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Do you brush your teeth twice daily? How about your dog’s teeth?
Cleaning your dog’s teeth should be done regularly; it is recommended to brush your dog’s teeth three times a week if you cannot manage daily. This task can be difficult to complete between everyday activities, but it is essential. If you can’t manage daily brushing, you might be wondering how to clean dog teeth without brushing. Is it possible?
Even though brushing teeth is the best method, cleaning dogs’ teeth without brushing is possible, and there are various ways to do so. Household Pets has found the 12 simplest ways for dog owners to ensure their dogs have clean teeth.
Table of Contents
12 Simple Ways to Clean Dog Teeth Without Brushing
By knowing these 12 ways to clean a dog’s teeth without brushing, you will be able to find a method that will work for you and your dog.
1. Dental Treats
These daily dental treats prevent plaque from building up on dogs teeth 80% better than other dental treats. They are low in calories and fat, containing only natural ingredients to ensure dogs remain in good health.
- Long-lasting chews
- Various shapes to keep the dog’s interest
- Might be difficult to bite for some dogs
- Not all dogs will like them
If your dog is reluctant to go through teeth brushing, then dental treats are a delicious and hygienic way to ensure good oral health. Many pet stores have a selection of dog treats designed to keep a dog’s teeth clean, ranging in flavours, shapes, and sizes.
When a dog chews a dental treat, the action initiates the chew to scrape and clean off any plaque on the dog’s teeth. These treats have been designed to be chewed, which means they rarely damage your dog’s teeth, which is a risk with some other dog chews. They are also great for fresh breath.
2. Dog Dental Wipes
The Vet’s Best dental wipes, which can be used on dogs and cats, allow pet owners to effectively clean their animals’ teeth. By using these wipes regularly, plaque build-up will be reduced and breath freshened. It is recommended to use the wipes once daily or as required.
- Easy to use
- Most dogs prefer these wipes to a toothbrush
- Freshens breath and reduces plaque
- Can be difficult to use on smaller dogs
Dental wipes are a great way to keep on top of regularly cleaning your dog’s teeth. These are easy to use and can reduce calculus, plaque, and tartar buildup. Dental wipes can also freshen your dog’s breath.
As dogs’ teeth have more crevices and grooves than human teeth, dog dental wipes might not be as effective as some of the other methods on this list. Due to the shape and formation of dog teeth, brushing is the number one recommended method of keeping a dog’s teeth clean.
3. Dental Toys
This skull-shaped toy can be used to clean a dog’s teeth, reduce its anxiety, train, and stop pet boredom. As it has multiple grooves and ridges, these scrape against the dog’s teeth to improve dental and gum health.
- Strong chew toy
- Provides hours of entertainment
- Not indestructable
Working similarly to dental treats and chews, dental toys have been specifically designed to clean tartar buildup from dogs’ teeth, although this has been disputed. These toys typically have unique ridges and shapes to reach all corners of the dog’s mouth and scrape plaque and tartar from its teeth.
If your dog is a powerful chewer, these toys might not last very long. Be sure to keep an eye on them to ensure they do not eat parts of the toy.
4. General Chew Toys
This chew toy is made of natural rubber and has a milk flavour. It can improve dogs’ dental health as it has a unique shape to reach all corners of the dogs’ mouths.
- Long-lasting and good value for money
- Sturdy design and rubber
- Loses scent and flavour quickly
- Could be too heavy for some dog breeds
There’s a good chance you already have chew toys in the house, it’s just a case of encouraging your dog to use them. A chew toy can stimulate saliva production, which can help to improve dogs’ dental health and make cleaning teeth easier.
It can be challenging to know which chew toys are suitable for dogs, though. There is a good rule to follow when buying dog chews; a dent should form when pressing your thumbnail against the chew to show it is safe to have in your dog’s mouth. If a dent does not form on the chew, then it is likely too hard for your dog and its teeth. This is vital to check as it could prevent your dog from breaking its teeth.
5. Oral Sprays and Gels
The 2-in-1 spray is designed to reduce oral bacteria, maintain good gum health, and reduce plaque. It is easy to use with a spray nozzle, allowing full coverage inside a dog’s mouth. This spray also produces minimal noise to avoid frightening pets.
