Image: Milli from Unsplash
Did you know, just like us, our cats and dogs need daily tooth brushing to help keep their mouths clean and hygienic? Here are some steps to help you introduce tooth brushing gradually, hopefully leading to a stress-free experience for you and your pet.
Carry out each of these steps for about a week, or until it is well tolerated by your pet. At any point, if a step is not tolerated, stop and try again the next day.
Choose a time of day when your pet is most relaxed: Perhaps this is on an evening when they have been fed and exercised, and the household is settling down for the night.
Introduce touching your pet’s teeth and gums with your finger: Gently lift the top lip up and hold it while you touch the upper gums, then gently pull the bottom lip down and touch the bottom teeth/gums. Praise and reward your pet for tolerating this step.
Touch the toothbrush to the teeth: Gently touch the front, side, and back teeth on the top and bottom. Praise and reward your pet for tolerating this step.
Introduce the toothpaste: Start by showing your pet the toothpaste and letting them lick it from your finger.
Introduce tooth brushing to the upper teeth: Gently hold the upper lip up. Start with the front teeth; brush in circular motions, focusing on the area where the teeth and gums meet. Praise and reward your pet for tolerating this step.
Brush the upper back teeth: Start with the front teeth as before, then move further back along the top teeth inside your pet's upper lip until you reach the back teeth. You can use a finger to gently pull the lips back. Praise and reward your pet for tolerating this step.
Introduce brushing the bottom teeth: Gently hold down the bottom lip and brush the bottom teeth at the front of their mouth. Praise and reward your pet for tolerating this step.
Brush the lower back teeth: Start with the front teeth, as before, then move further back along the bottom teeth until you reach the back teeth. You can use a finger to gently pull the lips back. Praise and reward your pet for tolerating this step.
Brushing the inside of the teeth: If your pet is tolerating tooth brushing, you can brush both the outside and inside of the teeth when you are brushing. The inside of the teeth will be a little harder to brush, so, if necessary, work on adding this step after your pet is calm when the outsides of the upper and lower teeth are being brushed.
Image: Kim Davies from Unsplash
Praise and treats: Getting their teeth brushed is unnatural for cats and dogs. To make this a positive experience, frequently praise your pet. You can also give your pet a treat at each step. This seems counterintuitive because you are cleaning the teeth and then giving some food. However, the initial goal is teaching the skill, and later you can work on removing food from the equation.
Don’t forget that free dental checks with one of our vets or nurses is available to all Coquet Vets clients, so call us today on 01665 252 250 to get your pet's mouth checked.
