It’s never too late to start brushing your pet’s teeth, but persuading Fluffy and Spike to go along with it can be a challenge. Here are 8 great tips to help you ease your pet into a new part of its daily routine:
- Introduce a brushing program gradually: training your pet for this procedure may take several days or weeks.
- At first, dip your finger into beef bouillon for a dog or tuna water for cats, and rub your finger over the pet’s mouth and teeth.
- Make these initial sessions brief and positive.
- Introduce gauze on your finger with the same beef or tuna flavor and begin rubbing the teeth in a circular motion.
- Before graduating to a soft-bristle toothbrush, put a small amount of pet toothpaste on your finger and allow your pet to taste it.
- Place the toothpaste on the toothbrush and allow your pet to lick the bristles.
- Apply a small dab of toothpaste to a moist toothbrush and begin brushing gently at a 45° angle away from the gumline.
- Do not use a toothpaste designed for people; it contains ingredients that may upset your pet’s stomach.
February is National Pet Dental Health Month.
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Tips reprinted from the Pet Owner’s Guide to Oral Care, available at our clinic.
Hey Littlecreekvet,
This might be off topic, however, The other day I was given a sample of doggy toothpaste, and yesterday I bought a doggy toothbrush from a pet shop to try and try it out. The toothbrush I got has two heads, so you can brush both sides of the teeth at once.
Our dog is 1yr 4 months now, and I’ve recently noticed some dental staining and whiffy breath. We haven’t brushed his teeth before, as he did quite a lot of chewing on toys, treats and we thought it was sufficient.
So, I tried to start brushing yesterday, which was an experience! Needless to say he didnt enjoy it, but I’ve now read up on how to break them in gently.
However, I did notice yesterday that his gums started bleeding a little where I had been able to brush them, on the inside.
Is this just because he hasnt had them done before, or does it mean he has gum disease?
Also should I continue to try to brush them, or go and see the vet?
Cheerio
Since the gums are bleeding, your best bet is to take your dog to the vet for a dental check-up. He or she can determine the cause of the bleeding and recommend an appropriate treatment. Your vet may also recommend an alternative method of cleansing the teeth after meals.
Thank you for writing. 🙂
-Jen
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