Brush Baby Brush! Doodles On Doodles (Part 2)
One characteristic shared by all doodles is their curly, poodle coat. But this article isn’t just about brushing their coat, it’s also about brushing their teeth. In between professional grooming sessions, doodles deserve quality care from their pet parents.
Brushing Coats
Frequency – Many doodle owners don’t realize brushing should be done as often as every other day for 10-30 minutes (depending on the size). This prevents long-term problems like severe matting.
Right Tools – Just like humans have a favorite style of brush, your doodle will also have a preference. Ranging from metal to softer plastic, your doddle may reject one style over another.
Professional Help – Most doodle owners acknowledge the need for professional grooming to keep their coats fresh and professionally groomed. Even owners who dabble in at-home grooming know a spa day for their pet sets a new baseline of quality rarely experienced by the do-it-yourself groomer. Good grooming paves the way for healthy brushing.
Brushing Teeth
Recent studies have shown so many connections between general health and dental hygiene (i.e. heart conditions for one). This connection is true for humans and pets. That’s why dental hygiene compels us to talk about brushing your doodle’s teeth.
Just like brushing their coat, some handy tips can help.
Frequency – VCA Animal Hospitals states, “Like us, it is ideal to brush your dog’s teeth at least twice daily. For many dogs, once brushing becomes a part of their daily routine they will begin to expect and enjoy it. Brushing three times a week is the minimum recommendation to help remove plaque and prevent tartar accumulation.” This is shocking for most doodle and dog owners to hear…because most pet owners never focus on brushing their pet’s teeth.
Right Tools – What brush you use will make a difference in your doodle’s experience. Some may want the rubberized finger brush, while others would prefer the dental wipes. Others will do well with a regular toothbrush with soft bristles. WHATEVER YOU USE, do not use human toothpaste to clean your dog’s teeth…it can make them sick. A wide variety of canine toothpaste is available, but the most important thing is the cleaning – not the cleaning product.
Professional Help – Cleaning your doodle’s teeth is important and professional cleanings can be VERY expensive. The longer you wait to address their dental hygiene, the more costly appropriate care will be in the long run. And, this doesn’t even address the discomfort they will experience. A little daily dental cleaning goes a long way to keeping your doodle healthy and happy.