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Fact Sheet
How
do I Brush my Pet's Teeth?
Brushing a pet’s teeth is usually an
easy and fun affair.
First, select a soft-bristled pet toothbrush or finger toothbrush.
You can use a soft-bristled human toothbrush but the pet
toothbrushes are designed with an angle at the head which
makes them much easier to use in animal’s mouth.
Next, obtain a tube of pet toothpaste from your veterinarian.
Do not use human toothpastes on pets because most of these
products contain detergents or fluorides that are not intended
to be swallowed.
Then, select a time of day that will become a convenient
part of your pet's daily routine. Tooth brushing just before
a walk or before a daily treat might encourage your pet to
actually look forward to tooth brushing time. Allow a few
days or maybe a week for the two of you to get used to the
whole process. Keep everything on a fun, positive note. Always
follow each tooth brushing session with loads of praise and
maybe a walk or special.
Start by offering your pet a sniff, then a taste of the
veterinary toothpaste. Next time, let him or her taste the
toothpaste as before, then run your finger along the gums
of the upper teeth. You may need to start by working with
just the incisors – the tiny teeth at the front of the mouth.
In time you should be able to work around to touching all
the teeth. Then repeat this process using the toothbrush.
Concentrate on brushing the teeth near the gum line. If possible,
try to angle the toothbrush so that some of the bristles
just barely go under the gums. Ideally, you should work from
back to front, brushing near the teeth near the gums in small
circles. With a cooperative subject, it should take less
than 60 seconds to brush a pet’s teeth.
Even with the best tooth brushing, most dogs and cats will
still need regular professional teeth cleaning, just like
we humans. Still, the more you can do at home, the less we’ll
have to do in the clinic. By brushing your pet's teeth daily
and restricting the amount of periodontal disease that develops,
you may reduce the frequency, complexity and cost of professional
veterinary dental cleanings and provide your pet with a healthier,
sweeter smile.
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