Updated January 5, 2026.
Did you know dogs and cats should have their teeth brushed regularly, just like humans?
We believe true wellness is never one-dimensional. That's why our approach to care centers on 360° of Happy Health®, looking at the whole pet, from snout to tail, inside and out, and offering care that supports their physical, mental, and emotional happiness. Oral health plays a much bigger role in our pets' overall well-being than many pet parents realize, and it's one of the most impactful places to start when it comes to preventive care.
Just like humans, dogs and cats benefit from regular tooth brushing and cleaning. Daily brushing is the most effective way to prevent periodontal disease (which can lead to chronic pain, tooth loss, and organ damage). Experts recommend brushing at least 2-3 days a week for 30 seconds per side to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Of course, brushing at home is only one piece of the puzzle. Most pets should also get regular preventive Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHATs) from their veterinarian, similar to humans going to the dentist, to address what brushing can't reach and support their lifelong dental health.
Here’s your step-by-step guide to brushing your pet’s teeth and taking another meaningful step toward whole-pet wellness.
(Want to see a video demonstration? Watch our tooth-brushing tutorial with Dr. Page and Sheldon!)
How to Brush Your Pet’s Teeth
If your pet has never had their teeth brushed before, don’t dive in head (or mouth-first) with the toothbrush. It’s important to first get your pet comfortable with having their teeth and gums touched (this is called deconditioning). Introduce each step gradually, and use plenty of treats and praise to make it a positive experience. And yes, maybe adding a surplus of treats into the mix sounds counterintuitive when we're trying to clean your pets' teeth, but if this is your first attempt at pet dental hygiene, then the goal is to form positive associations with the toothbrush and their mouth/lips being handled.
1. Start with Your Finger or a Cloth
Choose a calm time to begin when your fur baby is relaxed—exercising them first can help to get some energy out and help them settle down quicker. To begin, hold your dog or cat in your lap or sit beside them comfortably. Using your finger or a soft cloth, gently rub the outer surface of the teeth in a circular motion. If your pet is uncomfortable with this step, back up and begin by gently handling their face, mouth, and lips. Always generously offer treats when they comply. The goal is to create an atmosphere where your pet wants (or at least tolerates) their face and mouth touched. Then, in the initial cleanings, focus on only a few teeth at a time. Keep these sessions short, and give plenty of treats and praise!
2. Taste the Toothpaste
Once your pet is calm and familiar with you reaching into their mouth, and calmly allows you to handle them, apply some pet-safe toothpaste to your finger and let your pup taste it. Never use human toothpaste, as it can contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs and cats. Slowly rub a small amount of the toothpaste over their teeth with your finger or a cloth. Continue giving praise the whole time.
3. Bring in the Bristles
This step is all about becoming friends with the toothbrush! There are many types of brushes to choose from. Many pet parents find it easiest to begin with a finger brush, rather than a standard toothbrush. Allow your pet to sniff and investigate the brush at their own pace before trying to reach into their mouth with it. Apply a bit of pet-safe toothpaste to the brush and let them lick it off. Continue giving treats and praise to build a positive association.
4. Tooth Brushing Time
Once your pet is comfortable with the brush itself, gently rub the toothbrush (with toothpaste applied) along the outer surfaces of their teeth. You can start with just one tooth, and if it goes well, end the session there! Gradually work your way up to doing more teeth in one session, over the course of several days or weeks. Remember: this is a marathon, not a sprint; the goal is gradually increasing comfort levels and ensuring calmness throughout the process. This will make your pet's at-home dental care easier to manage throughout their long and happy life.
When brushing, use gentle circular motions on the outer surface of the tooth, near the place where the tooth touches the gums. Don’t worry about brushing the tips or insides of the teeth (your pet’s tongue tends to remove a lot of plaque from these surfaces!). Focus on the large cheek teeth and the canine teeth - these are where plaque and tartar accumulate most quickly.
Teeth Brushing at JM Pet Resort
By making tooth brushing a positive experience, you’ll have a much easier time keeping your fur baby’s teeth clean on a regular basis at home. Go slowly at first and work your way up to full brushing; the effort you put into getting your pet comfortable will pay off. If the process is stressful and uncomfortable for both of you, you’re more likely to simply stop doing it altogether!
Dental hygiene doesn’t need to take a long time–30 seconds of brushing on each side of the mouth daily can be enough to ward off tartar and dental disease! And this can be a wonderful bonding time for you and your fur-baby. Tooth brushing not only lowers your pet’s risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease (and decreases the need for additional costly procedures later in life) but also keeps their breath fresh and supports healthy organs to contribute to 360° of Happy Health® throughout their life.
If you want support or to have your pup's teeth brushed during their next visit, call us to book a Teeth Brushing Health4PETS® Extra! Our Liaisons are here to help, ready to offer a supportive hand on your pet's journey to cleaner teeth, a healthier mouth, and overall wellness.