5 Ways to Introduce Dog Dental Care at Home

on March 28, 2022

Oral health is vital for your pet’s health. But it’s not always the easiest thing to do. Your dog may not want a tooth brushing. We may struggle with it. And what do you do if your dog doesn’t like dental care?

In this article we will take a quick look at dental care for dogs, including how to introduce smoother, easier care at home.

The Importance of Dog Dental Care

Alight, so no guilt trip here or anything, but why is dental care so important for dogs?

For starters, poor oral health can cause lots of pain and discomfort. Neglect adds up over time and makes it harder and more difficult to handle!

Dental disease can cause:

  • Bad breath
  • Loose teeth
  • Broken teeth
  • Bleeding/tender gums (gingivitis)
  • Drooling
  • Pain when eating/refusal to eat

What’s more, dental disease can lead to other chronic illnesses in dogs, just like it does in humans. We’re talking kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, that sort of thing, all because of the spread of oral bacteria.

Okay, so that’s the scary part, which can also provide some added motivation: good dog dental care can improve the health and life of your pet!

Here’s what to do about it.

1. Start Dental Care Early

The sooner you introduce regular dental care, the better. If you’ve got a puppy, go ahead right away and introduce good dental chew toys. 

Be sure to use a pet-specific toothpaste and toothbrush. Toothpaste for humans may contain ingredients which may be harmful or toxic to dogs, like xylitol (which is a tooth-strengthening sweetener for humans).

You want the toys to be fun, the toothpaste to taste good, and the toothbrush to also be like a toy.

If you start with care early on, it’s easier to maintain.

2. Repeat Often

Alright, so maybe you didn’t start your dog dental care when you first brought home your rescue or your puppy. It’s never too late!

The important thing is to make dental care a daily practice. Start dental hygiene for dogs gradiently (more on that later). But be sure to repeat often!

3. Create Calm to Build Up Dental Care

When it comes to introducing dog dental care, it’s important to create a sense of calm. 

Choose a specific environment for dental care. 

Your dog needs positivity, so give plenty of praise for good behavior. 

Start slowly. Be gentle. No matter the age of your dog when you start dental care, you might not be able to actually brush all of your pet’s teeth, particularly at first. You don’t want to frighten your dog, or get hurt. 

But with a consistent, gentle plan, built up little by little, you will likely be able to eventually do regular, full mouth cleanings.

4. Make Sure it’s Yummy and Fun!

Dog dental chews make a great introduction to regular dental care. 

Chews can be overused! That’s where you want to be sure your dog has good dental toys also. But a yummy, safe dental treat serves several purposes:

  • Freshens breath
  • Cleans teeth between cleanings
  • Enhances oral and even gut health with pet-friendly ingredients

At Bad Dog, our CBD Fresh Breath Biscuits help boost dental care and doggy well-being in the form of a yummy reward.

5. Get Professional Assistance

Treats are not a substitute for professional dental care. What’s more, some dogs just never will submit to at-home dental care. You can provide dental treats and toys, but might not be able to get near your pet with a doggy toothbrush. You might add mint drops to water, but be unable to freshen your dog’s breath.

At such times, it’s good to seek professional assistance. Some dog groomers will do basic maintenance. But for annual cleanings, you need a veterinarian.

Bad Dog Helps Your Good Dog

At Bad Dog we understand the challenges of good oral hygiene for our beloved fur babies. That’s why we’ve specially formulated our treats for the needs of your good dog. Check out our online store to find the treats to get you started rewarding good behavior with calming CBD-infused treats. 

Hip & Joint with CBD Tincture

$27.74$36.99

Hip & Joint for Dogs Tincture

$14.99$19.99