Part of being a responsible dog owner is caring for your pup's teeth! While many think dogs are virtually indestructible, dental disease is more common than most realize. Several studies show that up to 89 percent of dogs over the age of three will have some component of periodontal disease. Many will start having issues before they even reach three years old!
Dental diseases are serious. Not only do they cause substantial pain, but a lack of proper treatment can lead to severe infections and worsening health problems.
The best way to prevent dental disease in dogs is regular brushing. Veterinarians recommend brushing your pup's teeth three times a week minimum, but most would advise you to brush your dog's teeth as often as you brush your own!
Unfortunately, that's easier said than done. Most dogs aren't keen on the experience, refusing to cooperate despite the importance of brushing for removing plaque and preventing disease. It can be a struggle. Depending on your dog's breed and temperament, it may even be downright dangerous for you!
Luckily, there are ways to get your dog used to the experience. Here are several tips for dogs that hate teeth brushing!
Introduce Mouth Inspections Early On
One of the best things you can do to mitigate issues when brushing is to get your pup used to mouth interactions at an early age. Begin when your pup is just a puppy. They may react negatively and try to nip at your fingers. However, that exposure makes all the difference.
Dogs aren't used to having someone poke and prod in their mouth! It's a bit invasive, so they're naturally fearful of the experience. Expose your dog to those sensations as early as possible. Even if you have an older dog, don't jump into brushing straight away. Instead, do a few exercises to get your furry friend comfortable.
Start by lifting their lips and pressing your finger against their teeth and gums for a few seconds. When your dog doesn't react negatively, reward them. Repeat those touching exercises frequently, increasing how much time you spend poking around your dog's mouth until they don't mind it.
Start with an Easier Cleaning Tool
Once your dog is OK with you interacting with their mouth, you can start cleaning. However, leaving the toothbrush out of the mix is best for now. Try cleaning the teeth with your finger or a dental wipe.
Dental wipes are readily available. While not as effective as full-on brushing, they are perfect for quick touchups and gentle cleaning. The goal here is to start exposing your dog to the sensation of having foreign objects in their mouth.
Your finger is still there, and you have full control of the pressure you apply. As a result, there's some familiarity. However, the dental wipes introduce something new. Use wipes for several days or weeks until your dog cooperates without any issues.
Select the Right Toothpaste
You can add toothpaste to the mix after your dog is comfortable using dental wipes. Always use toothpaste products formulated for dogs. Human toothpastes often contain ingredients that are unsafe for canines. For example, many leading human dental care brands use fluoride and xylitol, both of which are toxic to dogs.
Fortunately, many great dog-friendly toothpastes exist. You can buy products online or in your local pet store. Most have fun flavors that dogs love!
Try finding one your pup is crazy about. Whether peanut butter-flavored or chicken-flavored, choosing a toothpaste your dog enjoys will encourage them to cooperate during a brushing session!
Allow Your Dog to Get Comfortable with the Toothbrush
Now it's time to introduce the toothbrush!
Before you do anything, choose a brush made for canines. Human brushes can be rough. Plus, they're not ergonomic enough to reach far back into your dog's mouth where you need to remove grime!
Stick with long-handled brushes with ultra-soft bristles. You can also try specialty brushes designed to cover each tooth with bristles. However, most vets recommend using a standard brush for better control and more effective cleaning.
Allow your dog to get comfortable with the brush. Introduce it to your pup gently, giving them ample time to sniff around and investigate. Apply the toothpaste you've already been using to show your dog that there's nothing to fear!
If they're comfortable, gently brush your teeth for a few seconds.
Pay Attention to Your Dog's Reaction
Always pay attention to how your dog reacts when you start brushing. Even with ample preparation, the sensation of those bristles can be startling.
Never force your dog or hold their head to force cooperation. Doing so will only serve as negative reinforcement, making your dog fear the experience.
Stop what you're doing if they pull back, growl or show any signs of discomfort.
Work Your Way Up
The key to getting your dog comfortable with tooth brushing is to start slow and work your way up. Use your dog's reactions as a guide. Brush for however long they feel comfortable. If that's only a few seconds, so be it!
Be patient! The more you expose your dog to the experience, the more comfortable they will get. It takes time to work up to a full brushing session, but it's better to take things slow than force things.
Start with shorter brushing sessions and gradually increase the duration. You can focus on frontal teeth like the canines before working your dog up to cooperate with back teeth brushing.
Be Gentle
Always be gentle. The problem with brushing a dog's teeth is that you can't always tell how rough you're being. It's better to err on the side of caution. No amount of hard brushing will make things better or easier for your dog!
Pay attention to the gums. You may see some bleeding if you don't frequently brush your pup's teeth. That's OK, and the issue usually stops after a few minutes. However, you should stop brushing if that bleeding is causing your dog pain.
Use a light hand and take things easy.
Use the Right Techniques
As your dog starts cooperating, focus on your technique. Brush each tooth in circular motions and clean all sides of the tooth to remove plaque. It's also important to work on the gum line.
The gum line is where plaque and tartar accumulate most. Be gentle as you're brushing, but use the right technique to make every brushing session effective.
Provide Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement goes a long way when encouraging cooperation! Give your dog plenty of praise during and after the brushing session. You want to show your dog that cooperating with you leads to great rewards!
When you complete the cleaning, give your dog a treat! Stick with tasty dental treats to maintain fresh breath and that sparkling clean.
Make Brushing a Regular Thing
Make a habit out of brushing. Consistency is key whether you brush your dog's teeth thrice a week or every day. Incorporate it into your dog's routine!
For example, you can brush at the same time every day. Perhaps you choose to do it after your dog finishes its dinner. When teeth brushing becomes part of your pup's routine, they know when to expect it and will be much more willing to cooperate.
Avoid skipping brush days. Not only is that not great for your dog's teeth, but the lack of consistency may also cause your pup to fall into old, uncooperative habits.
Fresh Breath and a Cooperative Dog
Getting a dog to overcome their hatred for teeth brushing can be challenging, but it's doable with a little patience and the right approach. Take things slowly, and be patient with your pup! Try our tips and offer plenty of positive reinforcement to show your dog that brushing their teeth is good.
If you're still having trouble, consider working with a trainer. Professional trainers can guide you in the right direction and make the experience smoother for you and your furry friend.
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