How Often Should I Brush My Dog’s Teeth?

How often should I brush my dog’s teeth? It’s a question that Dog Owners may never have asked themselves ten years ago. However, more and more scientific evidence comes in to show just how important doggy dental hygiene is. In fact, whether your dog is with you or a local Pet Sitter, it’s crucial to maintain their dental health. With that in mind, it’s about time we all start learning more about dog teeth brushing.

Mad Paws is here to help you navigate the many different views on dog dental care so that you can find the best healthcare routine for your pupper. We’ll talk age, breed, tools, and more so that you can be confident in your dog brushing regimen!

Time to stop asking “how often should I brush my dog’s teeth,” and get right into the swing of it! Let’s get started.

What might your vet say when you ask “How often should I brush my dog’s teeth?”

We’ll just come right out and say it. Your vet wants you to brush your dog’s teeth every day. Yup. That’s right. Daily brushing is the best way to prevent oral disease in your beloved furry friend.

According to leading veterinarian, John Huff, plaque can form on your doggo’s teeth within 24 hours of your last brushing session. That means that if you’re not brushing your dog’s teeth every day, you’re putting them at risk for plaque buildup that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

Some other experts say that when you brush your dog’s teeth everyday as opposed to a few times per week, the practice becomes more habitual and acceptable for your pup. You might also be able to spend a bit less time with each tooth brushing session because you won’t have to work as hard to scrub away the buildup. Plus, if you are able to associate teeth brushing with good things like playtime and treats, your dog should have no problem sitting down to their mini dentist visit daily.

Okay, okay. Daily tooth brushing may not be reasonable for every family. It’s not the end of the world if you miss a day here because life got busy or you’re leaving your doggo with a Pet Sitter for the night. In fact, most veterinarians will say that if you can at least brush your dog’s teeth two to three times per week, you can lower their risk for dental issues later down the line.

So what’s the final verdict for how often I should brush my dog’s teeth? Shoot for daily doggie toothbrushing. It’s only an extra five minutes per day and it will greatly improve your dog’s overall health. As we discussed in our article on Dog Years to Human Years, good dental health can even lengthen the life of your beloved pet.

How often should I brush my dog’s teeth based on breed?

As we’ve established, all dogs can benefit from daily brushing. But, there are some breeds that require extra care when it comes to dental hygiene.

In particular, small dog breeds may suffer more from plaque buildup and tartar formation than large dogs. This is because their small mouths make them more susceptible to teeth crowding. It can be harder to get in those tight spaces to clear out food matter, which can make them more prone to dental diseases.

If you have a small dog, then, daily brushing is key.

Of course, that doesn’t let large dogs off the hook! Some common dental problems that arise with large dogs involve teeth damage due to aggressive chewing behaviours. Daily brushing will allow you to monitor your dog’s dental health and locate any tooth sensitivity.

How can you build healthy dental habits?

Time and patience will be the two most important elements in training your dog to accept tooth brushing. If you force an adult dog to sit still while you poke and prod them with a toothbrush, they’ll run and hide any time they see their dental hygiene tools.

Instead, make sure to introduce the idea of toothbrushing slowly. Find toothpastes that taste like treats, and start with just a few moments at a time. Give lots of treats and verbal praise throughout the process so that your dog sees toothbrushing as a positive experience.

With patience and consistency, your dog may even start to look forward to their daily brushing sessions!

Looking for more dental health habits?

Tooth brushing isn’t the only way to keep your dog’s mouth clean and healthy. Check out our article on How to keep Your Dog’s Teeth Clean to learn more tips on dental hygiene for your pup. From healthy diet tips to exercise and more, there are plenty of ways that you and your dedicated Pet Sitter can improve your dog’s dental health.

And, for our feline friends, read up on how to clean your cat’s teeth, too.

Let us know how you keep your pet’s pearly whites sparkling clean!

Comments

comments