Puppy Dental Care: Teeth, Teething and Tooth Care

Just like human babies, ​puppies have baby teeth that fall out. Most puppies are born without teeth and go through a process known as puppy teething. From birth to six months, sharp puppy teeth erupt from the gums in the jaw in a predictable timeline. Puppies go through teething stages during the development of their teeth, including sore gums, and eventually—the eruption of 28 baby teeth. During teething, puppies may target all kinds of unexpected objects to gnaw and chew on, like baseboards and shoes, to relieve the discomfort. However, most dogs never outgrow the urge to chew. Pet owners are encouraged to learn about how their puppy's teeth grow in so they can best handle their dog as it ages.

Stages of Puppy Teeth and Teething

Birth to 2 Weeks

When your puppy is born, there are no teeth yet. During the first two weeks, you'll notice your puppy nursing and first opening its eyes.

Weeks 2 to 4

In the front of the mouth, narrow-edged teeth known as incisors will begin to emerge. The incisors are the first to appear at about two to three weeks of age. Puppies have six incisors on both the top and bottom jaw.

Premolars and molars also begin to grow behind canines (the pointed teeth between the incisors and premolars) at three to six weeks of age, with three on the top and bottom of each side. Four needle-like canines appear at age four weeks and frame the incisors, one on each side, top, and bottom.

Weeks 5 to 8

The last molars appear by six to eight weeks of age. At about eight weeks, the puppy’s permanent teeth begin pushing out deciduous or "milk teeth." The roots of the baby teeth are absorbed by the body, and in most cases, milk teeth simply fall out.

When the deciduous teeth don't fall out on time, puppies may appear to have a double set of teeth. Retained baby teeth should be extracted by a veterinarian so that permanent teeth have room to grow. Sometimes, a crowded mouth pushes teeth out of alignment, resulting in difficulty eating or poor dental hygiene (which can lead to periodontal disease).

All of your puppy's 28 baby teeth are expected to come in by this time. This is when puppies start to learn how to eat moist and soft puppy food.

Weeks 12 to 16

Breeders often let their puppies go to their new owners' homes around eight weeks. Baby teeth will begin to shed, and permanent adult teeth will start to come in. This process is painful for dogs, so providing puppy safe chew toys is recommended. This is a good time to socialize your dog more, look and touch the inside and outside of its mouth, and prepare for teeth brushing.

6 Months and Older

At this point, all puppy teeth should be gone, and adult teeth emerge. If there are any baby teeth left, let your vet know so it can be removed. Permanent teeth replace the milk teeth tooth-for-tooth and add four premolars and 10 molars. Most pups will have 42 permanent teeth in place by about seven months of age.

Signs to Keep an Eye on During Teething

While it can vary somewhat between breeds, there is a progression you can expect as your puppy develops new teeth. It's important to begin handling your puppy's mouth while it's young so you can periodically check for any potential tooth problems. Any type of facial swelling, changes in eating habits, unexpected night awakenings, or rubbing of the face are signs of possible oral discomfort.

You'll want to take your pup to the veterinarian if you see:

• Two teeth occupying one spot in your puppy's mouth. This can cause the adult tooth to come in crooked, possibly causing later problems.

• Spots of blood on your dog's toys, brown tartar on the teeth, or gums that are bleeding, inflamed, and/or sore. These are common symptoms of periodontal disease, a large oral issue for dogs.

• Broken or cracked teeth. This can cause the nerve of the tooth to expose itself, causing your dog pain or infection.

• Crooked teeth or malocclusion (misalignment of the upper and lower jaw). While some breeds have a trademark bite, unusual ones could cause chewing issues.

• Loose adult teeth. Most often, this is caused by trauma to the mouth or from gum loss due to advanced periodontal disease. It could also be a sign of illness.

How to Keep Teeth Healthy

Schedule a visit with your veterinarian for an initial dental exam for your puppy. This examination will include a look at the teeth, gums, and oral cavity. Ask your vet to demonstrate how to clean your pup's teeth. This way, you'll know what brushes, toothpaste, and techniques to use.

Get your pup used to the idea of tooth brushing around six months when its adult teeth start to come in. Regular brushing will prevent plaque, stinky breath, disease, and other medical problems. It's ideal to brush your puppy's teeth daily, but once or twice a week will work.

