Dog Dental Care Without Brushing
How to Naturally Improve Your Dog’s Dental Health Without Anesthesia
As a veterinarian and a pet owner, I understand how challenging it can be to maintain your dog’s dental health, especially if they hate having anything done to their mouth. My own dog, Tula, recently had a dental scale and polish, and she had quite the buildup of tartar. Her teeth now look fantastic—white and shiny with healthy gums. However, Tula absolutely hates having her teeth touched, and I want to avoid putting her under anesthesia again for another dental procedure. That’s why I’ve been trying out some natural alternatives to help prevent future issues, and I’m sharing them with you here. These remedies might work wonders for your dog (or cat) too.
1. Aloe Vera for Gingivitis and Plaque
Aloe vera is a powerful natural anti-inflammatory. In fact, a 2016 study highlighted its specific benefits in treating gingivitis and reducing plaque formation. The gel from aloe vera is safe for topical use on both teeth and gums. To apply it, squirt some of the gel into a bowl, and using your finger, gently rub it along the edges of your dog’s teeth and gum line—do this both in the morning and at night. It’s a simple yet effective method that can make a noticeable difference.
2. Coconut Oil: Nature’s Antibacterial
Coconut oil is another fantastic natural remedy for dental health. It contains lauric acid, which makes it an effective anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent. A 2015 study showed significant improvements in gingivitis when coconut oil was applied topically. Plus, dogs seem to love the taste! For Tula, who detests having her teeth brushed, I simply put a little coconut oil on my finger, lift her lips, and rub it onto her gum line—focusing on those hard-to-reach molars where tartar tends to accumulate. Give it at least 60 days to assess its effectiveness.
Nurture Your Pet’s Health the Natural Way with Dr. Jones’ All-Natural Solutions
3. Propolis: Bee’s Medicinal Glue
Propolis, also known as bee glue, is a remarkable natural product that bees use to seal their hives. It has potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and has even been shown to be beneficial for oral health, particularly gingivitis. Propolis is available in a convenient spray form, making it easy to apply directly to your pet’s gum line or even to soothe a sore throat. Just spray it in the back of your dog’s mouth, focusing on the teeth and gums.
4. Plaque OFF: A Seaweed-Based Solution
Plaque OFF is a natural product derived from seaweed that works by reducing the bacteria in your dog’s mouth. It makes it more difficult for plaque to turn into tartar, which is exactly what we want to prevent. I’ve used Plaque OFF extensively in practice, and it’s one of the few products I’ve found to work well for dogs and cats with dental issues. For small dogs like Tula, the dose is tiny—just half a scoop a day. Since it’s made from seaweed rich in iodine, be cautious using it with cats that are hypothyroid. A 90-day trial should give you a good idea if it’s effective.
5. Natural Mouthwash with Green Tea and Honey
For a homemade dental rinse, try this: brew half a cup of green tea and add one teaspoon of unpasteurized honey. Allow the tea to steep for 15-20 minutes until it’s lukewarm, then stir in the honey. Green tea has strong antibacterial properties, and honey is a well-known natural antibacterial. Together, they make an excellent natural mouthwash. I use a small syringe to squirt the mixture along Tula’s teeth, paying special attention to the back molars. This manual rinsing action helps remove plaque, which is crucial for maintaining oral health. A large human study even showed a direct correlation between green tea consumption and improved gum health.
Start Small and Monitor Progress
It’s important to start with one or two of these remedies and give them 60 to 90 days to see if they’re making a difference. Each pet is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. However, these natural alternatives offer a safe, non-invasive way to maintain your dog or cat’s dental health without the need for anesthesia or professional cleanings. Keep monitoring, and hopefully, like me with Tula, you’ll find a solution that works for your pet!
What can I give my 6 pound Chihuahua to help with his nervous ness he gets nervous and shakes and barks and then gets acid reflex and throws up stomachs acid. Then gets really bad breath ?
The best suggestion is CBD Oil, best for stress, anxiety and nervousness, check it out:
https://shop.veterinarysecrets.com/supplements/ultimate-cbd.html
An article we have that can help:
alerian root, grown in parts of Asia and Europe, is a common sleep aid. However, this root has more uses that can benefit your pets, which I will be covering today.
History of Valerian Root
Dating back to to the 2nd century, valerian root has uses in a variety of ailments. The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates detailed its benefits, and during 16th century it was used to treat issues such as:
Nervousness
Trembling
Headaches, and
Heart Palpitations
During World War II, it was used to relive the stress of air raids. The name Valerian Root came from the Latin word valere, which means ‘to be strong’ or ‘to be healthy’.
Uses of Valerian Root
Sleep Aid:
Valerian is most commonly used as a natural option for a sleep aid and can even improve sleep without the grogginess you may get from standard sleep aids.
A compound within valerian, when interacting with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which regulates nerves in the brain and nervous system.
A study in humans showed that Valerian Root helped them to fall asleep faster, and stay soundly asleep – many sleep aids can eventually lead to dependence, which has not been shown to be the case for Valerian Root.
Anti Anxiety:
Valerian Root has shown benefits in reducing anxiety by stabilizing mood and promoting calmness.
A study performed on mice showed that Valerian Root maintained levels of serotonin (which is a mood regulator), which in turn, improved their response to stress.
Valerian Root could be a great option if your pet is frightened of loud noises, fireworks, or storms – give 30 minutes to 2 hours beforehand to calm them.
Epilepsy:
Valerian Root is shown to help epileptic animals, as it works similarly to the common prescription drug Phenobarbital.
Additional Uses:
Muscle and Joint Pain
Depression
Stomach Upset (Diarrhea)
Mild Tremors
Restless Leg
Dosage and Side Effects
The dose is 50 mg per pound of the dried herb or one drop per pound of body weight twice daily of the extract. An alternative to capsules is to make a tea using dried valerian root steeped in hot water for 10–15 minutes.
Research suggests that valerian is most effective once it’s been taken it regularly for at least two weeks and then continue taking it for another two to four weeks.
Valerian Root has been shown to have few adverse effects, in the short term – there have not been studies made for long term use. If your pet is currently taking anti – anxiety medication or sedatives, keep in mind the use of Valerian Root may increase sedation or increase depressive effects.
It should not be taken during pregnancy, as there are not enough studies to back the safety.
Valerian Root is a wonderful, safe and effective option for reducing anxiety in your pet, as well as helping them sleep.