advice on brushing teeth?
by Margy S
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Poor Spunky had to have his teeth cleaned at only 2-1/2 and the vet found he needed to have his top two furthest-back teeth extracted. (Not the main chewing teeth, fortunately. The vet said that the ones that were removed are very tiny and are impossible to get to.) Now that the site has healed I have to get serious about brushing his teeth. But the little guy is such a wiggler! I have tried to brush his teeth with the little brush the vet gave me but he chomped down on it and ran away and played with it. The finger brush looks huge for such a little dog. I'd appreciate anyone's experience and advice about getting their dog to accept having its teeth brushed.
DISCUSSION:
Hi,My mom brushed her poodles teeth for years using a piece of gauze with doggie toothpaste on it. I have been doing the same for Snowball since her baby teeth fell out and her breath is clean and fresh and there's no plague build up. Most importantly, she doesn't mind the gauze.
Kathy
Margy, very very slowly! Start by gently rubbing the outside of his cheek frequently. Sometimes slip your finger inside his mouth & just touch his teeth & gums. Gradually after a few days, put a little doggie toothpaste on your finger. At times, lift his lip while touching his teeth. Eventually introduce the brush. We really need only to brush the outside portion of the teeth as the inner side keeps itself clean. If you stay on the outside, he wont be able to bite the brush! How did he get away and run with the brush? Remember, its what YOU want him to do, you're the alpha animal! Perhaps have him "stand", do a little grooming, then brush just one side of his teeth the first few times. Its one of those things that he just has to get used to gradually, no options! :)
BeeGee
Hi, there are different types of toothpaste at your pet store.
look for the ones that say enzyme cleaner or enzymatic cleaner
on them. You don't actually have to brush with these, you just have to get the paste on the teeth. to do this i use my finger. Turbie always has clean teeth when the vet checks.
good luck!
Jade
I may be lucky but Moxy loves to have her teeth brushed with my oral b plaque remover (i touch it very gently to her teeth and gums). When she sees me brush my teeth she starts getting excited. (I think it could also be the beef flavour of the enymatic paste.) I did have to progress from lettign moxy just taste toothpaste to usign my finger to a brush and so on.
patricia and moxy
Bailey hates having his teath brushed as well, it ranks second to having his nails clipped!!! My vet suggested taking the enzyme toothpaste, and nylabone puts out a bone with little spikey (I think it's a gum massager one or something, I threw out the package) and put some toothpaste on the bone, well, now Bailey brushes his own teath with the bone. The only downside is that sometimes the toothpaste gets on the hair around his mouth....at least his teath is clean!
Mary & Bailey
I have one for all of you whose little ones HATE toothbrushing-let them do it by themselves!
I bought a tootbrush-I think it is actually meant for dentures-it has bristles on both sides and is quite sturdy. We made it a toy and now my dog LOVES to chew on it. I have watched him, and he gets his back teeth and gums cleaned much more thoroughly that I can do! (If you need the brand name, let me know and I'll go home and check if out for you.) This toothbrush technique works GREAT for those who don't like you doing their brushing!
Young Jin
Thanks for the advice I've received so far! Last night, after brushing his coat, I began stroking Spunky's cheek and touching his gums. He really seemed to enjoy it! I will move on, slowly, to the paste and a brush but I am already encouraged. I had tried introducing the brush while sitting on the floor, since I don't have a grooming table. I think I will try having him sit on the seat cover in the bathroom.
By the way, his eyes are looking a lot better after the removal of those two teeth and the flushing of his tear ducts.
Margy S
| Please bear in mind when reading topics pertaining to health issues, that most of these questions were answered by helpful Maltese owners with no formal education in veterinary medicine. When in doubt seek a professionals advice. |
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