Why brush your dog's teeth?
Dental hygiene is very important in pets. It prevents bad breath and the deposit of dental plaque and tartar on their teeth which can lead to gingivitis, periodontal disease, cavities, dental abscesses among other "celebrations" !
To prevent all these infections and avoid suffering for your companion, nothing could be simpler than brushing his teeth regularly!
Performing this act of hygiene will also help strengthen the relationship between your dog and you, especially if you get him used to brushing his teeth as soon as possible.
How often to brush his teeth?
It is recommended to brush your dog's teeth as often as possible and, ideally, every day. The regularity of brushing is indeed very important to evacuate dental plaque and thus have an action on the prevention of oral problems.
Some dogs are more prone to developing tartar: this is the case for small dogs and brachycephalic dogs whose teeth are quite tight and dogs fed industrial food. In these “at risk” dogs, regular tooth brushing is more necessary than ever.
Which material to choose?
To brush your dog's teeth, you need a toothbrush and dog toothpaste.
It may be a toothbrush for human beings but in this case, take a rather flexible model. You can also opt for a toothbrush specially designed for dogs, available in all pet stores.They usually have a smaller, triangular head and a longer handle to easily reach the back teeth of the mouth.
Finger cots, also on sale in pet stores, do not offer very effective brushing but can be used in young dogs to get them used to brushing.
As for dog toothpaste, these are toothpastes flavored with chicken or beef or any other taste that dogs like. This toothpaste has the advantage of not requiring rinsing and can be swallowed by the dog without danger.
If you don't have dog toothpaste, you can just moisten the toothbrush or replace it with a drop of 33% grapefruit seed extract on the wet brush or powdered propolis powder.
How to brush your dog's teeth?
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and prepare your equipment.
- Put a dab of dog toothpaste on the toothbrush.
- Lift your dog's lip then rub the dog's teeth with the toothbrush, going from top to bottom. Do not press too hard so as not to hurt your dog.
Once the treatment is over, warmly congratulate your dog then reward him so that the experience is always a positive one for him.
In addition to brushing, distribute toys or chew bones to your dog to perfect his oral hygiene.
A matter of habit
To make your dog more cooperative, it is essential to gradually get him used to brushing his teeth as soon as possible. At first, just start having her lick a dab of toothpaste off your finger, then in the next session, run your finger gently over her teeth and gums.You can then replace your finger with a finger cot and then the finger cot with a toothbrush. The important thing is never to rush your dog, to stop the treatment if your dog is not comfortable and to always end with something positive: a treat, a play session or a big hug.