If you are looking for a dog toothbrush, it is because you know that the daily use of this accessory is not only to make your friend even more beautiful than he already is, or to give him a fresh breath. The toothbrush for dogs is in fact essential for our hairy to remain healthy and without problems due to the lack of hygiene.
Some dogs may feel upset when brushing their teeth. Fortunately, the market offers a wide range of products to make our friends feel more comfortable. And besides that, it only takes patience to educate them to let their teeth brush. We will help you with some advice in our guide to the dog toothbrush. Read on if the topic interests you!
The most important things in a nutshell
- There are many diseases resulting from a lack of oral hygiene for a dog. Some, such as gingivitis or periodontitis, can also damage internal organs.
- A dog toothbrush can take many different shapes to fit your pet’s needs. They do not always have the form we know for us humans.
- When buying a toothbrush for your dog you need to take into account some important aspects, such as the shape and, above all, its size. If it doesn’t fit his mouth, it will be impossible to clean his teeth and gums! We will talk more about this in the purchase criteria section.
The best dog toothbrushes on the market: our selection
In this section you can see more clearly what options exist to keep your pet’s smile bright. We have selected the most popular products on the market and added a brief description so that you can know their characteristics and thus evaluate if they can be right for you.
The best set of finger brushes for dogs
Set of 15 BPA-free, therefore non-toxic, soft silicone finger toothbrushes, each approximately 5.5 cm long and 2.5 cm in diameter. It is recommended to use one a month, so it turns out to be a good supply at an affordable price. They are particularly suitable for small dogs, although they can also be ideal not to annoy the older ones who are still not used to it.
The best toy toothbrush for dogs
Among the best-selling dog brushes we find this toy for medium-sized dogs made of natural rubber, therefore non-toxic and ecological, which is also resistant. It has bristles on all four sides and a stable base, to facilitate the grip of the animal and the consequent cleaning of the teeth. It smells mint and is easy to use, just insert the toothpaste in the upper part and leave the toy to the dog for 3/5 minutes.
The best dog brushes with a classic design
Set of 5 different color toothbrushes for dogs with a typical design such as those for men. Made of silicone, they have two parts of different reliefs, for a double massage in the animal’s mouth. Recommended for dogs of all breeds and ages, to be used with toothpaste. Each toothbrush is 14.5 centimeters long, making it easier to access the molar teeth.
Buying Guide: Everything you need to know about the dog toothbrush
Good oral hygiene will make your pet feel healthier. And even more beautiful. But at the same time, it may be that your dog hates brushing his teeth, which is very common. You have to go through a long educational process to get there easily, but the market will help you with a wide variety of products. We also want to support you with the advice in this section.
When buying a toothbrush for your dog, you have to consider your dog’s character. (Source: Mashkova: 94279794 / 123rf.com)
What diseases can my dog contract if he doesn’t use a toothbrush?
Oral hygiene not only helps us keep teeth in the mouth for many more years, but also prevents certain diseases that can come from tooth bacteria. There are several diseases or simple ailments that a dog can contract due to poor hygiene. Below we explain the different possibilities:
- Halitosis: you certainly love to receive “kisses” from your dog, but you like them a little less when you feel its breath. Halitosis is that bad smell that is usually caused by a lack of oral hygiene.
- Chewing problems: the causes may be the pain or weakness of your teeth.
- Gingivitis or bleeding gums: it is a disease characterized by bleeding gums. It occurs because of bacteria and tartar which accumulate due to lack of hygiene.
- Periodontitis: when a gingivitis is left untreated, it can lead to periodontitis, which causes pain and fall of some parts of the dentition.
- Diseases of internal organs: a great lack of oral hygiene can lead to infections in your pet’s body. Veterinarians explain that bacteria in the mouth pass into the bloodstream through the gum tissue. And this means bringing infections to organs such as kidneys, liver or heart.
How do I get my dog to use a toothbrush?
Although a puppy does not need a dog brush, since it does not yet have all the teeth, it is advisable to teach them immediately to clean the teeth, so that when it grows up it is a simple process. If you start using a toothbrush when your dog is older, always remember the technique of rewarding him when he does something right.
In this case with the caresses, not with the beans when he already has his teeth clean, otherwise he would get them dirty again. If you see that you don’t want to get used to it, try another toothbrush or a different type of toothpaste.
An adult dog should brush his teeth at least twice a week. (Source: Lightfieldstudios: 84978621 / 123rf.com)
What process should I follow when I use the toothbrush for my dog?
If what you offer to your dog is a tooth cleaning game, you won’t be able to step into the process that much. However, if you opt for a traditional or finger toothbrush, you will control your friend’s toothbrush. Remember that the mouth has several parts. Here you will see the steps you should follow when your dog gets used to brushing his teeth:
- Hold your muzzle still and start cleaning the canines. Do it with vertical movements and try to get to the gums to clean them, as well as massage them.
