Question: Do I need to brush my dog's teeth?
Answer: Did you know that dogs and cats suffer from tartar, gum disease, and tooth decay, just like we do? It is important to clean your dog's teeth at least once a week, or have the veterinarian do it, to prevent tartar build-up and dental problems. A toothless dog is not a very happy dog, and an infection that originates in the gums can spread throughout the body. Please remember to keep your dog's teeth clean.
There are dozens of specially formulated toothpastes for dogs on the market now, as well as a number of toothbrush styles. My preference is the finger brush. Like an infant finger-brush, this is a rubber hood that is placed over your finger, with soft rubber bristles attached to one side. I find my dogs are less inclined to chew the invading object when they know it's my finger, and they all know my finger is not edible, no matter how tasty the toothpaste is. After years of using a finger brush, I'm reluctant to change the routine now, although dogs do get used to a regular plastic toothbrush quickly enough.