The Purpose of Each Dog Tooth

Different kinds of teeth serve various functions, based on the position of the mouth and the shape of the tooth. With some breeds, the shape of the jaw impacts how each type of tooth functions. Most dogs have V-shaped upper and lower jaws which allow the mouth to be opened very wide for grasping and capturing prey—or grabbing and holding toys during play. There are several ways dogs use their teeth:

• Dogs use their incisors to rip and scrape meat from bones. They also use them as a grooming tool to nibble burrs or dirt from their fur.

• Dogs use their two canine teeth, found on each side of the jaw (on the top and bottom), as pointed daggers to inflict stabbing and slashing wounds.

• Dogs have eight premolars in the upper jaw and another eight in the lower jaw. They also have four molars in the top and six in the bottom. The extra molars are designed to crush and are used to process vegetable foods and bones.

• Dogs have specialized carnassial teeth composed of premolars and molars. As they pass each other during the mouth's closure, these teeth act like scissors. The carnassial teeth are innovations of the carnivorous animal that requires shearing action to process flesh.

What a Proper Bite Looks Like

When the mouth is closed, dogs should have a normal "bite." This is very important so that dogs can eat and use their mouth normally.

A normal bite looks like this:

• The lower canine teeth are situated in front of the upper canines.

• The upper incisors overlap the lower incisors.

• The upper premolar points fit into the spaces between lower premolars.

• The upper carnassial teeth overlap the lower ones.
  

Malocclusion refers to the abnormal "bite" or fitting of these teeth. Malocclusion can be normal for certain dog breeds due to differences in the shape of the jaw and mouth. For instance, the flat-faced (brachycephalic) dog breeds like Bulldogs have a normal malocclusion because their lower jaw is longer than the upper. However, this allows the teeth to fit incorrectly, which can cause mouth damage as the dog chews. Thus, a veterinarian or veterinary dentist with orthodontic correction should be aware of malocclusion.

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Your Dog's Gums and Problems to Watch For

Gums can be an often-overlooked part of a dog’s mouth, but they’re just as important to keep clean and healthy as your dog’s teeth! Below, learn more about what color your dog’s gums should be, gum problems to look out for, and how to help your dog maintain healthy gums.

What Color Should My Dog’s Gums Be?

If you want to know what healthy dog gums look like, look no further than the seafood bar at your local grocery store. Healthy gums should appear shrimp-colored pink and unhealthy gums will appear red and inflamed.

Certain diseases can cause discoloration of the gums. For instance, red, inflamed gums can be a sign of gingivitis. Gingivitis is caused by plaque, which is composed mostly of bacteria. Plaque can accumulate on the tooth surface especially in the space underneath the gum line. Gingivitis is also caused by the body's oral immune system reacting to the plaque bacteria on the teeth.

If your dog’s gums are other colors, that can also be indicative of additional health problems. If the gums are pale or white, that could be a sign of anemia. If the gums are blue that often means that your dog is not getting oxygen. If the gums are yellow in a dog, it can be a sign of Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can cause liver disease, and jaundice, which can also be a sign of liver disease.

Common Gum Problems in Dogs

Another sign of unhealthy gums? Bad breath. Bad breath or especially a sudden worsening of the breath is often associated with worsening of gum disease.

Gum disease is usually caused not by problems with the gums, but by bacteria on the teeth. So to take care of the gums, brush your dog's teeth. The best and most common way to prevent gum disease is to brush their teeth every day using a soft-bristle toothbrush. Brushing aside, you also can use products approved by your vet, such as dental-maintenance chews (we sell OrvoVet Dental Chews—just ask our receptionists!).

Periodontal disease is the most common cause of unhealthy gums, but other diseases such as immune-mediated inflammatory disease, bleeding disorders, gingival enlargements, and even oral cancers can also cause unhealthy gums. Periodontal disease is most common in dogs under 30 pounds. This is due to crowding—small dogs tend to have large teeth in a relatively small mouth.

Read more: Periodontal Disease and Treatment: Dental Scaling

Additionally, breeds like boxers can be prone to gum overgrowth, a benign condition that is genetic in nature. Although the condition itself is benign, it can result in an almost tumor-like overgrowths of gum tissue which can cause pseudopockets in the dog’s gums.

If you can imagine gum tissue growing up and around the tooth, you can imagine it forming this little nook, cranny or pocket between the overgrown gum and the tooth where fur and debris and food can get stuck and subsequently cause bad breath and infection.

