No dog likes to have his teeth brushed, and no owner enjoys brushing their pet's teeth. While it isn't very fun, dental health is a necessary part of pet care. A tasty toothpaste can help make the process a little bit easier. Learning how to make dog toothpaste allows you to cater to your pup's flavor preferences.
According to the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC), periodontal disease is the most common clinical condition that occurs in adult dogs. The sad part is, it is 100% preventable. The AVDC says that by age three, most dogs have some evidence of periodontal disease.
The most common sign of dental health issues is bad breath. Unfortunately, most owners just assume all dogs have bad breath and do not worry about this symptom.
Poor dental hygiene can affect your dog’s entire body – not just his mouth. Damage inside his mouth will include destruction to and loss of gum tissue, and the bone around his teeth, development of a hole (known as a fistula) leading from the oral cavity to the nasal passage causing excessive nasal discharge, bone infection (known as osteomyelitis), and fractures of the jaw after the jaw bone has been weakened.
Bacteria will grow to astronomical numbers in your dog’s mouth if you don’t keep up with his dental hygiene. Those bacteria can enter the bloodstream and be carried all over the body. Studies have shown that periodontal disease in canines is associated with negative changes in dog's heart, kidneys and liver. One study even linked periodontal disease in dogs to the development of heart disease.
Keeping up with your dog’s oral hygiene at home will make a huge difference in his overall health and comfort. Oral hygiene is a continuous process, and you'll need the right tools to get the job done. In order to make sure Fido is comfortable, you’ll need to brush his teeth on a regular basis so he is used to the procedure.
How to Make Dog Toothpaste
Learning how to make dog toothpaste is simple. It only takes a few ingredients, and you've probably already got them in your kitchen cabinets. You will need:
- 6 tbsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 bouillon cube
- 1 tsp. dried parsley
- 2 tsp. water
You can use any kind of bouillon that you think your dog will enjoy. I like to use chicken or beef, because they both entice my dogs. You could also use vegetable bouillon if you'd like to make a vegan toothpaste.
When learning how to make dog toothpaste, all you have to do is mix the ingredients above together in a small bowl. You can store the leftover toothpaste in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.
You can purchase dog toothpaste at pet stores, but be sure that you NEVER use human toothpaste to clean your dog's teeth. Human toothpaste could contain fluoride, xylitol or other ingredients that are toxic to dogs.
READ NEXT: How to Brush a Dog's Teeth – Step by Step Guide