- Then move on to the posterior teeth, that is, to the molars and premolars, with circular movements. If you notice that at some point your dog is annoyed, you can avoid the back of his mouth.
- Finish with front or incisor teeth, making vertical and very delicate movements. These are indeed the most sensitive teeth.
- It also always passes on the gums, in all parts of the process. Cleaning them is as important as cleaning their teeth.
- Teeth cleaning is recommended for 3-5 minutes. And to do it at least twice a week.
What else can I use for oral hygiene besides the dog brush?
The toothbrush, in any of its forms, is essential for improving your dog’s smile, even if you use other available products. But if you can include another complement, dental hygiene will be even more efficient. Here is a list of products that can accompany a good toothbrush:
- Toothpaste. Don’t use yours! Not only will your dog not like it, but it can also be toxic to him. You have to buy a specific one for dogs, which among other things have a flavor that they like very much.
- Snacks for cleaning teeth. They are very effective because they have a pleasant taste for the dog. And they can fight the accumulation of plaque, tartar and bad breath.
- Mouthwashes. Of course, the specific ones for dogs, as they will swallow it. Usually they are to be dissolved in water to drink them or otherwise they can be in spray format.
- Healthy nutrition. Make sure your dog’s food and beans are quality. Not only because of its weight, but also because healthy foods will make your mouth less dirty than low-quality products. Unhealthy foods contribute to an increase in tartar.
At first, your dog may be annoyed by the process, but gradually you can get him used to brushing his teeth. (Source: Belchonok: 117037473 / 123rf.com)
Purchase criteria
When buying a toothbrush for your dog, you should keep in mind the different features that this tool can have. If your dog doesn’t like his toothbrush, don’t give up, but look for another type. In the next lines you will know the most important purchase criteria to make a right choice:
Form
What we call a dog toothbrush doesn’t necessarily have to have the same shape as a toothbrush for humans. There are several forms on the market. Some actually look like toothbrushes, while others are games that perform the same function. The third most common type are finger brushes. We describe them better below:
| Form | How to use it | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Toothbrush similar to that for humans | Put the toothpaste on the bristles and grab the toothbrush by running the bristles over your pet’s teeth and gums. | To facilitate the task, they usually have the bristles positioned in different positions and therefore, in one step, they reach different parts. Many dogs don’t accept them easily, but they are very efficient. You can control the action and clean all the teeth. |
| Games | The toothpaste is placed in special holes and the dog is left to play, biting his toy of elastic material for a period of between five and ten minutes. | They are created with strategic holes so that while the dog bites his toy, the teeth and gums are cleaned. If your dog is very brutal when he bites, these games may not last long. And if he doesn’t like playing like this, you won’t be able to get his teeth cleaned. It may be that he only starts licking only the toothpaste you put inside. In this case, you have no control over the cleaning process. |
| Finger brush | It is like a cap that is usually put on the index finger. It has a part with fine bristles and others with some bumps and, once the toothpaste is put on, it is passed on the animal’s teeth and gums. | It is not always easy to use. Also, your dog might bite you unwittingly, because he feels bad or scared and can hurt you. As an advantage, it has two different parts to improve and speed up the cleaning process. You can carefully control the entire cleaning phase of the teeth and gums. |
Dimension
It is of the utmost importance that the dog brush, whatever it is, fits the size of your pet’s mouth. Some manufacturers offer the same product in different sizes. If not specified, be sure to check the overall size and calculate that it is neither too large nor too small for your pet’s teeth.
The toothbrush, in any of its forms, is essential for improving your dog’s smile. (Source: Belchonok: 106514680 / 123rf.com)
Material
That the material is of quality is important for several reasons. On the one hand, it must be a material that is gentle with your pet’s teeth so that it does not harm them. It must also be resistant to withstand possible bites and because, as with the human toothbrush, it must last a few weeks. The material cannot be toxic because it enters the mouth. Here are the most common:
- Rubber: it is a natural material and therefore it is not toxic. It is very flexible and at the same time soft, but also resistant to bites. It is very common for toy type toothbrushes.
- Silicone: The most common material in finger brushes. It is comfortable for people who use it, it is flexible to adapt to the finger and at the same time it is a friend of the dog’s teeth and gums.
- Hard plastic or PVC: It is the most used material for toothbrushes similar to those used by humans. They must have a solid handle to be held firmly and to simplify the cleaning process.
Conclusions
A clean mouth does not only serve to make our dog more beautiful and make us appreciate his ‘kisses’ even more. The oral hygiene of your pet is also essential for him to enjoy good health. Give him quality food and, at least twice a week, pass him a toothbrush.
Don’t give up on the excuse that he doesn’t like it because, as we have seen, dogs have more options than humans to brush their teeth. In addition, you can integrate this process with different elements, such as tooth snacks or favorite taste mouthwashes for your dog loves. Be patient and he will quickly get used to this task.
If you liked our guide, don’t hesitate to share it. And we would love to read your comments on your experience and that of your dog with his toothbrush. We are waiting for you!