Do dogs need to have their teeth brushed?

For happy smiles and a healthy mouth I often recommend tooth brushing. There are some exceptions though.

Just as we do, your dog needs daily attention to keep their mouths clean and free of foul odour producing bacteria and tartar. Being proactive when it comes to your dogs mouth not only makes those close cuddles more pleasant, it also goes a long way to help avoid the hip pocket pain with professional cleaning.

Tooth brushing, when done properly, is a great way to look after your dogs teeth. For it to be effective it needs to be done daily. However, you need to know that it won’t treat an already sore and unhealthy mouth.

Actually, brushing a sore or infected mouth will not only waste your time, it will sadly cause your fur kid unnecessary pain.

This means you need to start before there is a problem, and if there is a problem – only start after that has been treated.

The home care of your dog’s teeth also centres around a balanced, highly digestible diet, chewing and regular veterinary checks. Remember, your pet is unfortunately ageing far more quickly than you and a yearly check-up is only the equivalent of you seeing your doctor around once every seven or so years! This ensures early intervention and prevention of sore, sorry mouths.

Most importantly, your pet’s home-care plan needs to be enjoyable for you and your pet, and tailored to your life. Specific recommendations can only be made after learning more about your situation. It is best to consult a vet for a more thorough analysis on your pups dental needs.