Additional Gum Issues to Watch Out For

Younger dogs, and puppies especially, can come down with papillomatosis, or warts of the gums. Signs include the appearance of solitary, clusters, or even hundreds of warts. If you see one or two warts, don’t worry. Those will usually fall off in one to two months. Dogs with an abundance of warts, however, may need to have surgery to remove them.

Over time, the texture of an older dog’s gums can become more cobbled looking. A cobbled texture in and of itself is nothing to fret about, but cobbled gums can be a sign of cancer. Depending on the type of cancer, if the cobbled gums are accompanied by bad breath, oral pain, reluctance or difficulty chewing, and oral bleeding, seek out a vet to examine your pet.

However, rather than fret over textural changes, it's the color of the gums or if they are bleeding or look like they are going to bleed easily to be more concerned about.

Additionally, rough or intense chewing on a toy or a bone can cause gums to bleed. Sharp pieces of the chew toy could temporarily roughen up the gum. If this is the case, this gum condition normally is not a serious issue, unless the bleeding doesn’t stop. If bleeding lasts more than 10 minutes, it is advised to seek emergency treatment.

Bleeding gums could be a sign of oral cancer, kidney failure (high levels of ammonia can accumulate causing ulcerations and gum bleeding), or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (or ITP)—when the immune system destroys platelets so blood doesn’t clot. If a dog consumes rat poison, it also could cause their gums to bleed,

How Can Gum Problems Be Treated?

If you suspect your dog has gum problems, head to the vet. Your veterinarian will perform a complete dental exam under general anesthesia and take dental X-rays to determine the appropriate treatment.

Treatment is based on the results of the exam and X-rays, and may include anything from a good cleaning of the plaque and tartar on the tooth surface to periodontal surgery or even tooth extraction. If other diseases are suspected (like an immune disease or cancer), a gum biopsy can be obtained and observed.

If you suspect your dog already has a dental disease, it’s best to have a vet treat the condition first and then start an at-home gum-care program.

If your pet has a preexisting dental problem that could be associated with oral sensitivity, it may be beyond the point where tooth brushing is going to do any help. It’s just going to irritate the dog. When your pet has a mouthful of healthy teeth left, then is the time to start on a home-care program with tooth brushing!

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Understanding Bad Dog Breath

Bad dog breath is very common and dog owners simply get used to it. But it should not be that way. Most times, canine halitosis is a sign of poor periodontal health.

The term “doggy breath” is normally used in a condescending way to refer to people who have stinky breath. You’d think that this is because a dog always has bad breath, but this really couldn’t be farther from the truth.

What does a dog's stinky breath smell like?

Usually, a dog’s breath is known to stink of fish, poop, urine, acetone, ammonia, sewer, garbage, dead animals, rotting cheese, blood, and other similar smells.

In fact, it is abnormal for a dog’s breath to consistently stink. Bad odors coming from your dog’s mouth are indicative of diseases and disorders. If your dog’s mouth stinks like any of the smells mentioned, it means that they have a problem that needs to be sorted out as soon as possible.

A dog’s breath, just like human breath, should smell of nothing in particular.

Is bad dog breath a symptom or a medical condition?

Stinky dog breath is a symptom as well as a medical condition, depending on what it smells like.

Halitosis is a medical condition where the dog suffers from chronic bad breath due to disease and poor oral hygiene. If a dog’s teeth are not brushed properly, it can lead to plaque and tartar buildup that causes a bad smell.

In some cases, certain specific smells may indicate that something is wrong with the dog’s internal organs. It could be a symptom of something more serious, like tumors or kidney disease.

A study even showed that there seems to be a correlation between bad breath in the human owner and their dog.

Causes for Bad dog Breath

As discussed above, bad dog breath can be a symptom as well as a medical condition. As a condition, bad breath in dogs is caused by a number of factors. The main factor being a lack of oral hygiene for extended periods of time.

Periodontal Disease

Poor oral dental hygiene is the number one cause for stinky dog breath or halitosis in dogs.

Not brushing your dog’s teeth for a long time and not changing toothbrushes regularly could be the root of the problem. They cause a plaque or tartar buildup on the teeth. Over time, this plaque gets so thick it starts to push the teeth away from the gums.

Consequently, this creates more space for bacteria to thrive inside the gums and mouth, resulting in bad breath as well as teeth and gum infections. Cavities, root infections, and a condition called gingivitis are all caused by poor dental hygiene.

By far, most cases of stinky breath and halitosis in dogs can be traced back to poor periodontal health.

Kidney Disease

If your dog’s breath smells strongly of ammonia or urine, it could be a symptom of kidney disease.

