How To Brush Your Pet’s Teeth
It's easy to take pet dental health for granted, but doing so could indirectly harm your dog or cat. As with humans, plaque can build up on pets' teeth. Foul-smelling and bacteria-ridden, plaque can harden into tartar, which can cause tooth decay, mouth pain, gum irritation, and eventual tooth loss. Keeping your pet's teeth healthy can help him live longer and improve his quality of life. Here are some tips for brushing your dog or cat's teeth.
Choose a Special Spot for Brushing To Take Place
A new experience can be upsetting for a dog or cat, especially if it involves handling to which your pet is not accustomed. It helps if you choose a place for toothbrushing where your pet already feels comfortable. You can calm your pet further by using a pheromone spray in this area.
Proceed at Your Pet’s Pace
The first step is to help your dog or cat get used to the handling involved in brushing her teeth. Sticking your fingers in your pet's mouth is invasive, and she might find it threatening. Proceed slowly, step by step:
• Start by lightly rubbing the side of your pet's mouth. If your pet remains calm, reward with a treat.
• Gently lift the top lip. Praise and treat for calm behavior.
• Use your other hand to pull away the lower lip. Praise and treat.
• Lightly touch your pet's teeth and gums with your finger. Praise calm behavior and reward with a treat.
Take each step slowly and look for any signs of fear, anxiety, or aggression in your pet. Back up a step or two until your pet is calm again. Don't move on to the next step until your pet is comfortable with the one previously. Reward behaviors you want, but don't reward your pet for acting out of fear or anxiety.
It could take several days, possibly weeks, for your pet to become comfortable with this type of handling. Don't try to rush it, or he may never allow you to brush his teeth.
Reward With High-Value Treats
Positive reinforcement tells your pet when she has done something good, making it more likely that she will repeat the behavior later. Therefore, you should reward your dog or cat with the yummiest treats available. If your pet likes treats that also help clean her teeth, so much the better, but flavor should be the top consideration so that your pet feels rewarded.
Introduce Your Pet to Toothpaste
Once your pet is comfortable with you sticking your fingers in his mouth, the next step is to introduce him to toothpaste. You should only use toothpaste formulated for cats and dogs. The toothpaste you use has ingredients that are toxic to pets, and dogs and cats can't spit it out. Pet toothpaste has no toxic ingredients, so pets can swallow it. It also typically has flavors designed to appeal to cats and dogs.
To introduce your cat or dog to toothpaste, put a little bit on your finger and put your finger in front of your pet's nose and mouth. Don't try to put your finger in his mouth yet. Instead, let him lick the toothpaste off your finger.
Familiarize Your Pet With a Toothbrush
A toothbrush for a dog or cat has to be small enough to fit into her mouth. Some people use toothbrushes intended for infants and toddlers, which is generally fine. There are also pet toothbrushes that fit on the tip of one of your fingers and toothbrushes with specially designed heads to clean both sides of your pet's teeth simultaneously.
After your pet has licked the toothpaste off your fingers, you can hold the toothbrush close to, though not yet inside, her mouth. If she likes the taste of the toothpaste, she will start to form a positive association with the toothbrush. You can further reinforce this association by putting toothpaste on the toothbrush and allowing her to lick it off. Continue to reinforce the behaviors you want with a high-value treat.
Brush a Few Teeth at a Time
Once your pet seems comfortable with both the toothpaste and the toothbrush, you can start putting them together and actually start brushing his teeth. Start with only a few teeth at a time, brushing the upper and lower teeth with a gentle circular motion. Do this for only a few seconds.
As brushing your pet's teeth becomes a daily routine, you can gradually add more teeth and take more time. The goal is to spend at least 30 seconds on each side of the mouth, but again, take your cues from your pet and don't try to push her too hard.
Inspect Your Pet's Mouth
During the acclimation process, inspect your pet's mouth to get a sense of what it looks like at baseline. Every time you brush your pet's teeth, look for unusual symptoms, such as yellow teeth or swollen gums. These are signs of trouble and should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Don't Push Your Pet Too Far
Acclimating your pet to toothbrushing can be a long process that requires patience. However, if your dog or cat still won't let you brush his teeth or resists violently to even the gentlest persuasion, stop your attempts at acclimation and consult your vet. You may need to find some alternative method of cleaning your pet's teeth.
While brushing is best for your pet's dental health, teeth-cleaning chews, treats, or food additives are better than nothing and may be the best you can do.