| ep your dog's teeth clean, a number of steps are | | | | the tip of your finger. But either way, go to your pet |
| necessary. The very first consideration is healthy | | | | store or your vet, and buy a specialized dog |
| food. I can't stress this enough. Healthy, raw food will | | | | toothbrush. |
| reduce, and even eliminate, the need to brush your | | | | Step two is to select an appropriate toothpaste. The |
| dog's teeth. | | | | best pet toothpastes contain enzymes that help |
| But if you do need to brush your dog's teeth, you'll | | | | control plaque. Try to avoid toothpastes with baking |
| need a good dog toothbrush, a good dog | | | | soda, detergents, or salt which are common |
| toothpaste, and an effective method for getting the | | | | ingredients in some brands of human toothpastes. |
| dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste onto your dog's | | | | Fluoride is acceptable, as it helps control bacteria. |
| teeth! | | | | Rather than placing the paste on top of the brush try |
| So what do you need to know about brushing your | | | | to place it between the bristles. This allows the paste |
| dog's teeth? | | | | to spend the most time next to the teeth. So push it |
| Well, first of all, as I said, you need to feed your dog | | | | in! |
| raw, healthy food - raw meat and bones, with some | | | | Step three is to get the brush with paste into your |
| raw vegetables and a little fruit from time to time. If | | | | dog's mouth and all the teeth brushed. Most dogs |
| you feed your dog convenience food, make sure | | | | accept brushing if they are approached in a gentle |
| you feed natural, premium dog food - not the | | | | manner. If you can start when they are young, it's |
| commercial dogfood found in your supermarket or | | | | generally relatively easy, but even older dogs will |
| even dogfood recommended or sold by your vet. | | | | accept the process so long as your approach is |
| If your dog eats healthy, premium, preferably raw | | | | gentle, and you're prepared to persevere. |
| food, then the need for brushing your dog's teeth will | | | | Start off slowly, using a washcloth or piece of gauze |
| be reduced - and quite probably eliminated. | | | | to wipe the teeth, front and back in the same |
| But many people do find that their dog's teeth do | | | | manner you will eventually be using the toothbrush. |
| need brushing regularly (or from time to time). | | | | Do this twice daily for about two weeks and your |
| So how do you brush your dog's teeth? | | | | dog should be familiar with the approach. |
| Step one is to select an appropriate pet toothbrush. | | | | Then take the dog toothbrush, soak it in warm |
| Definitely don't buy a child's toothbrush for this | | | | water and start brushing daily for several days - |
| purpose - they're invariably too hard for dogs. The | | | | without any toothpaste. |
| ideal dog toothbrush will have a long handle, an angled | | | | Finally, once your dog accepts this brushing, you can |
| head to better fit the mouth and extra soft bristles. | | | | add the dog toothpaste, and you're away! |
| Another option is the finger toothbrush that fits over | | | | |