The Best Dog Plaque Removers

The short answer is yes. In an ideal world, owners would be able to brush their dog’s teeth to keep them nice and clean but it’s difficult when you can’t explain to your pup what’s happening.

For brushing your pooch’s teeth, you can find a variety of different options including different sizes and shapes of toothbrushes to suit every dog’s preference. Some of the easiest to use are ones you slide over your finger so the motions you do essentially feel like you’re rubbing their teeth and you know exactly where you’re cleaning. The Beaphar Finger Dog Toothbrush is an easy to use option. You should be using a pet specific toothpaste like Beaphar Dog & Cat Toothpaste which is perfectly safe for your pup and great for maintaining their oral health. While we might prefer a minty taste, dog toothpaste is usually meat flavoured to make it a more pleasant experience for them.

Getting a dog used to having their teeth brushed is easier to do when they’re a puppy. If you start early and make something normal for them then you’re less likely to have issues later in life. As adults, the learning process and accepting new things can take a little longer but it’s not impossible. By following a few simple steps and giving lots of praise and rewards along the way, you will be scrubbing those gnashers in no time.

Step One: The first step to teaching your pooch to accept having their teeth brushed is to introduce them to a toothbrush. Let them sniff it and get used to it while rewarding any interest or interaction. At this first stage, there should be no pressure to have their teeth cleaned so they can build up a positive association with the brush. While doing this you can also find a nice meaty toothpaste they enjoy so you’re not trying to brush their teeth with something they hate the taste of.

Step Two: Touching around their mouth can be quite a strange sensation when a dog isn’t used to it so the next step is to get them used to having their lips lifted to be able to brush their teeth. This should be an isolated action at first with lots of rewards after. Once comfortable, you can start touching their teeth with your fingers. Again, this should be rewarded lots so that it becomes a positive experience.

Step Three: Now that your pooch is happy with the physical contact with their teeth and the brush separately, you can put them together and begin very short brushing sessions. Start with the canines and easy to reach teeth. Only once they’re happy with these shorter sessions should you build up to cleaning all of their teeth. Some dogs may only ever be comfortable with shorter sessions so you can clean top and bottom teeth on a different day but remember to always give lots of praise and rewards.

Not every dog will love having their teeth cleaned, in fact, some will never get used to it or even allow for you to do it. In those situations, you can still give them ways to keep their teeth clean while not overstepping their boundaries around handling and maintaining your good relationship with them. Dogs that are muzzled for any formal handling like veterinary work are the perfect example of those who may struggle to learn to enjoy teeth brushing but there are other options.

Some diets are specifically made to help with dental health. If you’re considering the type of food you should feed your pup when you want to keep their teeth clean, dry food is the best option. Crunchy biscuits will help to break down some plaque on the surface of the teeth. Diets like Iams Vitality Adult Large Breed Dog Food utilises their crunchy biscuits along with adding tailored minerals to help with dental hygiene and tartar reduction.

In breeds that commonly have dental issues like the Chihuahua, some brands of dog food will make diets targeted especially towards them and their issues. Royal Canin Chihuahua Adult contains calcium chelators to help fight against tooth decay which the breed is especially prone to.

If you want to level up the amount of plaque reduction in their diet, you can add supplements to their food or water to help with it. Proden Plaque Off is a powder made suitable for both dogs and cats that can be added to their diet and prevent the build-up of plaque. Prevention is the best method when it comes to treatment and stopping plaque from building up in the first place can help avoid any expensive vet bills.

Arm & Hammer Coconut Water, Dental Care Additive is great if your pooch isn’t a fan of extra additions to their meals. It can be added to their water to help prevent tartar buildup. When adding anything to your pet’s diet, be sure to monitor them initially to make sure they’re still eating and drinking happily.

If you’ve considered dietary supplements or a change in food and it’s not quite right or if you want some extra plaque-busting power, chews are a great way to encourage dogs to clean their own teeth. The act of chewing really helps to break down plaque and keep them nice and clean.

Pedigree Dentastix Fresh Large Dog are ‘x’ shaped to help get as much tartar from the teeth as possible as they eat it. They don’t just help clean teeth but leave your pooch with nice fresh breath. Whimzees Toothbrush, Dog Dental Chew are tougher, longer-lasting chews for harder chewers that are even shaped like little toothbrushes. They’re made with all natural ingredients so there are no nasties or anything unhealthy.

If you have a dog that loves toys then you can buy toys made for keeping their teeth clean to help reduce any decay. The Scented Rubber Dental Dog Toy is made to smell nice and tasty to encourage chewing. By chewing on nylon chews, they can keep their own teeth clean and you can even spread some peanut butter on the toy to encourage them to start chewing.

Another good option for dogs who love to chew toys with lots of moving parts like this Rufus & Rosie Dental Bamboo Dog Chew Toy. Your four legged friend can really explore different textures and sink their teeth into the rubber ring while chewing on the bamboo pieces attached too.

By offering your pup lots of different teeth cleaning options, you can find out the best one to suit you. For all your plaque removing products and all other dog and puppy essentials, take a look at our wide range of stock in store and online.