Brushing dogs' teeth: the right way to do it
Tartar is not uncommon in dogs. In order to protect your furry friend in the long term from painful inflammations in the mouth or even more serious diseases of the organs, two things in particular are needed: regular dental care and an annual check-up by a vet.
You can find out how to get your dog used to brushing his teeth and how to brush them properly in our tips & tricks on dental care.
This is how it works: Brushing your dog's teeth properly
- Day 1: Touch the right and left cheek pouch 1x with your finger.
- Day 2: Touch the right and left cheek pouches twice with your finger.
- Day 3 to day x: Increase the repetitions until you reach all the teeth with your finger, especially the back molars.
- Lastly, the front incisors.
Step 2: Once your dog is used to being touched, he gets to know the toothbrush (without toothpaste at the beginning). Moisten the toothbrush beforehand.
- Day 1: Run the toothbrush into both cheek pockets once each.
- Day 2: brush twice in each cheek pocket.
- Day 3 to day x: Increase the repetitions until you reach all teeth with the toothbrush, especially the back molars.
- The last teeth to be brushed are the front incisors.
Step 3: Regular dental care
- Apply the toothpaste and brush your dog's teeth once a day.
- Brush the outside of the teeth first. If this works well, you can also try brushing the teeth on the inside. This is a little more difficult, but very important, especially for smaller breeds.
Tip: Brushing your dog's teeth is a matter of getting used to it.
Get your dog used to the procedure when he is still a puppy, for example by gently massaging his gums.
Do the taste test and let your puppy sniff the toothpaste first. The next day, put a little toothpaste on your finger, gently pull up your puppy's lips with your other hand and run your finger over his teeth and gums.
Keep at it is the motto!
Even children can dislike brushing their teeth at first. Don't give up - in time your pup will get used to the toothbrush. Your patience will pay off, because healthy dog teeth mean less pain for your pet, less bad breath and lower vet bills.
