Brushing Your Dogs Teeth

Brushing your dogs teeth helps to
freshen their breath and improve
health

Brushing your dog's teeth is a great way to promote hygiene in addition to your pet's general grooming. Brushing your canines teeth is something that can be enjoyable for both you and your pet. It will help you feel good as a pet owner and they will often enjoy the massage that comes with brushing. Not only can it be a fun process, but it is also a vital key in keeping your best friend in tip-top shape.

One of the most important reasons to brush your dog's teeth is because dogs are often in close proximity to us. For example, the moment when your dog jumps on you and wants to play, consider that you might look back and be glad that you brushed their teeth. Before you get started, here are a few items that you will want to have on-hand. 

• Toothbrush - They do make toothbrushes just for dogs. With softer bristles, they are gentle on your dog's gums. The longer handles also provide better reach for larger dogs. These are actually quite useful, we have one for our dog at home.

• Toothpaste -  Available in dog-friendly flavors like chicken or beef, specialized toothpaste will be sure to impress your pet. Do not use human toothpaste as it can be bad for dogs. I don't have the study with me, but there are articles out there on this.

• Optional - Chewable breath-freshening treats. These are great to give your dog after the brushing is complete. You can find these, as well as the aforementioned products at either a pet store or for a better deal, look on Amazon. 
  

When brushing your dog's teeth, refrain from being overly aggressive. This may startle your pet and cause them to pull away. If you're relaxed, your dog will be too. Try imagining brushing your own teeth. That way the brushing will be a comfortable experience for your pet. Try brushing in gentle, circular motions, making sure to focus especially on the gum line. That's where plaque lines tend to build and wreak havoc on the mouth. Make sure that you get all the teeth thoroughly and remember to be gentle. 

Once you've finished with the brushing, it's a great idea to provide your pet a treat to reinforce the good behavior of sitting still. In addition to brushing, there are Benefit chew treats that are made to aid in the removal of tartar buildup and freshen breath. Pedigree also makes a similar product called Dentastix, and there is also another one called Dentabites. These types of products in addition to brushing are great at keeping your pet's dental health in the best shape possible. 

"Dog"by Paul-Vincent Roll is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0