How to brush teeth?

[T Doll]

For those of you who brush your furbaby's teeth, how do you do it?? I bought a finger brush and some Petzlife gel but I've gotten nowhere with this I put some of the gel on the finger brush and Mocha licked some of it off, but it made him sniffle and sneeze a little bit. Is this normal? I also can't get him to open his mouth for me to brush his teeth. I've tried lifting his lip up (with his mouth closed), but he fusses too much and just won't have it. He stays perfectly still whenever I clean his face and eye boogies, but when it comes to teeth brushing, he just refuses to cooperate. Any suggestions?

[Roxie21]

IMO I think brushing teeth is one of those most difficult things to do. I can do the bath, brushing, top knot, clean the eyes......etc but the teeth really can be a nightmare. Roxie will be 3 years old next month and I still haven't mastered it. I think if you start as a puppy and just do it every day to get them used to it, its easier. I recently took Roxie to get her teeth clean for $185.00. and maybe it would not had been necessary if I brushed her teeth regulary. I just try to hold her down and do the best I can. Maybe someone else has had better luck!

[alaskayorkie]

I started with no toothpaste or brush. Just get them used to you rubbing their gums and teeth with your finger. After several days of that, put a little toothpaste on the finger brush and let them lick it off. Then go a little further and scrub the front canines a bit with your finger. Eventually, you'll be able to do the whole mouth. Eddie sometimes runs away from me when he sees the toothpaste, but once I catch him he's fine with it.

I don't remember the sneezing. If it continues, you might try another brand. I use petrodex poultry flavor, and they think it's candy. It may not be as good as the stuff you're using, though.

[grayxie]

You can try using a piece of gauze instead of a finger brush, its probably less abrasive.

[cheeselover8481]

Someone on YT suggested to brush a little then give them a treat, brush a little and more treats. The key is giving them the treat when they're being good, even if they're good for a second. After a while you can start giving them a treat when they're good 10 seconds, then 20 seconds, etc. After a while they'll always be good so no treat is needed.

Also, I recommend a baby's toothbrush. Haha, I think I kept Rosie's first toothbrush. She would hiss at the toothbrush and bite it when she was a puppy. You should see the brush.

[red98vett]

Question: How to brush teeth ?

Answer: Take a Valium -


For you ......not the yorkie !



Disclaimer - I am NOT promoting drug use LOL but holy cow yorkies can be SO obstinate when they don't want to do something.

[Yorkiekids]

I agree with V. Number 1 suggested idea.

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by red98vett

Question: How to brush teeth ?

Answer: Take a Valium -


For you ......not the yorkie !



Disclaimer - I am NOT promoting drug use LOL but holy cow yorkies can be SO obstinate when they don't want to do something.

LOL!!!!!

My vet actually suggested using a piece of gauze wrapped around your index finger and then swipe the inside and outside of teeth. I find it actually works much better than a toothbrush and the girls tolerate it much better. Then I use a little Petzlife Gel a couple times a week and rub it along the back teeth especially. They're looking pretty darn good!!!!!

[Iheartroxie]

Oh boy do I have trouble brushing Roxie's teeth! I have the Petzlife gel and spray ~ she HATES both! So I have given up on using the gel and now only use the Petzlife spray. Although I don't spray Roxie's teeth as often as I should since it is always a struggle.

However, I also use the Petrodex brand of toothpaste that Alaskayorkie recommended. Roxie LOVES the peanut flavor toothpaste. She licks the toothpaste immediately off of the brush because she loves it so much! I am still trying to get Roxie used to the actual brushing of her teeth ~ she doesn't like it, but with time I am sure that she will become more tolerant (I hope ) For now she just licks off the toothpaste and then chews on the bristols of the tooth brush. But it is a start!

[sryope68]

I use the Petzlife gel a couple times a week, Xena loves it and gets all excited when I pull it out. Izzy on the other hand, runs and I have to catch her to put it in her mouth. I have finger toothbrushes but they still seem too big for their mouths, it's really hard to get their back teeth, I think I might try the gauze idea. I also buy regular toothbrushes and play with them with it and let them chew on it, I figure it's something and that's better than nothing.

[T Doll]

I think I'm going to try the Petrodex toothpaste. Mocha really hates the Petzlife and will NOT put up with it How do you get their mouth open though to start brushing? It's like Mocha's mouth is glued shut when he knows I want to brush his teeth lol.

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

I started with no toothpaste or brush. Just get them used to you rubbing their gums and teeth with your finger. After several days of that, put a little toothpaste on the finger brush and let them lick it off. Then go a little further and scrub the front canines a bit with your finger. Eventually, you'll be able to do the whole mouth. Eddie sometimes runs away from me when he sees the toothpaste, but once I catch him he's fine with it.

I don't remember the sneezing. If it continues, you might try another brand. I use petrodex poultry flavor, and they think it's candy. It may not be as good as the stuff you're using, though.

[omega]

Originally Posted by red98vett

Question: How to brush teeth ?

Answer: Take a Valium -


For you ......not the yorkie !



Disclaimer - I am NOT promoting drug use LOL but holy cow yorkies can be SO obstinate when they don't want to do something.

How funny. They really can be obstinate, can't they?