February is National Pet Dental Health Month. You might not give a lot of thought to your pet’s dental hygiene, but it’s more important than you might think. Did you know that:
- Dental disease impacts 89 percent of dogs and 83 percent of cats over 3 years of age;
- Only one in 3 pet owners provides proper dental care for her pet;
- Poor dental health can actually shorten your pet’s life.
With statistics like those, it’s clear we really need to be doing a lot more than talking about our pets’ dental hygiene and focusing on what we can do to make sure they’re getting the absolute best care possible.
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Nobody likes the idea of brushing their dogs’ teeth, and I totally get it. Unless it’s something you started when your dog was very young, introducing tooth brushing can be a real challenge – but it’s not impossible.
Here are a few tips:
- Choose a time when your dog has been well exercised, which will make him a bit more relaxed and maybe a little more willing to sit still and cooperate with tooth brushing.
- Go slow. The first time you try brushing your dog’s teeth might be a bit tricky, and that’s okay. It’s to be expected, and you’re not a failure if your dog puts up a little bit of resistance. If he’s super agitated, take a break. Try again another time. He’ll just need time to get used to it all, and if you’re consistent and you don’t give up, he will.
- Start with a good dog toothbrush. It’s the act of brushing that is most important in this exercise. Using a toothbrush will help to loosen plaque, tartar, and food particles on your dog’s teeth.
- When choosing a toothpaste, of course you’ll want to get something that your dog will like. Trust me, if he enjoys the taste of the toothpaste, he’s going to be far more cooperative than if you’re using something that he doesn’t like.
Whatever you do, don’t use human toothpaste! The fluoride in many commercial people toothpastes can be toxic to dogs, so just don’t do it.
Today I’m sharing my recipe for DIY dog toothpaste, and I think you and your dog both will love it. You’ll find it below.
But first, please note that I highly recommend that you consult your veterinarian in regard to your dog’s health and wellness, especially if you have any questions about using this DIY dog toothpaste.
Other things to keep in mind when it comes to your dog’s dental health:
- Dry dog food is preferable to canned food because it is less likely to stick to your pet’s teeth;
- Some toys and treats are designed to assist with your dog’s dental hygiene. We like Greenies and the Dog Bone Toothbrush;
- See your veterinarian at least every 6 months, and sooner if your dog presents any dental hygiene issues like severe bad breath, broken or chipped teeth, swollen or bleeding gums, or pawing at her mouth or face.
When I’ve shared this recipe in the past, I got several comments about the salt content in the bouillon cubes. Yes, there’s some salt in it but it’s not enough to harm your dog. The point of the bouillon is to give the toothpaste a flavor that your dog will find appetizing, so it really is a necessary – and harmless – part of the recipe.
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp chicken or beef bouillon granules
- 3 T baking soda
- 6 mint leaves, chopped
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
- Mix until it forms a paste.
- Store the finished product in a covered container.
- Use with a wet washcloth or a toothbrush on your dog's teeth and gums.
- Use up to 2-3 times a week.
- Keeps for 7 days on the counter or 2 weeks in the fridge.
- If you keep in the fridge, you will need to let it set out for about 20 on the counter to soften up before using.
Do you brush your dog’s teeth?
I’d love for you to share any tips or tricks that have helped you successfully master this important health care task for your pet. Leave a comment below or stop by my private Facebook group for dog moms and join in the conversation there!
Dachshund Nola says
February 26, 2016 at 8:14 pmI’m going to make this tomorrow! Thanks for sharing!
Christina says
February 26, 2016 at 10:21 pmYou’re welcome! Let me know how your little girl likes it! It’s been a hit with Nike!
KAtelynn says
February 27, 2016 at 1:04 pmIt amazes me how little pet owners know about doggie dental hygiene, starting with me! My family always had dogs when I was growing up, and we literally NEVER did anything with their teeth. It wasn’t until I got my own dog as an adult that I realized the gap in my pet care knowledge. Now it’s a hard habit to build, but I’m trying!
Julie says
February 28, 2016 at 6:49 pmCocoa has always been really good about us getting in her mouth and ears and eyes. Dental health is so important to overall health for us and our pups!! You have so many good recipes for stuff!!
Kimberly Gauthier says
March 1, 2016 at 10:30 amThis is such an easy recipe! I love it. I use coconut oil and a finger brush on our dogs teeth. Because I’ve added raw meaty bones and recreational bones to their diet, their teeth are lovely and clean, but sometimes they get food stuck in their teeth and I’ve learned to brush it out to avoid it rotting in their mouth (not a great smell when dealing with raw meat).
Thanks for sharing this easy recipe.
Kim
caroline says
March 2, 2016 at 5:44 pmThis is SO helpful and easy; thank you! I think I will make it but just leave out the beef / chicken bouillon.
Karolyn Yoakum says
March 9, 2016 at 2:03 pmThanks…. going to give this a try. My one baby has such tiny teeth it is very hard to even rub them with your finger.
Debra says
February 23, 2017 at 7:49 pmThanks for the recipe. We will try it on Gabbys teeth. Love your articles. We sometimes share your posted info on her Facebook page
Christina says
February 24, 2017 at 10:51 amWhat is her Facebook page?
Debra says
February 24, 2017 at 2:20 pmGabbythepitbullcanime
Yes canine is spelled incorrectly so enter the way I have it. Lots of people advise me that!! LOL
Christina says
March 1, 2017 at 2:05 pmI just followed you!
Dee says
May 10, 2017 at 11:46 pmDo you think those finger brushes would be effective for teeth brushing?
Christina says
May 11, 2017 at 11:37 amDee, as long as your dog will let you do it, I’ve found them to be pretty effective.
Bailey says
June 11, 2018 at 3:35 pmThis lasted me for MONTHS! And never went bad, I stored it in a dark cool place (our closet). It really freshens my Golden’s breath, and (unlike a commercial brand or two we tried) he doesn’t hate the flavor! Thank you for this!
Autumn says
July 23, 2018 at 5:50 amPLEASE NO ONE USE THIS! CINNAMON CAN BE EXTREMELY HARMFUL TO YOUR FURRY FRIEND! Go out and spend the extra money on a non-harmful dog toothpaste! Please!
Christina says
July 26, 2018 at 11:23 amAutumn, cinnamon is NOT harmful to dogs. Please don’t come to my blog sharing mis-information. I research everything I share here and would never recommend something that is harmful to pets.
As always, I recommend checking with your veterinarian if you have any questions about what is safe for your dog.
Jade says
July 27, 2018 at 12:43 amNo cinnamon is not harmful to dogs at all and it has anti-inflammatory properties in it that can be very helpful to your dogs gums especially if your dog has any swelling on the gums! You should probably check your facts before you try to make somebody look bad.I think it’s a great recipe for diy dog toothpaste.thank you for sharing your recipe!