The logic behind this is that if the kidneys aren’t functioning properly, urea in the dog’s body isn’t being eliminated. The residual urea remains in the dog’s system for longer than it should and causes an ammonia smell and urine-like breath.

Kidney disease, which causes halitosis, is in fact also caused by periodontal disease. When neglected, dental disorders in dogs can become advanced and cause an overflow of germs and bacteria into the mouth. These get ingested and enter the bloodstream, causing long-term damages to kidneys and liver.

Toxic Plants

If your dog’s breath smells like rotting cheese or toxic fumes, it could mean that they have consumed a poisonous plant.

It’s normal for dogs to be seen chewing and eating plants when they have an upset stomach—it helps them vomit.

However, domestic dogs lack the sense to differentiate poisonous plants from the safe ones and sometimes end up eating the former. This causes an acidic, rancid smell from their mouth. In some cases, the dogs will eliminate the poisonous plant from their system, but sometimes, medical intervention will be needed.

Diabetes

When your dog’s breath smells like chemicals or gives off a whiff of acetone, it’s likely that they are suffering from diabetes. Diabetes can also cause your dog’s breath to smell sickly sweet like your breath smells after drinking very sweet tea.

A diabetic dog lacks insulin. And without insulin, it becomes very difficult for the dogs to break down the sugars that they consume. In order to derive the necessary sugars, the dog’s body starts breaking down fat. This results in the dog’s body going into ketosis, and ketones are a byproduct of this. These ketones smell like acetone causing their breath to smell like chemicals.

This is a very serious disorder and may even cause blindness, dehydration, and weaknesses in the dog. It must be treated with urgency and due care.

Pica and Coprophagia

Pica and coprophagia are eating disorders in dogs when the animals believe inedible items to be food and try and eat them. This is what causes their breath to smell of whatever it is that they have eaten – from paper to poop!

Pica refers to the act of eating objects like shoes, paper, wood, etc. Most dogs tend to eat toys, rocks, wood, and even chew off some fabric. This could be dangerous as they may choke on the small parts.

Coprophagia is more distasteful and refers to a dog’s habit of eating feces, either their own or of other animals. This causes their breath to smell like poop, for obvious reasons. While coprophagia may harm the dogs by causing an infection transmitted via the bacteria and viruses in the fecal matter, it won’t necessarily kill the animal.

Both these disorders are caused by the behavioral traits of the dogs and sometimes by wrong training practices also.

Oral Tumors

Oral tumors or advanced dental diseases that cause an influx of bacteria into the mouth can make the dog’s breath smell like garbage or sewers. It gives off an extremely foul odor. In extreme cases of negligence, these oral tumors may bleed and give off an unpleasant metallic odor due to blood iron content.

Dogs usually develop oral tumors, lesions, and masses, as a result of poor oral hygiene. Over a period of time, negligence of periodontal health causes the gums to deteriorate and finally rot. This causes the teeth to fall out, gums to bleed, and teeth sockets to develop tumors. The rotting flesh and bacteria in the mouth cause the stinky breath in the dogs.

Diet

Vet-approved dog food can also cause bad breath in dogs. Meat, bones, and other food items tend to get stuck in their teeth, causing their mouth to stink. Sometimes, it could just be that the food that is not being digested properly and is giving off a bad smell.

It’s a good idea to speak to your vet about what food to feed the dog. Very dry meals food that is too wet could also be causing the issue. Undigested food could be sending stomach acids and gases up into the mouth and causing a stench. Favor raw feeding or freeze-dried and even human-grade dog foods when possible.

Treatment for Halitosis in Dogs

The treatment of halitosis depends on the severity of the problem and the cause of the condition. One size doesn’t fit all in this case.

Obviously, it is always better to try and eliminate the root cause of the problem instead of finding temporary solutions like dental chew sticks and fresh smelling herbs.

Here’s what to do if your dog’s bad breath problem persists or gets worse.

Dental Cleaning

Most bad breath problems in dogs are due to poor oral hygiene. So the first thing you must do is visit a dog-dentist to get your pet’s teeth cleaned thoroughly.
Get the vet to perform an exhaustive dental and mouth checkup—they’ll look for lesions, tumors, cavities or rotting food inside the mouth.

To get rid of all the plaque that has been building up over a period of time, you may need multiple dental sessions. Speak to your vet about dental hygiene maintenance for your dog. The market is full of innovative products that help you maintain your dog’s dental health with little-to-no effort. Get regular dental follow-ups done until your dog breath smells like nothing.