- 60-day supply in one bottle
- Mix of ingredients give dogs fresh breath
- Contains Vitamin C
- Effectiveness may vary
TropiClean’s teeth gel is a simple method to improve dogs’ dental health. Two drops to each side of the dog’s mouth daily will help to reduce plaque and tartar. It also works to prevent doggy breath.
- Loosens plaque build-up on dog teeth
- Uses naturally derived ingredients
- Not all dogs enjoy the taste
Dental sprays and gels can supplement teeth brushing. These products can help eliminate buildup on teeth and freshen their breath. There are many different types of oral sprays and gels for dogs, all with different active ingredients to benefit a dog’s dental health. The most common active ingredient in these products is Chlorhexidine.
Sprays can literally be sprayed on the dog’s gums, teeth, and toys, or added to the water bowl, while gels can be applied to the dog’s gumline. Both will stay in a dog’s mouth longer than toothpaste.
6. Plaque and Tartar Removing Powders
The PlaqueOff powder is one of the easiest products to use; simply sprinkle over the dog’s dinner once a day and let it work. This powder changes the texture of plaque and tartar to allow easier brushing.
- Works within 3 to 8 weeks
- Easy to use on dogs
- Not a quick fix
- Unsuitable for pets with hyperthyroidism
Dental products also come in powder form. These can help fight plaque and tartar buildup by using ingredients such as enzymes and antibacterial properties. To use these powders, add them to the dog’s dry food.
Plaque and tartar removal are incredibly effective but unsuitable for all dogs. Due to their strong ingredients, certain types of dogs should not eat these powders. Be sure to read the packaging to ensure it is right for your pup.
7. Food Supplements
Pets Purest dental chews for dogs are an easy way to clean a dog’s teeth and mouth. With seaweed used in these chews, plaque is scraped from dogs’ teeth by the texture and the mechanical chewing action.
- 100% natural ingredients
- Good amount of chews in the tub
- Some dogs might not like the taste
- Might be considered expensive
Dog food supplements can also be beneficial for a dog’s dental hygiene. Many of these supplements contain the same ingredients found in dental chews and teeth-cleaning recipes, such as antioxidants and probiotics.
These supplements can reduce plaque, help fight against cavities, and freshen bad breath. As with any supplement, however, you should always check with a vet before giving one to your pup because some dogs will not benefit from food supplements.
8. Water Additives
Using this water additive is simple. By adding 1 tsp into 8 oz of water in the pet’s drinking bowl, this will allow the product to freshen breath and preserve oral health. One bottle will last a long time, too, which makes this product quire cost-effective.
- No flavour or smell to disrupt the dog’s drinking habits
- Double strength formula means the bottle will last a long time
- Some dogs may experience side effects
Many different types of water additives can improve a dog’s dental health. Just like plaque and tartar removing powders, these sport specially formulated ingredients that can help combat buildup on the dog’s teeth.
These additives can help keep on top of your dog’s dental health throughout the year, even if it does not like its teeth brushing. A few drops can be added to the dog’s water bowl, which is perfect for dogs that become stressed when having their teeth brushed as it’s unnoticeable. The more water you add these additives to, the better the results and the cleaner your dog’s teeth are.
9. Bones
Bones, specifically raw bones, are good at cleaning dog teeth. When dogs eat and chew on raw bones, they need to crunch and rip through bone, meat, and tendons. This can all help to keep the dog’s mouth and teeth healthy. It is also more fun for dogs than tooth brushing.
Dog bones can be a risk, however. Cooked bones should not be given to dogs as they can be very unsafe; these bones can splinter and cause various health problems. Other bones can cause teeth to break.
10. Healthy Fruits and Vegetables
Using crunchy fruit and vegetables in your dog’s diet can help to ensure it has healthy teeth. The texture of fruit and vegetables, like apples, carrots, and celery, can remove plaque and prevent gum disease. This also has the added benefit of reducing the waistline of overweight dogs.
11. Coconut Oil
This is a natural method to clean dog teeth. Coconut oil can be used to reduce plaque and tartar that has built up on your pet’s teeth. It contains lauric acid, which can stop bad bacteria from growing on the tooth’s surface.
