The good thing about dogs is that they do not easily develop cavities, unlike us. Despite this, it is important that you take the time to take good care of your shih tzus teeth. One of the things that you can do is to brush his teeth. If you have already tried that, then you are already well aware that it is a difficult thing to undertake. To help you out, here are some of the tips that you should know about:
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Start it early.
If you want your dog to be comfortable with teeth brushing, it is a must that you start brushing his teeth while he is just a puppy.
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Opt for the right toothbrush.
Choosing the right toothbrush is a must to avoid bleeding of gums. One of the best brushes that you can use is a finger brush which is perfect for smaller dog breeds that are less than 30 pounds, like your Shih Tzu. Make sure that you opt for a toothbrush that has soft bristles.
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Practice first.
The first thing that you need to do is to test how willing your dog is to have his gums and teeth touched. Put light pressure on it. Do this for a few times so he will get used to the feeling of being touched in such areas.
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Get a toothpaste with yummy flavors.
Avoid using human toothpaste. There are plenty of flavored toothpaste products that are formulated for the needs of dogs. One of the best flavors that you can use is peanut butter.
Brushing the teeth of your dog properly will help to avoid bad breath and yellow problems. But more than that, making sure that the oral health of your dog is in its tip top shape can also prevent him from other serious canine dental health problems and even from life-threatening infections.