Prevent Periodontal Problems: How to Brush Your Pet’s Teeth

Note: If your pet already has visible calculus (the gold-brown stuff) build-up on the teeth, then see your veterinarian for a proper dental assessment, treatment, and prophylaxis right away. Brushing gingivitis, and painful teeth will only cause your pet to “rightfully” reject your idea of tooth brushing!

• Choose the same time and place each day to make a habit of it.
• Brush your teeth, brush pet’s teeth.
• Probably best in evening, in bathroom.
• Small pets can have a mat or pet bed placed on the counter, sit in the bed, get teeth done.
• Use a soft baby toothbrush, or soft pet brush (feel the bristles, make sure is soft.)
• Run the brush under warm-hottish water for a few minutes to super soften the bristles.
• Or use gauze 4×4′s (buy at medical supply store, not chain pharmacy, for best deals.)
• Use “finger brush” if you like it, some find them unfriendly and hard to feel what you are doing.
• Use warm water, or best, dog toothpaste (from pet stores or your vet.)They don’t have to spit; it is nonpoisonous (unlike our toothpaste)
• Note: DO NOT go “all natural” and buy baby toothpaste. Most of it contains the sweetener xylitol which is poisonous to dogs (causes liver failure.) Just because something is safe for babies does not mean it is safe for dogs and cats.
• Have treats or reward like a walk or snuggle ready for 30 seconds after you are done (pets do not connect rewards more than about 30 seconds from the good activity.)
• Talk calmly to your pet and tell them what you are doing as you do it.
• Use a word or short phrase like , “Tooth time!” One client I have uses, “Open your mouth!” every time you brush the teeth. (Some pets will learn to relax and settle into the routine with the words, just as some pets learn to pee on cue when someone consistently says “hurry up!”)
• Feel along the teeth, and run the brush in circles as you would in your mouth.
• Chewing on the brush and squirming is allowed. Head turning is acknowledged, but firmly ask to try again. Only do about 25% of the mouth the first few times, reward briskly and right away. Do not push past panic, calmly take it back a notch, if you have to. Even take it back to “sit” on the spot you assign for tooth brushing and reward that when your pet manages to pull it off.
• Do not let your pet stop the session. If you cannot continue, ask for one last good sit (even for a second), reward it, and then the session is over.
• Build up to calm, longer brushing with treats and pats on the chest under the chin.
• When you are successful, the whole thing should take less than 5 minutes a night!

If you have neglected to teach your pet how to learn, hire a dog trainer to help, schedule a nurse visit at your veterinarian’s if they offer tooth brushing training, or find a video podcast on the subject! It is that important to keep your pet’s teeth healthy!  These same tips work after a deep cleaning and surgery. Preventing further problems will help your pet stay pain-free and live a longer, happier life!