Brushing Teeth
Having healthy teeth is vital to having a happy and healthy dog.
Research has found that by the age of 4 every dog has some degree of periodontal disease. We can slow or prevent this disease by brushing our dog’s teeth regularly.
Human tooth paste or baking soda can cause problems for our canine friends, so stopping by the local pet store for some tooth paste specially made for dogs is recommended.
I purchased a sample tube with a finger brush (a sleeve that fit over my index finger with soft bristles on one side) when Kodi was a puppy and introduced him to the experience of having his teeth brushed. He actually enjoys it.
I recently purchased a tube of tooth paste, a long handled double ended tooth brush and another sleeve as a kit similar to this one:
There are a variety of flavors available, such as chicken, liver, beef, bacon and peanut butter. There’s no need to rinse his mouth, as toothpaste formulated for dogs doesn’t require rinsing and is safe to be swallowed.
To brush your dog’s teeth, start by putting some tooth paste on your finger and allow him to taste it. Once he’s tasted the tooth paste, a little on your finger rubbed against his gums gets him used to the feel of something inserted into his mouth.
I found that starting with the finger brush was more comfortable for Kodi, as I wasn’t putting a foreign object into his mouth, but my finger.
Put some toothpaste on the bristles and start in the back of the mouth, working in small circles aiming the bristles up toward the gum line and work forward. Letting him lightly chew on the brush is acceptable, as he’s pressing the bristles along the gum line himself.
Brushing his teeth should take no more than 30 seconds. Brush all the teeth, especially near the gum line where disease starts.
Some veterinarians recommend brushing daily, others indicate that once or twice a week is adequate. I would guess it depends on the time you have available and the co-operation you get from your dog.
It’s suggested that you exercise your dog before brushing, so they are tired and more easily managed. You shouldn’t be wrestling your dog to brush his teeth, it should be a pleasant experience for you both and a healthy treat afterward rewards him for his co-operation.
