READY to become a master of dog teeth cleaning? Learn how to brush your dog’s teeth in four easy steps:

Repetition is key

Introduce brushing regularly but keep the initial sessions short and stress-free. Ensure your dog is calm before starting and give them praise throughout the cleaning process.

Treats to start: Soak your finger in a liquid your dog loves, like beef stock, and rub it over their teeth to familiarise them with the brushing sensation.

Brushing motion:

After the first few sessions with just the treat, place gauze over your finger and do the same brushing motion, praising your dog the whole time.

Start brushing:

When you feel like your dog is calm and comfortable with the brushing sensation, you can introduce a soft pet-friendly brush with doggy toothpaste. NOTE: Never use human toothpaste as this can cause stomach issues for your pet.

Two ways you can help your dog maintain healthy teeth:

Just like you could consider protecting your wallet against expensive vet bills with pet insurance, so too could you protect your dog’s teeth with preventative measures, such as:

Toys and chews:

Not only do specially designed dental toys provide mental stimulation for your dog, but they help with incidental teeth cleaning. Who knew that cleaning your dog’s teeth could also mean playtime for your pup?

Regular vet check-ups:

Regular dental checks by your vet are essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, particularly as your dog ages. Your vet will also be able to provide treatment options such as a professional scale and polish if your dog already has dental problems.

Dental/periodontal disease might be the most common affliction for pets, but it’s something that can be managed at home if you know how to help keep your dog’s teeth healthy in between regular dental checks by your vet.