Chihuahua Information Center
It is false belief that when a dog chews on bones, toys, rawhide or dry dog food that this cleans the dog's teeth.
If a dog does not receive daily dental care from its owner, this can lead to some very serious health issues.
Many dogs suffer because of teeth that are left uncleaned.
Learn about a puppy's teeth and how to clean the teeth of a Chihuahua of any age, when to clean them and what to do if your Chihuahua avoids that toothbrush!
Why Dental Care is So Important For Your Dog
While these types of things will clean the dog's teeth to some degree...the canine medical world has learned that this is not enough! It is not nearly enough.
Dogs must have daily cleanings in order to stop infections. How do infections start? When a dog gets a build up of plague and tarter on the teeth, this can lead to decay and infection. That infection can ravage the dog's mouth and even travel through the dog's body.
A tiny Chihuahua cannot handle such infection and can quickly succumb to the effects.
How to Brush the Teeth of a Chihuahua
You should make dental cleanings a part of each day. Just as you groom, take your Chi for a walk, play, feed and have a sleep time...you should also take 5 minutes out of the day to clean your Chihuahua's teeth.
This is best done with a dog toothbrush, made for small breed dogs. Never use a human toothbrush. Never use human toothpaste; because this will be toxic to the tiny Chihuahua. Since, of course, a Chi cannot rinse out the paste, dog toothpaste is a must.
A Dog Who Hates Brushing
What do you do if your Chihuahua hates having their teeth brushed? Just as every other task that you must train your dog to do...you may need to take some time to allow your Chihuahua to get used to having his teeth brushed. It can help to first train your dog to the feeling of having his teeth touched. It is best to begin this when your Chi is a puppy; however no matter what age your dog is...this must be done.
Moving your finger around on your Chihuahua's teeth can help him get used to having something in his mouth that is not a yummy treat or dog toy!
After a few weeks, you can then try the dog toothbrush.. It is recommended to use it for a few days with no paste. As your Chihuahua gets used to the feeling, you can slowly add more and more dog toothpaste. Before you know it, your dog will accept this as a normal part of his day.
If your dog is extremely stubborn and refused to let you near him with a toothbrush, you can use the 2nd best method: dog dental wipes.
Using positive reinforcement will help to train your Chihuahua. Giving great praise when your dog sits still...and ignoring your dog when they do not behave works best.
Dog Dentists
Your dog's veterinarian will usually also be your dog's dentist. It is important to have a dental visit 1 time each year. The vet will:
- Take X-rays
- Perform a very thorough cleaning to get off plague and tater that brushing did not remove
- Check for any dental issues
