Canine Dental Care: Make Dog Tooth Cleaning Part of
Your Regular Routine
We brush our own teeth daily, but sometimes
we forget our dogs need regular tooth cleaning
too. Just like humans, poor dental hygiene can lead to health
problems and tooth decay in our furry friends.
According to Prevention Magazine's
Sep 2005 issue, by the time your dog is three years
old, there is already an 80% chance that he already has some
gum problems due to plaque and tartar buildup. Typical signs
are redness or bleeding gums, bad breath and loose teeth.
Even annual or semi-annual professional cleanings at your
vet's office may not be enough to prevent tooth problems in
your dog. Regular tooth cleaning at home needs to be
part of your dog's grooming program.
Dog Tooth Cleaning at Home
You can prevent some gum or tooth problems
by regularly brushing your dog's teeth at home. Dog
tooth cleaning is not as hard as you think. Dog toothpaste
comes in great flavors like beef and poultry. Once you
get your dog accustomed to feel of the toothbrush and having
his mouth handled, he may actually learn to enjoy the brushing
process.
My dog Molly LOVES
to have her teeth brushed-—no
kidding! Our friends, especially their kids, are quite entertained
when they watch the process. As soon as Molly sees me pull
her toothbrush and dog toothpaste out of the cupboard, she
gets excited. I sit on the couch, she gets "in position"
between my knees and puts her head on my knee.
She loves the taste of both the beef and
poultry-flavored dog toothpastes. Unlike human toothpaste,
dog toothpaste is meant to be swallowed. She likes it so much
that we go through a lot of toothpaste. She licks it as I
brush, so I need a dollop for each side of her mouth. It still
beats the cost of remedial care if she had tooth and gum disease
from lack of canine dental care.
OK, So How Do You Get a Reluctant Dog to Accept Tooth Brushing?
We were lucky in that we started getting
Molly accustomed to tooth cleaning when she was a puppy. Here
are some tips on how we got our dog used to tooth cleaning.
It is not difficult, it just takes a little time and patience.
It will work with adult dogs as well as puppies.
Dog toothbrush (Be sure to get one specially
for dogs with soft bristles. We like the kind with a curved
handle, it is easier to reach the back teeth)
Dental pads (if desired)
Lots of treats to start
1. Get your dog used to having his mouth
handled. Gently hold his muzzle with one hand and stroke
his muzzle with the other hand. Lift his upper lip to expose
his teeth. Give him a tasty treat as a reward. Repeat this
procedure for several days until your dog feels comfortable
with your hands near his mouth.
2. Get your dog used to the toothpaste.
Try putting a dab on your finger and touching it to your dog's
teeth and gums. If your dog balks at this, try dipping your
finger in peanut butter or something else yummy to dogs like
beef or chicken broth, for the first few tries. Then switch
to the dog toothpaste once he seems comfortable. I recommend
the beef or poultry flavor toothpaste versus mint flavored.
Dogs seem to like them better than mint. Praise your dog,
telling him what a good boy he is. Repeat daily for the next
two or three days.
3. Get your dog used to tooth cleaning.
Using plain gauze wrapped around your finger or a dental pad
or sponge, dab on some dog toothpaste and gently wipe your
dog's teeth and gums using a circular motion. Praise your
dog for being good. Repeat this process for the next few days.
4. Ready for real tooth brushing.
Put some toothpaste on your dog's toothbrush. Hold his muzzle
gently and with a finger lift his lip on one side. Gently
brush his teeth using a circular motion, and go all the way
to the gum line. Be sure to get his back teeth too, then add
a little more toothpaste if needed and go on to the other
side.
Try to make your dog's tooth cleaning
a daily habit. If you can't manage to do it daily,
try every other day. It only takes a couple of minutes, you
just have to get in the habit of doing it.
Last, REMEMBER TO MAKE IT FUN and REWARD
YOUR DOG. With a little time and patience, you will soon find
your dog, if not exactly anticipating the tooth cleaning,
at least cooperating. His clean teeth and fresher breath will
be worth the effort.
Suggestions for treats and toys that help keep teeth clean:
Note: These
do not replace brushing!
Petrodex Knotted Dental Chews - patented
formula to keep your dogs teeth and breath fresh
Nylabone NutriDent™ Edible Dental
Brush Chews Dog Treat
Greenies Smart Chew™ Non-Edible
Dental Care Dog Toy
Nylabone Double Action Dental Chew™
Dental Kong
Greenies edible chews (contains chlorophyl
for fresh breath and dogs love them)
You can find a large selection of
dog dental care products at PetSmart
Recommended Sites
Drs. Foster & Smith
is the largest catalog and online seller of pet supplies in the U.S. They feature
high quality pet products for enhancing pet health and well-being. Products include
healthy pet foods, vitamin supplements, pet meds, nutraceuticals, furniture, bedding,
and more, often at lower prices than what you may find in retail pet stores. In
addition to carrying thousands of name-brands, Drs. Foster & Smith have their
own high quality brand name products, all American-made. They offer a 100% Satisfaction
Guarantee – If you're not satisfied with a product you purchase from Drs.
Foster & Smith you can return it for a full refund of the product price –
no questions asked. Save at the Drs. Foster and Smith Flea and Tick Sale! Offer ends 5.12.08! Get Free Ground Shipping on Flea and Tick Products through Dec '08 !
PetSmart.com
is an excellent resource for finding every from the basics like leashes, toys,
flea control, cages and carriers, etc., to stylish clothing for your fashion-conscious
dog. Find merino wool cardigans and coat, fedora hats, polos and even Holiday
costumes. Also, PetSmart offers personalized dog beds, dog feeders and waterers,
a great selection of Kong, Booda and other dog toys, premium dog foods, grooming
supplies and more. PetSmart has a Satisfaction Guaranteed policy and will refund
your credit card on returns within 48 hours of receiving the returned merchandise.
Your credit card transactions are secure under SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), the
industry standard security protocol, and PetSmart has a Safe Shopper Guarantee.
Free shipping on your order of $50 or more
thru Jun 30, 2008. Click for more Special Offers at PetSmart.com
