How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth - 7 Steps
Did you know that brushing your dog's teeth is an underestimated but important part of your dog's care routine? Those who smile and think that brushing a dog's teeth is really over the top should take a closer look at their →dental health. In fact, nothing prevents →tartar as well as giving those little teeth a scrub every now and then!
Often, brushing your dog's teeth is quicker than you think. If your dog is not used to it from puppyhood, he may resist a bit at first. But with a little practice, you will surely get into a routine quickly!
Step 1: Introduce Your Dog to Toothpaste
Before you even start, you should first get your dog used to brushing his teeth. Most dogs don’t appreciate it when you suddenly start scrubbing with a toothbrush in their mouth.
To do this, put some dog toothpaste on your index finger or the toothbrush and let your dog sniff and lick it comfortably. He can lick it all off because dog toothpaste is, as the name suggests, specially made for dogs and usually has a delicious taste.
Step 2: Get Your Dog Used to Having His Mouth Touched
In the next step, you can start gently touching your dog's mouth. You know your dog best: If he has no problems with it and willingly allows you to open his mouth and touch his teeth, you can move on to the next step.
If your dog is more skeptical, take your time over several days. If your dog starts to growl or clearly signals that he does not like it, you should stop here and leave the dental care to your veterinarian!
Does your dog hate tooth brushing? With our →Denta Powder, you can support your dog's dental health, completely without a toothbrush! Simply mix the Pets Deli Plus Denta Mouth & Tooth Powder into your dog's food. It helps with bad breath, softens tartar, and prevents it.
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Step 3: Dry Runs with Your Finger
If your dog allows you to open his mouth comfortably and willingly, run your index finger over all the teeth several times. Here you can practice how to best open the jaw so that you can reach the upper and lower molars. Even the very back teeth will need to be brushed later.
If your dog is relaxed during this exercise, you can put some toothpaste on your index finger and now perform the dry runs. Again, do not overwhelm your dog. Take your time over several days and give him time to get used to it.
Step 4: Brush Upper Teeth
For most dogs, brushing the upper teeth is easier than brushing the lower jaw's teeth. This is because it is much easier to access the upper jaw's rows of teeth.
Now put some toothpaste on a special dog toothbrush or a finger toothbrush for dogs, let him sniff it briefly, and gently lift the lips. Start by brushing one side, then brush the other side, and finally the front teeth. That should be enough for the beginning.
Step 5: Brush Upper and Lower Teeth
Once your dog is used to you brushing his upper teeth, you can also include the lower ones. Proceed just like you did with the upper jaw: Gently lift the lips and carefully brush all the teeth.
You will notice that the lower teeth are somewhat covered by the upper ones. For this reason, you need to help a bit with your hand and open your dog's mouth slightly. This may take some practice and can be a bit challenging for your dog at first. Alternatively, you can give your dog a tug toy to bite and hold onto while you brush his teeth.
Step 6: Brush the Inside of the Teeth
Almost done! If your dog now allows you to brush the upper and lower teeth well, you can start to include the inner sides. For this, special finger toothbrushes available at pet stores work particularly well.
Step 7: Don't Forget the Reward!
Of course, you should tell your dog how great he is doing throughout the process. Unfortunately, treats in between are rather impractical, but even a "Super" or "You are so brave" lets your four-legged friend know that everything is fine.
After brushing the teeth, you can give your beloved pet a tasty snack, give him a good cuddle, or play a round with him. Depending on what is a great reward and a good conclusion for your four-legged friend!
