How to brush your dog's teeth at home (and your cat's)

Brushing at home is the simplest way to stop plaque building up on your dog's teeth, and it works the same way for cats. Start with a few seconds a day, use a toothpaste made for pets, and pick a tool your pet will actually let into their mouth. Here is how to get there, step by step.

Why brushing matters

Every day, a soft film called plaque builds up on the teeth. Left alone, it hardens into tartar, the yellow or brown crust you may spot near the gum line. Tartar does not brush off, so once it is there, your vet has to deal with it.

Plaque and tartar are a common cause of bad breath and sore gums. Brushing removes plaque while it is still soft, which is why a little, often, beats a big clean once in a while.

Before you start

Take a quick look in their mouth first. If the gums look red or bleed, or your pet flinches when you touch them, see your vet before you start brushing. Brushing a sore mouth hurts, and it teaches them to dread the brush.

Pick a calm moment, such as after a walk or a play session, when they are happy to settle.

How to start, step by step

1. Days 1 and 2: the taste. Let them lick a little pet toothpaste off your finger, and praise them.
2. Days 3 and 4: lift the lip. Gently lift the upper lip and rub your finger along the front teeth for a few seconds.
3. Days 5 to 7: add the tool. Let them lick toothpaste off the brush, then brush the front teeth in small circles at the gum line.
4. Week 2: work back. Move on to the long canine teeth, then the back teeth, adding a few each day. Focus on the outside surfaces, where plaque gathers most.
5. Keep it short. Once they are used to it, aim for about 30 seconds a side, and stop while they are still calm.

Go at your pet's pace. If they pull away, go back a step the next day. Plenty of pets take a few weeks to settle into it, and that is normal.

Brushing a cat

The steps are the same, just slower and shorter. A cat's mouth is small, so a finger brush or a small brush head is easier to fit. If your cat is calmer wrapped loosely in a towel, try that, and stop at the first sign of stress.

Which tool suits your pet?

There is no single best tool: the right one is the one your pet will tolerate. Every option below is made for both dogs and cats.

Finger brushes and cots

Most pets accept a finger more readily than a brush, and you can feel exactly how hard you are pressing. The 360 Degree Silicone Finger Toothbrush is soft food-grade silicone with bristles that wrap your whole fingertip, so you clean both sides of a tooth in one stroke. The paw tab gives you something to grip when you pull it off.

The Clear Silicone Finger Toothbrush comes on its own or with a storage tube (the Box And Brush options). The cotton Finger Toothbrush Cots cover two fingers for steadier pressure, and their textured weave adds friction as you rub. They are meant to be disposable.

A 360 brush

Once your pet is relaxed about having their mouth handled, the 360 Degree Silicone Pet Toothbrush is an easy step up. Its round head is wrapped in soft bristles, so there is no wrong angle to hold it at, and the bristles are soft enough for gums that have never been brushed.

Wipes for pets that refuse a brush

Some dogs and cats will never accept anything that feels like a brush. The Teeth-Cleaning Finger Wipes are pre-soaked, so you slip one over a fingertip, rub along the teeth and gum line, and you are done in seconds. They need no water or toothpaste. Wiping is not quite the same as brushing, but it is a good option for a pet that will not take a brush.

Always use a pet toothpaste

Never use human toothpaste on a dog or cat. It is made to be spat out, and some contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Toothpaste made for pets is designed to be swallowed and comes in flavors aimed at pets.

How often to brush

Daily is ideal, because plaque builds back up quickly. If daily is not realistic, a few times a week still helps. Tie it to something you already do every day, like the evening walk, so it sticks.

Home brushing works alongside vet checks, not instead of them. If tartar has already built up, your vet may recommend a professional clean.

Signs it is time to see the vet

• Red, swollen or bleeding gums
• Loose, broken or discolored teeth
• Very bad breath, or breath that suddenly gets worse
• Dropping food, chewing on one side or going off their food
• Pawing at the mouth or rubbing their face along the floor
• Drooling more than usual

Mouth pain is easy to miss, especially in cats, so if something seems off, book a check.

Still not sure?

Not sure which tool will suit your pet? Email contact@honeyandpaw.com with a little about them, such as their size, age and how they feel about having their mouth touched, and we will help you choose.