How to Clean a Dog’s Teeth Without a Toothbrush

By T. Coogler

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Rope toy
Nylabone
Dental chew toys
Dental treats

Step 1:
Give your dog a rope toy to play with. My dog has a rope toy that is approximately 8" long, with a knot tied at each end. He loves to play tug of war with his rope, and he will also chew on it. He even sleeps with his rope toy. Chewing on a rope toy is terrific for your dog’s teeth. The strings that make up the rope act as dental floss, and will help to clean any plaque and food particles from between your dog’s teeth.
Step 2:
Provide your dog with a Nylabone. A Nylabone is a hard plastic chew toy that will quickly become your dog’s favorite plaything. Be sure to choose one that is the appropriate size for your dog and that it suited to his chewing style. I give my Chihuahua the petite-size Nylabone that is meant for strong chewers. The more he chews on it, the more the tiny bristles stand up. The bristles act like toothbrush bristles and will help to keep your dog’s teeth clean.
Step 3:
Buy your dog some dental chew toys. Any pet store will have some chew toys that are designed specifically to help keep your dog’s teeth clean. They often have bristles on them, and may come in different flavors that will entice your dog to chew on them.
Step 4:
Offer your dog dental treats. These are dog treats that are specially formulated to be good for your dog’s teeth and his overall dental health. They sometimes come in mint flavor, so while your dog is having a treat, he is also cleaning his teeth and freshening his breath at the same time.

Tips & Warnings

Regularly check your dog’s chew toys for wear. If chunks of plastic break off, your dog could potentially choke. Replace the toy when it starts to show a lot of wear and tear.
Don’t give your dog too many treats. Obesity is very harmful to a dog, so be mindful of his weight.

Resources

PetSmart

More Puppy Pages

Products to Clean Dog Teeth

Keeping your dog's teeth clean is an important part of your pet's hygiene and helps to prevent gum disease and bad breath. There are several products available and other ways to provide the proper dental care for your dog.

Dogs have a natural chewing instinct, especially teething puppies. It's important for owners to give them safe bones that are designed for their particular needs, sizes and breed types. This stimulates the dogs' mental faculties, as well as gives them a...

The posters in veterinary offices depicting dog dental ailments such as periodontal disease are often quite disgusting to look at. If you want to do your best to prevent the same happening to your dog, there are several ways to stave off dental problems...

Imagine this: You come home from a hard day at work, open the door and are greeted by a wagging, quivering fur ball. Your heart melts at the very thought of the unconditional love your canine pal gives you. You reach down to give Fido an affectionate...

Most dogs enjoy playing with soft rope toys. These toys are inexpensive and fairly durable. Some even are designed to improve dental health. Soft rope toys are not without their drawbacks. A fraying rope toy could become a health hazard. Some trainers...