Adding toothbrushing to your dog's daily grooming.
| | | | | | Yes, But Which Toothbrush? | | | Adding toothbrushing to your dog's daily grooming. | | | If you're making New Year's resolutions, why not improve your dog's health by adding a daily dental hygiene regimen to your list? Consider the accumulation of plaque that develops on your pet's teeth and eventually hardens under her gum line, bringing bacteria, discomfort, and eventual destabilization of the teeth that can largely be avoided with regular toothbrushing. It makes the decision a no-brainer. Many dogs are fine with the toothbrushing process from the get-go. They enjoy the beef, poultry, and other enticing flavors of canine toothpaste, and they don't mind the extra attention from you, either. But some respond with anything from reluctance to outright distress at any attempt to get near their mouths. If your dog is one of the uncooperative ones, start by simply placing a dab of an enzymatic toothpaste created just for dogs on the toothbrush you will be using nightly. Offering up the toothpaste as a treat without trying any actual brushing might very well adjust her to the idea gradually enough to get her to eventually comply. And it won't harm your pet because unlike toothpaste for people, it doesn't contain fluoride or xylitol, which are toxic to dogs. Making sure the brush you choose is the right one for your particular dog is key. The bristles should be rounded and soft or extra-soft. There are other considerations as well. Here's a rundown of what's available so you can work to match the right brush to your dog. | | | | | | | | | | |
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