Dental care for dogs is important to their overall health. Did you know that almost 50% of dog owners neglect their pet’s teeth? This can lead to serious health problems like infections, cavities, and gum disease, due to bacteria building up in the mouth. This is why it’s important to give them complete dental care. While a qualified Boise Dog Trainer can help you establish a dental care routine, it’s up to you to follow it up at home. Follow the steps below to ensure your dog’s dental health.
Step One: Gather Your Supplies
To begin dental cleaning with your dog, you’ll need to gather the right equipment. You can find most of these in a standard dental kit. These include dental picks, a dental mirror, and a toothbrush. While many veterinarians sell a specific dental cleaning tool, a soft toothbrush, gauze sponge, or even a cotton swab will work in a pinch. Be sure to have some canine toothpaste and water on hand, too. These can be found at most pet stores, but it’s a good idea to check with your local veterinarian for the best brand.
Step Two: Introduce the Flavor
After gathering your supplies, it’s time to get your dog accustomed to them. Be sure to introduce the toothpaste flavor to your dog before beginning your dental routine. To do this, you’ll need a pinch of toothpaste as well as a dab of warm water. Mix them and place the mixture on your finger for an easy way to test it out. This is a good idea if you aren’t sure if they will like the taste or not. Some dogs will refuse the taste but be willing to lick it off of your finger.
You can repeat this for 2- 3 days for them to get accustomed to it. If they don’t lick it off, then you can use a dropper and let them try to lick it from the dropper. If they refuse completely, then you can try a different flavor.
Step Three: Introduce the Motion
To start the dental cleaning, you’ll need to first start using your finger to get them used to the motion of you rubbing their teeth. You do not have to use toothpaste at this point. Simply place your finger in their mouth and use a small circular motion to get them used to the feeling. Repeat this for a few days before adding more steps to the routine.
Step Four: Use The Toothbrush
Once he is comfortable with the circular motion, you can introduce the toothbrush. Place a small amount of toothpaste on the brush and rub it around their teeth for about thirty seconds and then wash off with water. Repeat this every day and slowly increase the time every couple of days by adding five more seconds to each session until you hit a full minute.
Step Five: Keep Feeding Them Good Food
Some people may think that it’s ok to give their dog kibble and then clean their teeth. This isn’t the case. You’re actually supposed to feed your dog a portion of high-quality food, which will include dental care as a part of the ingredients. Look for food that includes ingredients like chicken, salmon, and cheese to help eliminate plaque and tartar buildup. Also, remember that you always want to brush your dog’s teeth after they eat and during their daily brushing session.
Step Six: Make the Session Fun
It’s important to make the session with your dog fun and positive. This will help make them more willing to cooperate, especially if they have never had their teeth cleaned before. You can bring out some of their favorite treats and sneak them into your cleaning session by giving them one for brushing well. Some dogs even enjoy squeaky toys that make a noise when you bite down on them. If they get excited about it, you can bring it out during the session and use it as a reward. Praise them after the session and make it a positive experience so your dog will be a willing participant.
Step Seven: Keep Up With The Cleanings
Once you have started giving your dog dental care, it’s important that you continue with them regularly. It takes time for the plaque and tartar buildup to go away, so if you don’t follow through, then you may never see the results that you’re after. It is also recommended to brush your dog’s teeth at least two times a week to ensure that they are getting good dental health. In addition, if you want to see results sooner, then you can opt for a professional dental cleaning from a vet. They will have the tools that you need to get the job done properly and efficiently.
Things To Watch Out For When Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth
If you are new to brushing your dog’s teeth, then you may want to start slow. If you brush their teeth for the first time and try to do a complete cleaning, you could end up hurting them. So before starting a tooth brushing routine for your dog, it is important to introduce a loose brush or what is called a tooth massage tool. This will prevent any sort of irritation from taking place.
When brushing your dog’s teeth, you need to ensure that you aren’t going too fast on their gums. A slower pace could be beneficial when brushing their teeth. In addition, you need to take your time as well and make sure that you aren’t using too much pressure. It is also important to ensure that you are using the right products when brushing your dog’s teeth. Some dog owners may believe that it is fine to use human toothpaste, but it could cause an allergic reaction in a dog. You should always stick with branded products for your pet or toothpaste that is labeled for dogs only.
Brushing your dog’s teeth is an easy way to improve their general health. Dogs have a tendency to have bad breath and plaque, which can cause gum disease or other dental issues. Brushing your dog’s teeth allows them to have better breath and prevents plaque buildup. It is a good idea to brush your dog’s teeth even though this is only part of proper dental care. You can also visit https://www.momentum-k9.com/ for more about dog grooming.
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