The Tackling Anxiety Associated with Pet Dental Care
The anxiety that pet owners experience when trying to brush their pet’s teeth is understandable, and is caused by pet owners trying to brush their pet’s teeth without any experience or preparation. Because of this, Dental care is one of the most important but also most challenging areas of pet care. Hopefully, these suggestions can make the experience more pleasant to all.
Start Slowly
The first pet dental care experience can be stressful, and confusing for owners and pets. Most pets will not be open to you trying to open their mouth and aggressively brush their teeth with a tool. Because of this, it is important to use a more gradual and methodical approach when attempting to brush your pet’s teeth, and this can be done by employing a more systematic approach.
It may make the entire experience a lot more enjoyable and a lot less stressful if you can break the process of brushing a pet’s teeth up into a few different steps. It is also important to practice each step before attempting to move onto the next step. You can practice each step of the process for a week or two before attempting to practice the next step.
- Face and Mouth Contact
- Lifting an Upper Lip
- Touching Gums and Contacts
- Rubbing and Wiping Gums and Contacts with Gauze or a Finger Brush
- Putting Tooth Paste and Brushing for a While
- Brushing Teeth a Few at a Time and Increasing Time
You don’t have to brush for all the teeth at once Keeping your pet for a long training time won’t let you brush for all the teeth at once. Your pet will feel the toothbrush, and you will likely need to keep doing just a finger brush.
Perfect Your Brushing Technique
The right toothbrush will help your pet will be less stressed while getting its first brush. An adult toothbrush will be too big for your pet’s mouth, make sure to buy a brush for pets or a soft brush for kids.
Don’t put too much paste onto the brush. Put only a small amount of paste onto the brush, the less the better. The right toothpaste will also help you. Human toothpaste have some ingredients that may be very bad for your pet.
Tooth brushing should be at a 45-degree angle. Brushing too hard can hit and irritate the gums. This will create anxiety over brushing again. It is normal for people to be afraid of getting their gums hit and bled. Colorado State University James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital mentions that flattened, flared, or fanned bristles may mean you are brushing too hard.
Use Rewards
Rewards can create a positive impact and help them understand that cooperating with brushing teeth can make things more enjoyable. Rewards can be in the form of treats or something else. After a dental session you can give them a:
- Give Praise
- Take Them for a Walk
- Play a Game with Them
- Give them a Toy
- Choose the Right Timing
Pick the Perfect Time
Dental care sessions may be more productive if you schedule them when your furry friend is most likely to be calm, such as after a walk, play time, or a meal. Brush your pet’s teeth in a quiet place far from any distractions. Schedule dental care for the same time every day if possible.
Talk to Your Veterinarian
Should your dog have dental anxiety, you may want to contact your veterinarian about this, as they may have more tools or strategies that may help be brushing your dog’s teeth more tolerable. Dental chews may be suggested as the vet will want to help with this, as brushing teeth are more effective, but these will help reduce plaque and tartar.
Besides your at-home dental care, professional cleaning done yearly by your vet helps your pet avoid problems with their teeth and gums. Professional cleaning removes plaque and tartar build-up above and below the gum line. While brushing helps reduce plaque and slow the formation of tartar build-up, brushing alone cannot prevent the build-up of plaque and tartar. Extreme plaque and tartar build-up cause gum (periodontal) disease that can lead to teeth being lost and painful gum infections, which can spread to your pet’s other organs.
The American Veterinary Medical Association says that, by the age of three, the majority of cats and dogs will suffer from at least some level of gum disease.
Would you like to request a dental cleaning for your pet, or do you have questions about your pet’s dental care? You may contact our office for any dental cleaning and care enquiries or to book an appointment with us.
Sources:
Colorado State University James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital: How to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth, 7/12/2023
American Veterinary Medical Association: Pet Dental Care
PetMD: How to Brush Cat’s Teeth, 6/5/2025
American Kennel Club: How to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth and Why It’s So Important, 6/6/2024
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-brush-dog-teeth/
