satisfies their natural chewing instincts, keeps them engaged, and helps improve oral health. Dogs of all ages explore the world with their teeth. For puppies, natural chewing soothes teething pain and keeps adult dogs mentally active. Chewing is a natural way for dogs to clean their teeth, as continuous chewing removes plaque from the teeth. These toys are made from various materials such as plastic, rubber, nylon, and rawhide. They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you're sure to find something that suits your dog.
Give your dog treats:
Giving your dog a treat after teeth cleaning is positive reinforcement. Healthy foods like raw fruits and vegetables provide delicious rewards for your dog's teeth. Chewing on them can also contribute to cleaning your dog's teeth. Apple slices or carrot sticks work well in this case. Of course, there is also a huge range of dental cleaning treats at BetaHolic, from bones to special biscuits, which represent great fun for your dog. Still, you can't always rely on them to clean your dog's teeth.
How often should you clean your dog's teeth?
Many experts recommend cleaning your dog's teeth once a day. We understand that this may seem like a lot to you, but once teeth cleaning becomes a regular part of your routine, it will be as easy as going for a walk. At the very least, try to clean your dog's teeth during bathing and regular grooming times. However, if your dog resists all attempts to clean its teeth, it may be helpful to take them to a specialized veterinarian.
Teeth cleaning is a skill that your dog needs to be trained for, just like any other skill. As with obeying any command, cleaning your dog's teeth will be much easier if you start this training when it's a puppy. Additionally, many puppies naturally tend to nibble on fingers and enjoy having your fingers in their mouths, making it easy to clean their teeth.
If you are using a finger brush, this is also the right time to assist in training the puppy to control biting. Puppies often need feedback to know when a bite is playful or hurtful. If the puppy bites your finger during teeth cleaning with a brush, you can react with exaggerated pain and move away to teach the puppy when to stop.
Ideal toys to alleviate your dog's boredom and clean its teeth from tartar and plaque include dental chew toys.
In conclusion, once you establish a good daily routine, cleaning your dog's teeth at home will become an easy and enjoyable part of your daily life. For more tips on caring for your dog and pets, you can check our blog, where you'll find important topics for your dog's health.