Is it safe to brush my dog's teeth with coconut oil and baking soda?

Hello, thank you for using Pet Coach. You are likely to get better compliance from Joshie if you use commercial toothpaste made for dogs as it is flavored and dogs actually like it. If you don't make it taste good she will probably not be too happy with the brushing procedure. What is bad for dogs in human toothpaste is the flouride. So, esentially you can use human children's toothpaste as it does not contain flouride. She probably won't like those flavors either though. You can make your own toothpaste if you want to. Baking soda is not toxic to dogs and should be fine to use. Do not use hydrogen peroxide as that will cause vomiting if she swallows too much of it. Here is a link to a recipe you can use: ( https://www.cuteness.com/blog/content/diy-dog-toothpaste ) Hope this helps. Best wishes!

The most important part of a home dental care program is actually just brushing the teeth at all and does not seem to make a difference which toothpaste is used unless you use a proven toothpaste. There are actually only 2 toothpastes on the market that have been proven to help improve dental health in dogs. I am attaching a list of approved dental products below. http://www.vohc.org/VOHCAcceptedProductsTable_Dogs.pdf So, I would recommend purchasing PetSmile or Essential Healthy Mouth if you are going to use a toothpaste. I have found that homemade toothpastes are not very good tasting (so it makes it harder for you to brush the teeth) and would recommend using a good brush without any toothpaste instead of making a homemade toothpaste. I am attaching a link to a handout below which includes a detailed discussion on home dental care including products for cleaning the teeth. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=640 Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

I would not recommend this as it could lead to an upset stomach when digested. I would recommend using the enzymatic products that are available for dogs. There are many out there and are well tolerated when ingested. Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Home dental care is one of the best ways to help keep your dog's teeth and gums healthy. I would wet the toothbrush (you can get it at a pet store). You can also use a children's toothbrush. I would then use Pet approved toothpaste. There are wide varieties of flavors. Never use human toothpaste, baking soda or salt. While safe for you, these cleaning agents can be harmful to your dog if swallowed. Lift your dog's lip and brush with a gentle motion to clean his teeth. Just like you would your own teeth. Most pets will not allow you to brush the inside surface of their teeth, so typically you can just brush the outside portion of their teeth. Make sure you reward your dog after! Ideally, this process should be done daily. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

No, coconut oil will not help with your dogs' breath. Coconut oil has no proven medical benefits in dogs and can cause pancreatitis in some dogs. Instead, I recommend brushing their teeth with a small kid-sized toothbrush, using first water to brush the outer surfaces of their teeth, followed by a smear of dog toothpaste. Brushing daily is the most effective way to prevent dental disease and improve breath. If Enzo and his buddy's teeth have a significant amount of tartar accumulation causing the breath issues, they may need to have dental cleanings performed by their vet to first get the tartar under control. Dental bones can absolutely help further tartar accumulation, but brushing is the most effective method of dental home care.

No, it doesn't. I would get a toothbrush and paste for Rocky Road. Make sure it's a dog toothpaste and brush. I recommend the CET brand of pet dental products. You can find them online or in a pet store. I hope this helps!

It is not uncommon for tartar to buildup on dog's teeth as they age. Some dogs, particularly little dogs, seem to be more prone to this than others. Unfortunately coconut oil has no benefit for this issue. I would recommend picking up a dog toothpaste and toothbrush or dental chews such as CET chews that have been proven to be effective at decreasing tartar formation from your vet's office.