How to Brush Your Pet’s Teeth

Both dogs and cats have quite different looking teeth to ours that have evolved specifically to suit their individual diets. Carnivores tend to have sharper teeth for ripping meat while strictly herbivore animals will have more wide, flat teeth for stripping leaves from plants.

Dogs will usually have 42 teeth when they are fully grown and as omnivores with a varied diet. They have a variety of both large flat teeth at the back, similar to our own and sharper cutting teeth at the front. They have a total of four different types of teeth, all of which have a specific job to do. The canines are probably the most noticeable teeth your pooch has. They have two elongated, pointed teeth at the top of their mouth and two smaller ones at the bottom.

As dogs have descended from hunting animals, these were the teeth they used to catch and kill prey. They’re large and strong enough to be able to make the initial tears in the meat as well. The smaller teeth along the front of their mouths are incisors and they use these to scrape the bones at the end of their meals and get extra nutrients. They also use these to help with grooming themselves.

The other two types of teeth and pre-molars and molars towards the back of the mouth. Pre-molars are a little sharper and continue to tear and shred the meat they eat while their back molars will chew everything else like any vegetables of their dry biscuits that don’t need any tearing. This is why a varied diet that includes both dried food and chews helps to keep all of their teeth nice and healthy.

Just like humans and dogs, cats have similar types of teeth however the real difference here comes from their strictly carnivorous diet. They still have four different types of teeth however all of these teeth are pointed because they have evolved to eat meat. Cats have on average, 30 teeth and all of their teeth do a similar job to our canine companions except the extra sharpness to them is because cats must eat meat. While dogs are omnivores and can even survive off a vegetarian diet provided they have access to enough plant protein, cats cannot.

A cat’s digestive tract is much shorter than other species because they have evolved to digest protein quickly and effectively. Their sharp teeth all the way back to their molars help to slice and cut through meat to get the digestive process started efficiently.

While there are lots of things we can do to help keep our beloved pet’s teeth nice and clean, nothing is quite as effective as teeth cleaning. Chews and dry food to crunch on can help a lot but the best way is to physically brush them. Teeth brushing helps to remove any plaque buildup. You can physically check their mouth to see where needs the most attention and in the long run, teeth brushing can help you dodge an expensive dental if your pup needs extractions. When not treated, plaque will slowly rot away teeth and cause painful infections that spread through the teeth and into the gums. Signs of dental disease in our pets include bad breath, inflamed gums, reluctance to eat and excessive drooling.

By regularly cleaning their teeth you can help to prevent this while also closely monitoring them to make sure nothing needs a vet’s attention.

There are several different ways to get your pets used to teeth brushing but it can take time with short sessions to build it up. Not only do you need to find a toothbrush that suits your pet’s needs but you also need to be able to keep their teeth clean while you’re building up to brushing their teeth properly.

There are a few different types of toothbrushes you can get for your pooch and what you get will usually be down to your personal preference. A very standard looking brush like the Arm & Hammer Toothpaste & Brush Set is very much like the ones we use. The only real difference is it has two ends for different size dogs so you can be sure it’s a good fit. They are easy to use but can be a bit difficult if you have a wriggly pet. The Johnson's Pet Toothbrush is a type of toothbrush you pop onto the end of your finger which allows for some pup parents to have more control over where they’re brushing. It can be a little more stable with closer contact so useful for the wiggle bums when they’re getting used to teeth brushing.

To get your pooch used to the taste of your chosen toothpaste, you can provide a toy like the Scented Rubber Dental Dog Toy. It will encourage chewing and bridge the gap while you build up to brushing their teeth.

Most pet toothbrushes can be used on both dogs and cats so as long as you get one with a small enough end, they are interchangeable. Cats tend to be a little more suspicious of new things and a bit harder to bribe with food at times. They might benefit from a more gradual introduction to teeth brushing. The Beaphar Soft Finger Toothbrush for Dogs & Cats is ideal for pets who might not be sold on the idea of tooth brushing and need a little time to get used to it. Being so flexible and soft, it can be a little less scary than something rigid. You can even start by running your finger across their teeth to get them accustomed to the sensation before introducing the toothbrush.

While they grow accustomed to the feeling of you touching their teeth, you can add a supplement to their meals to get started on fighting plaque. Broadreach Nature Dental Deep Supplement Powder for Dogs & Cats assists in keeping their teeth and gums healthy so you have less to combat once you’re able to clean their teeth!

For all of your beloved pet’s dental hygiene needs, visit us in store and online. You’ll find a wide selection of toothbrushes and different flavoured toothpastes to suit even the fussiest of fur children.