How to Brush a Dog's Teeth

To keep your dog healthy, you must take care of his teeth. One of the most vital steps in this process is to brush his teeth on a regular basis. Since your dog may show signs of stress, you want to perform this task as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Pick a time when your dog is most relaxed. You don't want your dog overly tired or hungry when you brush his teeth. At these times, he may prove irritable and resist the brushing.

2. Buy a flavor of canine toothpaste that he'll enjoy. You may need to try a few different flavors, but many dogs prefer a beef-flavored toothpaste. Find the toothpaste at your local pet store.

3. Use two different sizes of brushes to get at your dog's teeth. You'll need a longer brush to reach the teeth in the back of his mouth and a shorter finger brush for the front teeth.

4. Move up his mouth and work the toothpaste over the teeth. Make sure you get all of the teeth. Work the brushes gently in order to avoid hurting the dog.

5. Permit a drink of water. However, it is not necessary to rinse away the dog toothpaste.

6. Clean your dog's teeth at least weekly. If he has very bad breath, you may want to brush them twice a week.

Tips & Warnings

• If your dog develops tartar, you may need to take him to the vet for a professional cleaning.
• Never brush your dog's teeth with human toothpaste. These toothpastes are not edible and can irritate the dog's stomach.