Start Brushing Your Pet's Teeth In 3 Easy Steps

It’s Valentine’s Day! A time to celebrate with flowers, chocolate, and expressions of love.

While everyone else may be making plans for date night, we know that you’re going to be spending the day with your cute companion that has questionable breath. February is National Pet Dental Health Month, so to help you survive the smooches from your dog or cat this year, we’re going to share some very helpful tips on home dental care.

Over 70% of dogs and cats have some form of periodontal disease by the time they are three years old and bad breath is the most common effect. The key to management of gum disease (for humans and pets!) is prevention. Veterinary Dental Specialists say that brushing is the gold standard for keeping our pets’ teeth healthy. However, this is definitely easier said than done, especially if you have never tried to brush their teeth before.

In general, if you are going to start brushing their teeth you first want your dog or cat to get use you touching their mouth. If you don’t give them a chance to warm up to the idea of having their lips and mouth touched, or if they don’t actually like the taste of the toothpaste, odds are they aren’t going to let you brush their teeth ever again.

*Note: If your dog shows any signs of aggression at any point during this process, don’t risk your fingers trying to brush their teeth. It’s not going to be safe for you and it’s definitely not going to be good for your relationship with your pet. Instead, you can explore other options and make sure to schedule professional cleanings every couple years.

Step 1: Gather your supplies
Pick an enzymatic toothpaste that your pet enjoys. Pet toothpaste flavors range from vanilla-mint to beef or poultry. The enzymatic properties in the toothpaste will work on their teeth even after you’re done brushing. Next, choose a toothbrush that you will be comfortable using. For larger dogs, we suggest using a toothbrush with a long handle so you can reach the teeth all the way in the back of their mouths without having your fingers in the way. There are also children’s toothbrushes that work great for small dogs or for the front teeth on big dogs. If you don’t feel like you have enough control over the toothbrush, there are finger brushes that you slip onto the tip of your finger and have a small set of bristles on one side. Most importantly, make sure the brush has soft bristles so they don’t cause pain and discomfort to your pet while brushing.

Step 2: Positive reinforcement
Before jumping into brushing, let your pet get used to you touching their mouth, teeth, and gums. Lift their lips on one side at a time and look at each tooth. Touch their teeth and gums if they let you. Each time they let you touch their mouth, give your pet a reward. Whether it’s a cheerio, a piece of chicken, or a butt scratch, it’s VERY important to make it a positive experience for them! Regularly looking at their mouth will also give you an idea as to where the most plaque and tartar has built up or if there are any changes worth bringing up to the doctor.

Step 3: Introduce the brush
Apply a small amount of toothpaste and let them lick some of it off the brush. After they’ve had a chance to taste the toothpaste, lift their lip with one hand and use the other hand to start brushing. Focus on the back teeth first and work your way from the molars to the large canines. Switch over to the other side making sure to brush along the gums and back to the canine. For the front teeth, just let your pet lick and chew at the remaining toothpaste on the brush.

If you’re more of a visual learner, check out one of our RVTs demonstrating how to brush teeth on our model, Bean!