Although many pet dental care misconceptions constantly circulate, the truth is that your four-legged friend requires just as much dental care as you do to maintain good oral hygiene. Although brushing your pet’s teeth can seem like a daunting task, the job is essential for their oral health and wellbeing. By following our Advanced Veterinary Care of Pasco team’s step-by-step guide to brushing your pet’s teeth, you’ll be polishing those pearly whites with ease in no time.

Getting started with brushing your pet’s teeth

Set yourself up for success by preparing appropriately to brush your pet’s teeth. To be successful, you can’t rush this job. Before diving into brushing your pet’s teeth, complete the following tasks:

  • Choose the right toothbrushing tools — Rather than grabbing any old toothbrush and a dollop of your minty toothpaste, purchase the appropriate supplies for pet toothbrushing. Depending on your pet’s size, you may need to use a tiny, child’s toothbrush or finger brush that fits in their mouth. Choose a soft-bristled option to provide a pleasant toothbrushing experience. Rather than using your own toothpaste that contains fluoride, which is toxic to pets, choose a toothpaste specifically designed for pets. Pet-friendly toothpaste comes in enticing poultry, beef, fish, or vanilla mint flavors.
  • Introduce the supplies — Your pet has likely never gotten up close and personal with a toothbrush before, unless they’ve gnawed yours. Let them sniff, lick, and chew their toothbrush to learn that the item isn’t scary. Add a pea-size amount of toothpaste on the brush to help acclimate your pet to the taste and texture.
  • Form a positive association — You want your pet to be excited to have their teeth brushed, or at least to tolerate the task. Make each experience enjoyable by giving your furry pal plenty of treats, praise, and petting to reward them for their cooperation.

Steps for brushing your pet’s teeth

After doing the initial prep work, you can tackle your pet’s toothbrushing task. To leave your furry pal’s teeth pearly white and their breath fresh, follow these steps:

  • Pick the perfect time — Trying to squeeze in your pet’s toothbrushing session while everyone else is also brushing their teeth can be too chaotic and stressful. Rather than tackling your pet’s daily toothbrushing during the morning school rush, set aside time when your house is calm and quiet. You might find the most peace while your kids are doing homework, or after your pet’s evening walk. Use that time wisely to focus fully on brushing your pet’s teeth without interruptions or distractions.
  • Handle your pet’s mouth — People generally don’t handle their pet’s mouth often if they aren’t already brushing their teeth. Rather than launching straight into grabbing your pet’s muzzle, ease into toothbrushing’s necessary handling and restraint techniques. Gently massage your pet’s muzzle and lips to get them used to the sensation, then slide your finger along their teeth and gums before introducing the toothbrush.
  • Brush gently — You may feel tempted to scrub your pet’s teeth vigorously, knowing your time is limited before your pet has had enough of your toothbrushing shenanigans. However, brushing too harshly can damage your pet’s gums and the positive experience you’re trying to create. Use minimal force when brushing your pet’s teeth, as a gentle scrub provides enough abrasive action to remove plaque.
  • Practice patience — Your pet doesn’t understand why toothbrushing is so essential to their health, and they may think you’re trying to play a new game, or that the toothbrush is a deadly weapon. Be patient with your four-legged friend as they learn to accept toothbrushing, and never force them to hold still.
  • Focus on problem areas — Most tartar accumulation occurs on the teeth’s outer surfaces that contact the cheeks, so focus your toothbrushing efforts on these spots. Plus, effectively brushing the inner surfaces of your pet’s teeth can be extremely difficult, so concentrate on the areas you can reach.
  • Stick to a schedule — In a perfect world, you’d brush your pet’s teeth as often as you brush yours. However, life happens, and your furry pal’s toothbrushing routine can fall to the wayside. Strive to brush your pet’s teeth once daily or at least two to three times a week.

Toothbrushing alone isn’t enough to keep your furry pal’s teeth healthy, especially for eradicating tartar from below the gumline. Schedule your pet’s regular oral exams and professional dental cleanings with our Advanced Veterinary Care of Pasco team and preserve your furry pal’s oral health.