Okay, so, I’ve been on this mission to find the best way to keep my little buddy’s teeth clean. You know, my small dog? He’s the best, but his breath? Not so much. So I started looking into toothbrushes designed for small dogs, and let me tell you, it’s a whole world out there.

First, I checked out what the vet folks recommend, like the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). They have this list of approved products, which is helpful because, honestly, I didn’t know where to start. Then I started digging around online, reading about all these different toothbrushes and toothpastes.
I learned that there are tons of options! You can just use a baby toothbrush, which is kind of funny to think about. But they also make these little toothbrushes specifically for dogs, and even ones that are like little rubber things that go on your finger. I tried the finger one first because it seemed less intimidating for my pup. And guess what? It was kind of a fail!
Here’s what I did:
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Got a finger toothbrush and some dog toothpaste that was supposed to taste like meat. Sounds gross, but my dog seemed interested.
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Tried to gently brush his teeth, but he was NOT having it. He kept trying to lick the toothpaste off and wouldn’t let me get near his back teeth.
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Decided to try a regular dog toothbrush next.
I switched to a small, soft-bristled toothbrush designed for dogs. I read somewhere that you don’t even need toothpaste, just water, but I figured I’d keep trying with the dog toothpaste since he seemed to like the taste.
This time, it went a little better. I started by just letting him lick the brush with a tiny bit of toothpaste on it. Then, I slowly started brushing his front teeth, just for a few seconds at a time. He still wasn’t thrilled, but he tolerated it.
My Takeaways
So, after all this, I’m still figuring things out, but here’s what I’ve learned so far:
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Find a toothbrush that’s the right size for your dog’s mouth. Baby toothbrushes might work, but the ones made for dogs are probably better.
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Don’t force it! If your dog hates it, take it slow. It might take some time for them to get used to it.
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Dog toothpaste is a thing! It can make the whole experience a little more enjoyable for your pup. But if you do not want to use it, it is also OK to use water only.
It’s definitely a process, but I’m determined to keep at it. A clean mouth means a healthy pup, and that’s what matters most! I’ll keep you all updated on my progress. Maybe one day my little guy will actually enjoy getting his teeth brushed. A dog-mom can dream, right?
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