Vet Treatment

If the stench persists in spite of thorough plaque removal, the root cause could be something else. You’ll have to speak to your vet and get the necessary tests done in order to confirm what the problem is first.

If your dog has a kidney or liver problem or is found with oral lesions and tumors—you must take utmost care and follow the doctor’s instructions carefully.

In such a scenario, your dog’s breath is a telltale sign of how their health is improving.

Dietary Changes

If your dog suffers from coprophagia or pica, it could be that eating feces is a sign of poor nutrition in your dog. Your dog could be relying on feces for the nutrition that they aren’t getting from the food you give them. Find out the root cause and get to it.

If the bad breath is due to certain foods that your dog finds difficult to digest, start making the necessary changes to their diet.

In order to cure bad dog breath, you’ll need to have a lot of patience. Finding the right diet for your dog will require some trial and error.

Incorporate fresh fruits, veggies, and other healthy foods like probiotic yogurt into your dog’s diet. This will not only cleanse the internal system but will also help them keep their teeth clean.

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Benefits and Types of Dog Dental Chews

Dogs can suffer from periodontal (gum) disease just like people, and it’s not something to ignore. Dental problems in dogs can lead to loss of appetite and broken or lost teeth, and it may even damage other organs if bacteria get into the bloodstream through diseased gums.

Professional cleanings and brushing your dog's teeth are great ways to maintain oral health. Dog dental treats and special diets also may provide some oral benefits, but using them comes with precautions.

The Benefits of Dog Dental Treats

Just as with humans, dogs can suffer from oral problems like:

• Bad breath

• Build-up of saliva, bacteria, and food on teeth (plaque)

• A hard yellow or brown residue on teeth (tartar)

• Swollen, bleeding, or irritated gums

• Pain

Improving your pet's teeth and gum health. Dogs that chew actively have less plaque build-up. And some types of dog dental treats and diets can reduce plaque by nearly 70%. How do they do this? Simply the mechanical action of chewing can make a difference. In one study, increasing the diameter of kibble by 50% led to a 42% reduction in tartar. In the same study, coating the products with a substance called polyphosphate further reduced tartar by 55%.

The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) is an organization that evaluates pet products to see if they meet standards for reducing plaque or tartar. Approved foods, treats, and chews must reduce plaque or tartar by at least 10% to achieve the VOHC seal of approval. If a chemical anti-plaque agent is used, it needs to reduce plaque or tartar by at least 20%. To see which products have received the VOHC seal of approval, visit their website.

Reducing bad breath in dogs. It is not uncommon for a dog’s breath to be slightly unpleasant. This is often the result of bacteria build-up in the mouth and can be a sign that your dog needs better dental or gum care. However, it’s not a bad idea to check with your vet to make sure bad breath is not a sign of an underlying medical problem.

In addition to professional cleaning and regular tooth brushing, certain dog treats are also formulated to help improve breath. Hard chew toys may also help. Ask your veterinarian what's best for your pet.

Types of Dog Dental Treats and Diets

A wide variety of dog dental treats and diets make claims of reducing plaque and tartar or improving breath. Some have voluntarily been tested and have received the VOHC seal of approval. Most are available in stores, but some you can only purchase through veterinarians. Here are the main types:

• Rawhide chews. Made from the hides of cows or horses, rawhide chews can reduce plaque and tartar. They come in different sizes and shapes.

• Dental chews, bones, and biscuits. Greenies®, Del Monte Tartar Check® Dog Biscuits, Bright Bites, OraVet® Dental Hygiene Chews, and Vetradent Dog Chews are examples of edible products approved by the VOHC and can be purchased through your veterinarian.

• Dog dental diets. Some dog food formulations help reduce plaque and tartar. They do this in a variety of ways. Some are made into larger kibble or a texture that resists crumbling, which creates a scrubbing action. Others have a special coating that helps prevent bacteria, reduce plaque, or discourage the formation of tartar. Ask your vet about these and special dental diets available only through the veterinary market.

• Dog chew toys. Although not edible, chew toys such as Kong® toys, Plaque Attackers®, or Gumabones® may be a good choice, especially for dogs that chew through edible treats too quickly.

Taking Precautions with Dental Dog Treats

Not all dental dog treats are created equal. Some are more effective or safe than others. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you’re choosing a dental treat for your dog:

Make the right match. Match the treat or toy to your dog’s size, preferences, or personality. For example, aggressive chewers may need a product that is more firm.

