| Brushing Your Chihuahuas Teeth |
| Why should I bush my Chihuahuas teeth ? Chihuahuas, just like humans, can get cavities if their teeth are not brushed. It's best to start a brushing routine when your dog is a puppy. Teeth should be cleaned at least twice a week, more if you can. Feeding your Chihuahua dry or moist food can pack unwanted food particles in between and on top of the teeth. We perform regular brushing, hard puppy treats, rope or string toys to chew on. Rope or string toys act as floss most puppies love to try and shred them. They are washable and you can throw them out when they are too frayed. Usually costing $1.00 you can go wrong. Ask about Teeth cleaning services at your Veterinarians office. |
| The most common problems with poor dental hygiene from not brushing teeth are loose and abscess teeth. Does your Chihuahua have bad breath ? Studies show that 98 % of Chihuahuas or any other breed with bad breath are most likely to be suffering from periodontal disease, a nasty result of plaque build up from unbrushed teeth. If left untreated for long periods of time, this can lead to a bacteria infection. The bacteria can enter the bloodstream of your Chihuahua and spread to your the kidney, liver, heart and even the brain. That is the very worst case scenario of what can happen to your Chihuahua if you do not brush their teeth. If your dog has bad breath, you should exanime his teeth or have a Veterinarian check the teeth to see if there is a problem. |
| Why can't I use human toothpaste on my Chihuahua ? There are various brands and types of toothpaste for humans but we can't use them on our Chihuahuas because they do not spit. Human tooth paste is dangerous to your Chihuahua it is not edible. Your Chihuahua will definitely swallow whatever you use to clean his teeth. You can purchase an edible toothpaste, just for dogs at a pet store. There are many flavors available for you to try. Trying to find one that your Chihuahua likes by using the trial and error method. Once you have found a likeable flavor for your Chihuahua they will be more likely to let you brush their teeth and make it seem like a treat for them. Use a happy voice, act excited to brush their teeth and set some time for a nice belly rub or grooming afterwards as his reward. If your dog squirms when you try to brush his teeth, try a little each day which is better than not at all. |
| How should I start to brush m Chihuahuas teeth ? Start with a play session. The best way to introduce any type of health-care routine to your Chihuahua is by making it fun for him. It will be easier to adapt to a new routine if it is fun for them. I use key words for every function or command I expect them to follow. I say " let me check your teeth", "let me check your teeth". I begin by gently holding their head while I examine teeth and gums using a gentle, soft voice. If they resist, I stop and try again later or the next day. Remember the more you try the more they get used to you checking their teeth. This daily examination process will help them get used to the idea of putting your fingers in and exploring his mouth. When your pet allows you to do this exam, praise him thoroughly. It is not uncommon for your Chihuahua to show you his teeth on command when you ask him to. We do provide a treat even if we are not checking their teeth providing they show their teeth or smile. |
| When they are comfortable with the exam, introduce the toothbrush or nubby finger brush. You might want to buy a brush made especially for small dogs. Most large tooth brushes are to large for a Chihuahua. (If your pet consistently resists the toothbrush, you may want to start with a finger brush, available from most Veterinarians or a pet store.) Apply a toothpaste that is formulated for dogs, and gently begin the brushing routine. Brush the molars, angling the toothbrush so you can also get to the surrounding gums. Pet flavored toothpaste is available in may flavors that appeal to them (malt, poultry,beef), but if your pet balks at the toothpaste, try using just a wet toothbrush for a few days, or use something on the brush that may be more enjoyable (a dab of peanut butter or cream cheese). Try to reintroduce the toothpaste after he's more comfortable with the activity. |
| After you finish with the molars, more to the front of the mouth and brush the canine and incisor teeth. Always follow a pattern so your dog will know what to expect each time. Be sure to end each session with a belly rub, playtime or a treat. After you read brushing your Chihuahuas teeth, start to brush their teeth. You may come up with a few good tips on your own. Most likely you will find reading this page was the easy part. |