3 Steps to Keep your Dog's Mouth Healthy
As pet owners we love to take care of our furry companions, but there is one important habit we seem to forget. Brushing their teeth. We are all aware that leaving those pearly whites unbrushed can lead to rotting teeth and other health issues. So, let’s turn brushing your dog’s teeth into a fun activity and habit! Here are three great ways to keep your dog’s mouth clean and healthy!
And rather than buying dog toothpaste we will give you some homemade toothpaste ideas with all natural ingredients right from your pantry.
Here are some tips to keep your dog's teeth clean:
- Feed them a nutritionally balanced diet.
- Offer appropriately sized, raw meaty bones and/or a fully digestible, high-quality dog chew. These can act as a tooth brush to help scrub away plaque and tartar.
- Brush your dog’s teeth! Aim for once a week to start and gradually build up from there. Once a day would be best.
How to brush your dog’s teeth
- Brush your dog’s teeth in a place that is free from distractions.
- Position your dog with their face looking away from you.
- Start slow. If your dog isn’t used to having their teeth brushed, then start with one tooth at a time and then try again the next day.
- Place a pea size amount of dog toothpaste (never use human toothpaste) on a gauze and gently brush their tooth in a circular motion.
- The outsides of the teeth need the most attention. If your dog is being very cooperative, then you can brush the insides of the teeth.
Homemade toothpaste recipes
These recipes have so many great ingredients that they will not only clean your dog’s teeth but help boost their health.
- Coconut oil is antibacterial and may help fight bad breath.
- Turmeric contains antioxidants, is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and is a natural whitener.
- Kelp helps remove plaque. It is also naturally antibacterial and filled with beneficial minerals.
- Baking soda is mildly abrasive and will gently scrub away tartar. We only add a small amount to the toothpaste because too much can eat away at the tooth enamel.
- Peppermint and parsley freshen your dog’s breath.
Minty Dog toothpaste
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/8 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp crushed dried peppermint leaves
Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
Coconut oil and Turmeric
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp kelp powder
Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
Chicken broth and herbs
- 1 tbsp chicken broth
- 2 tsp coconut oil (melted)
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/8 tsp dried powdered parsley
Mix all ingredients together. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Stir the ingredients together until everything is evenly combined. At this point, you can pour the toothpaste into a clean glass jar. We love using jars to use made from glass, as plastic ones can leach chemicals over time. Store toothpaste in a cool and dry place.