Can I use paper towels as alternatives to teeth brushing for dogs?
Original Question: Tucker does not like me brushing his teeth, so I use paper towel with his toothpaste to rub his teeth and scrub his tongue. I want to know if this is ok for me to do that. His diet is natural balance. Thank you so much for your reply. - Zorina
Jul 24, 2018
Hi Zorina,
I don’t personally feel that you can use paper towels as alternatives to teeth brushing for dogs as I don’t believe there is enough scrubbing action. You can look at trying to reintroduce brushing by using a soft bristled kids toothbrush and letting them just start by licking the toothpaste. After some conditioning to enjoying that, you could try with very short brushing sessions, no more than 10-15 seconds then when done give him something he really likes as a treat. Work up from there. Alternatively, there are dental diets and treats available (I suggest looking for the VOHC seal) that can help clean the teeth without all the brushing stress. I encourage you to take a look at our video tutorial about how to brush a dog’s teeth for a thorough demonstration and teeth cleaning tips.
I hope this helps!
Dr. Ryan Llera
Disclaimer: healthcareforpets.com and its team of veterinarians and clinicians do not endorse any products, services, or recommended advice. All advice presented by our veterinarians, clinicians, tools, resources, etc is not meant to replace a regular physical exam and consultation with your primary veterinarian or other clinicians. We always encourage you to seek medical advice from your regular veterinarian.