Coconut oil is simple to use; rub a little coconut oil onto the dog’s teeth and gums, and that’s it. This will soothe swollen gums and freshen doggy breath, too.
12. Finger Brushes
The 360-degree design of these finger toothbrushes allows pet owners to reach all corners of the dogs’ mouths. As it is made of flexible silicone, the toothbrush can fit most fingers. The product includes two finger toothbrushes and two cases.
- Enables pet owners to reach all teeth inside animals’ mouths
- Easy to use
- Thin silicone
Although finger pads do brush your dog’s teeth, they are not ordinary toothbrushes. These are a great way to introduce teeth brushing to a dog because they fit on a finger; this means they are small and not as intimidating as a toothbrush can be.
To use a finger pad toothbrush, simply put the pad on the tip of your finger and apply some toothpaste before gently rubbing the pad along your dog’s teeth.
Why Do Dogs’ Teeth Need to Be Cleaned?
Although brushing is an essential method of cleaning a dog’s teeth, the other methods without a toothbrush are good to do additionally. But why is it important that dog owners regularly clean their dogs’ teeth?
Cleaning teeth can prevent serious dental problems, such as dental plaque and red or swollen gums, from developing. Dental disease, for example, is one of the main health issues dogs can experience in their lifetimes, second only to ear infections. This can come in different forms, such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth abscesses. When these dental issues arise, pet parents are likely to face expensive vet bills.
Signs of Dental Disease in Dogs
When dogs suffer from dental disease, a range of symptoms can occur, depending on the dog and the extent of the problem. The following symptoms might be present when a dog has dental disease:
- Appetite loss
- Bad breath
- Bleeding gums
- Bloody saliva
- Changes in behaviour
- Discoloured teeth
- Excessive saliva
- Missing teeth
- One-sided chewing
- Red and/or swollen gums
If you notice any of these symptoms, taking your dog to the vet for a thorough check-up is important. The vet will be able to properly diagnose the type of dental disease your dog has.
How to Clean Dog Teeth Without Brushing: FAQs
If you own a dog, it is important to understand what makes good oral hygiene in canines. Keeping your dog’s teeth clean is possible, but there might be more information dog owners must know. Some of the questions below might prove useful:
Is brushing the only way to remove plaque?
As discussed in this article, there are other ways than just brushing to remove plaque from dog teeth. This can be done by chewing and using dental products, such as dental treats and water additives, to ensure their teeth are cleaned frequently.
Why does my dog’s breath smell?
Dogs can develop bad breath for multiple reasons, although it is often a sign of dental disease. This is one of the most common dental problems to affect dogs; it is estimated that 12.5% of dogs have dental disease. This oral health issue can include gingivitis, infections, periodontal disease, tooth fractures, and abscesses.
As these issues develop, the dog’s breath can worsen, especially if areas of the mouth become infected.
Can the vet clean my dog’s teeth?
Yes, a vet can clean a dog’s teeth. This procedure is completed under anesthesia for the dog’s safety. It will include a thorough examination of the dog’s teeth and mouth before cleaning takes place. If you suspect your dog may require professional dental care, seek out veterinary advice.
However, professional dental cleaning for dogs can be costly, so it is best to stay on top of your dog’s dental health at home with regular cleaning.
Does a dog’s diet affect its teeth?
In the past, there has been some evidence showing dogs that eat a dry food diet have better dental health, but this has been disputed. Wet food is also said to stick to dogs’ teeth a lot more, but regular teeth cleaning is essential, no matter which diet you choose to feed your dog.
To Sum Up
Knowing how to clean dog teeth without brushing is an essential part of good dog ownership. Not only can professional dental care be expensive when required, but it can also be incredibly uncomfortable and painful for dogs to suffer through. This is why preventing dental disease and other oral health issues is vital.
If your dog is reluctant to accept tooth brushing, then there are other ways to keep your dog’s oral health healthy. A pet owner can invest in dental products, like dental treats, chew toys, sprays, gels, powders, and more. There are so many options to help clean your dog’s teeth without the use of a toothbrush.