How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth

Step one

Pick the right time.

Brush your dog's teeth when they are calm and relaxed. Your goal is to set a routine. Working up to brushing daily is ideal. But if their mouth is healthy, even three days a week can make a difference. Without brushing, plaque can build up, putting your dog at risk for bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay. It can also cause painful infection. Severe infection can spread, causing life-threatening conditions.

Step two

Collect your tools.

You'll want to use a toothbrush made for dogs (pick one up at your next vet visit with us!). The bristles are softer and specially angled. Finger brushes can work well for dogs under 30 pounds. For larger dogs, longer handles can give you better reach. Be sure to use dog toothpaste, too. It comes in dog-friendly flavors like poultry or peanut butter. Never use human toothpaste; it contains ingredients that may hurt your dog's stomach.

Step three

Assume the position for optimal control.

Make sure you're in a spot where your dog is comfortable. Don't stand above your dog, hold them down, or take a threatening stance. Instead, try kneeling or sitting in front of or to the side of them. Gauge your dog's anxiety level. If they seem upset, stop, and try again later. You may need to work on mastering each of the following steps over time.

Step Four

Get them used to you touching their gums.

Test your dog's willingness to have you touch their mouth by rubbing your finger along their upper gums and teeth. This will help their get used to the feel of something against their teeth. Use light pressure. You may need to get their comfortable with this over a few sessions before moving on.

Step Five

Test toothpaste taste and texture.

Put some dog toothpaste on your fingertip. Let your dog lick the toothpaste from your fingertip so that they can get used to the texture and taste.

Step Six

Test toothbrush mouthfeel.

When pup is used to you opening and touching their mouth, start using the toothpaste and toothbrush together. Lift their upper lip.

Step Seven

End on a positive note.

When you're finished brushing your dog's teeth, reward them with their favorite treat or extra attention. Also remember that good dental care doesn't end with brushing. Certain chews and treats can also help you fight plaque buildup. Don't forget to schedule regular professional dental cleanings. Talk with your veterinarian about how often is right for your dog.

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How often should you bathe your dog?

Have you ever watched your pup lick or chew their coat, or even roll around on the ground? These are your pup’s way of keeping clean, but sometimes a little help goes a long way.

How often should you bathe your dog?

It depends. Unless your dog has skins problems, there is no specific need to bathe a dog except to improve their general smell. The recommended routine for dog’s with normal skin is once a month with dog shampoo or baby shampoo. If you want to bathe your dog more often than once a month, use a soap-free or moisturizing shampoo to prevent the skin from becoming dry.

Special shampoos we sell on our shelves:

 

Bathing steps

1. First, brush down your pet to remove all dead hair and mats.

2. Fill a tub or sink with three to four inches of lukewarm water.

3. Use a spray hose, large pitcher, or unbreakable cup to wet down your pet. Take care not to spray or pour water directly in their ears, eyes, or nose.

4. Massage shampoo gently from head to tail. Rinse and repeat as needed.

5. For a thorough dry, give your pet a good rub with a large towel.

Note: For dogs with loose facial skin or wrinkles, clean the folds with damp cotton and dry thoroughly between the folds. This will prevent dirt and bacteria from causing irritation and infection.

No appointment necessary. Walk-ins welcome!

Don’t have time or the space to bathe your pup? We also offer grooming services (baths, nail trims, ear cleanings, and anal gland expression). No appointment necessary. Walk-ins welcome!

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The life threatening veterinary emergency of urinary obstruction and bladder stones

Urinary obstruction can be a life threatening veterinary emergency. This is especially fatal to male cats, where the inability to urinate leads to a rapid buildup of toxic substances that if left untreated can lead to abnormal heart rhythms and death.

What is urinary obstruction?

Urinary obstructions may occur in cats, dogs, and other species such as ferrets. Although males are commonly affected, it can occur in both males and females. Caused typically by bladder stones that are lodged in the urethra, it prevents the passage of urine. It can also be caused by muscle spasms in the urethra, cystitis, mucous plugs, and even certain cancers.

What are the signs of urinary obstruction?

Signs in both dogs and cats are similar. They will often be straining to urinate only to produce only a few drops or no urinate at all. Many animals will appear to be in pain as they attempt to urinate or may vocalize this pain. In cats, it may also cause extreme lethargy, vomiting, or even collapse. Check the litter box for signs of no urine or just a few discolored drops of urine.

What to do if you suspect urinary obstruction?

Left untreated, especially in male cats, can be deemed particularly life threatening. With appropriate and rapid treatment, most pets can be saved. Because it is difficult for owners to differentiate between a urinary obstruction and the less serious condition of a bladder infection, it is advised that you get your pet to the vet as soon as possible for an examination.

How is urinary obstruction treated?

Initial treatment is done by stabilizing the pet, often through intravenous fluids and pain medications. Once stabilized, then they are sedated and a urinary catheter is placed in the urethra to unblock it. Once achieved, your pet will be treated with the appropriate fluids or other medications that are required depending on your pet’s individual condition. The next step is to review why your pet became blocked in the first place. Is it cystitis and will need medical management? Is it bladder stones that will require surgical removal? From that point on, your vet will devise a tailored treatment pertaining to your pet’s current condition.

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Related Articles:

Bladder Stones in Dogs

Related Categories:

dog health, cat health

What Does a Skin Scraping Reveal in Dogs?

As you might know from our article on 5 common dog skin diseases, skin problems and constant scratching from itchiness are common disorders found in dogs and other animals. Finding the reason for the problem is important in order to appropriately approaching an effective treatment or cure.

What’s a skin scraping test?

A skin scraping is a collected sample of skin cells that are evaluated under a microscope. Skin scraping tests are typically performed to aid in diagnosing certain skin inflammations, fungal infections, and skin cancer, along with being an effective way of determining the presence of mites.

What does a skin scraping reveal in dogs?

A skin scraping can reveal the presence of abnormal cells in the superficial layers of the skin. It can reveal certain fungi, bacteria, cancer cells, and parasites. Determining the underlying cause of a skin disorder leads to appropriate treatment.

How are skin scrapings done?

With the use of a scalpel blade, a sample of skin cells are collected. The blade is used to gently scrape layers of the skin, usually until a small amount of blood is seen so that cells that are deep in the skin are gathered. This is important because parasites often live deep in the skin. Once the skin cell sample is collected, it is placed on a microscope slide, mixed with oil, and evaluated under a microscope. Results are typically available within 30 minutes, unless a veterinarian may need a second opinion and it is submitted to an outside lab.

Are skin scrapings painful to dogs?

The level of pain varies from one dog to another and is more likely to cause discomfort rather than pain. Neither sedation nor anesthesia is needed in order to perform a skin scraping. Most dogs tolerate this procedure relatively well.

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