The no brush solution to clean dog's teeth
We all know how important it is to take care of our dog's teeth. Poor oral hygiene can lead to periodontal disease which can affect the kidneys, liver and brain. If left untreated, organs can become permanently damaged and lead to fatality. Scary stuff!
READ: Oral Hygiene and Your Dog's Health
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I get Rocket's teeth professionally cleaned once a year. At home, I occasionally brush his teeth, but I'm not very consistent. I know, I know. I feel bad even typing it. When I do brush his teeth, I use some gauze, dog toothpaste and scrub away. Rocket tolerates it, but he also runs away and hides when he sees the “dental kit” come out. Poor guy!
Related Post: How to brush your dog's teeth
I recently went to see my Veterinarian, and I asked her if there was a way to help clean Rocket's teeth, without actually brushing. I'm so excited to share this super easy, fun and effective way to clean dog's teeth – No brushing required!
If you don't feel like reading about it, check out this short video instead!
Supplies needed:
Rope Toy
Dog-Friendly toothpaste
You can get both the rope toy and dog-friendly toothpaste at your local pet store or online. I use the Nylabone Pet Toothpaste.
It's imperative you use dog-safe toothpaste. Human toothpaste contains ingredients poisonous to dogs and will make them sick very fast.
Read: Toothpaste Poisoning In Dogs
Apply a dab of toothpaste to your finger and rub on the rope toy.
Ready. Set. Play!
Play a game of tug of war with your dog. Encourage them to chew, chomp, and gnaw on the rope.
If your dog is getting too aggressive or starts mouthing you, stop playtime and refresh the “drop it” and “leave it” command.
The rope toy brushes over teeth and massages gums. The tiny strands act like floss to clean hard to reach areas. The toothpaste helps to remove tartar and plaque!
Since you are adding toothpaste to the rope toy, it can get pretty yucky over time. To clean, wash with non-toxic laundry detergent and warm water. Lay flat to dry.
Related Post: How To Naturally Clean Your Dog's Bed
That's it! You will have sparkly white teeth in no time. This game is the perfect addition to your dental routine. Brushing is always best, and should still happen at least once a week, but this game is an excellent alternative to daily brushing. Happy, healthy pup!
*Always supervise your dog when playing with toys to prevent accidental ingestion.
How do you keep your dog's teeth pearly white? Share in the comments below!
Would this work with a kelpie cross staffy the same way?
Hi Roz, I don’t see why it wouldn’t. Good luck! -Elizabeth
Hi, Veterinary nurse here. I noticed you left out one big thing that poor dental hygiene effects—-the heart. The bacteria and infection of the mouth can travel to the heart valves an damage them. We see this a lot 🙁
Thanks, Jane
Hi Jane. Thank you for mentioning this very important point. I think that many dog owners don’t realize how much poor dental hygiene can impact their dog’s health. In addition to daily cleaning, I’m an advocate for a yearly professional cleaning at the vet. My dachshund, Rocket is due for one next month!
Would this work with a purebreed Shih Tzu? Any other alternatives? How about addictive dog toothpaste in their food so when they chew they would chew on the toothpaste as well