Limit edible treats. Depending on the type of edible treat, it may go down too fast to be of much benefit to your dog’s teeth. These treats can also quickly add lots of calories. The general rule is the smaller the dog, the fewer the treats. Ask your vet if you have questions about this.

Avoid hard bones and pigs’ ears. If your dog has diseased teeth, they are likely to break them on hard chews, hard plastic bones, sterilized beef bones, or cow hooves. Fresh bones with meat and cartilage may be easier on the teeth, but should be used with caution because of the risk of bacterial contamination or ingestion of sharp bone fragments by aggressive chewers. Take them away after a few hours, as they become hard and dried out.

Although pigs’ ears are often a favorite of dogs, studies have not shown them to offer any dental benefits. They are also sometimes contaminated with bacteria.

Be careful with compressed chews. Edible treats such as rawhide chews can help with dental health. But some dogs, especially aggressive chewers, consume them too quickly or may swallow pieces whole. This can cause choking or blockages. These products may also be contaminated or cause stomach irritation. Watch your dog while they are consuming these products. If your dog swallows a large chunk, contact your vet. And watch for signs of intestinal upset. Be sure to limit how much your dog - especially a smaller dog - consumes at one time.

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Guide to Brushing Your Pet's Teeth

If you are not paying attention to your pet’s teeth every day, you are neglecting one of the most critical contributors to their overall well-being: home dental care. Help promote oral health with daily brushing.

One of the best weapons in the fight against pet periodontal disease is actually a very simple tool: a toothbrush. Some pet owners giggle, groan or roll their eyes when their veterinarian tells them they should be brushing their pets' teeth. The idea of sticking a bristled brush into the mouth of a dog or cat does seem kind of comical — or a huge hassle. And daily? Who has the time?

Well, suppose you didn't brush your own teeth for several years. Can you imagine how much plaque and tartar would build up on your teeth? Periodontal disease can lead to pain, tooth loss, and bacteria in the mouth can spread to internal organs, which can spell trouble for your pet's health.

One way to help fend off dental disease is to brush your pet’s teeth on a regular basis. While there are a lot of tricks we can teach our pets, brushing their own teeth is not one of them, so that task falls to owners. Take heart, however, because although it may sound like a daunting task, brushing your pet’s teeth is not as hard as you might think.

First Things First

As a member of your family, your pet deserves to receive the same attention to her teeth as you give to your kids’ teeth. Ideally, then, you want to begin dental care when your pet is a youngster.

Starting with a clean slate is also important. If the plaque that builds up on your pet’s teeth is not removed within about 24 to 36 hours after eating, it can harden into tartar. When that happens, your pet needs professional attention to remove it. Before you begin brushing, ask your veterinarian to examine the condition of your pet’s teeth. If necessary, your veterinarian may recommend a professional dental cleaning.

Just as people do, pets should have regular professional cleanings. However, brushing your pet’s teeth at home can also help keep periodontal disease at bay.

Let the Brushing Begin

Veterinarians recommend brushing your pet’s teeth every day. All you need are a toothbrush and pet-friendly toothpaste. Look for a soft-bristled toothbrush with small-diameter nylon bristles. The toothbrush should also be sized appropriately to fit your pet’s mouth. Toothbrushes can be purchased at pet stores, but some of these can be large. For a pet with a smaller mouth, you might try a human pediatric toothbrush, a finger brush or a toothbrush developed specifically for cats, which also works well for small dogs.

It is important to use toothpaste made specifically for animals. Human toothpaste can contain xylitol, a sugar substitute that is toxic to dogs. Even if your toothpaste isn't sugar-free, it can contain foaming agents that can cause stomach upset if swallowed. Plus, you’ll find that toothpaste for pets comes in flavors that appeal to animals, such as beef or chicken.

Teaching your pet to accept toothbrushing should be a gradual process. You may want to start by letting your pet lick the toothpaste off your finger and then graduate to sliding your finger with the toothpaste into your pet’s mouth. Next, substitute a toothbrush for your finger and repeat the same procedure. Each step can be performed on a different day. Make sure to praise your pet at each step, so they associate toothbrushing with a positive experience.

Don't Give Up

Brushing your pet’s teeth may seem like a challenge at first. However, after a few weeks of working with your pet, you will find that brushing their teeth becomes as routine as brushing your own. In the end, helping to protect your pet’s health is worth it.

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