How to Brush Your Pet's Teeth

betrbowl · Dental Health

The idea of brushing a pet's teeth feels daunting to most Guardians. The reality is that with the right approach and a little patience, most dogs — and some cats — can learn to accept it. Here's how to get there.

The Most Important Thing: Go Slowly

The mistake most Guardians make is moving too fast. Attempting to brush on day one, when your pet has no idea what's happening, sets the whole process back. Think of it as a training exercise with multiple small steps, not a task to complete in one go.

Each step below should feel comfortable and easy before you move to the next. If your pet shows stress — turning away, tensing up, licking their lips repeatedly — slow down and spend more time at the previous step.

Step by Step

Step 1: Get them comfortable with your hands near their mouth

Before any product is involved, simply spend a few days gently touching around your pet's muzzle and lips during calm moments. Pair it with something they love — a treat, praise, or a favourite activity. The goal is that touch near the mouth predicts good things.

Step 2: Introduce the taste of toothpaste

Put a small amount of enzymatic toothpaste on your fingertip and let your pet lick it off. Most pets enjoy the flavour — poultry and beef flavours are popular with dogs, while many cats prefer unflavoured or vanilla mint. Do this for several days until they're enthusiastic about it.

Step 3: Finger on the teeth

Once the toothpaste is accepted, put a small amount on your fingertip and gently run it along the outer surfaces of the front teeth and gum line. Keep it brief — a few seconds is fine. Reward generously afterward.

Step 4: Introduce the brush

Let your pet sniff and lick the toothbrush with toothpaste on it before you try to use it. Then gently touch the bristles to the front teeth — no scrubbing yet. Just contact and reward.

Step 5: Short brushing sessions

Begin brushing the outer surfaces of the canine teeth (the large front fangs) — these are the easiest to access and the most prone to tartar. Use small, gentle circular or back-and-forth motions. Thirty seconds of brushing is enough to start.

Step 6: Work toward the back teeth

The back upper molars accumulate the most tartar and are the most important to reach. With a long-handled angled brush, you can access these without your pet needing to open their mouth wide — the brush slides in from the side.

Tips for Dogs

• Choose a calm moment — after a walk when they're settled, not when they're excited or restless.
• Keep sessions under two minutes, especially early on.
• End every session with something great — a valued treat, play, or affection.
• Consistency beats perfection — three times a week is genuinely effective.

Tips for Cats

• Cats require more patience and often more time to accept the process. This is normal.
• A finger brush is usually better accepted than a long-handled brush.
• Try wrapping them loosely in a towel to reduce squirming — the 'purrito' method.
• Even once or twice a week makes a meaningful difference.
• If brushing is genuinely impossible, enzymatic gel applied with a finger is the next best option.

What If My Pet Won't Accept It?

Some pets — particularly cats, or dogs with a history of mouth sensitivity — may never fully accept brushing. That's okay. Combine whatever level of brushing is possible with water additives, natural chews, and annual veterinary cleaning. The goal is to reduce plaque load, not achieve perfection.