What percent of dog owners brush their dog's teeth?

Oral health is extremely important for dogs, just like it is for humans. Unfortunately, many dog owners do not realize this and fail to take proper care of their pet’s teeth. Brushing a dog’s teeth regularly can prevent plaque buildup, gum disease, and tooth decay. So what percentage of dog owners actually make the effort to brush their dog’s teeth?

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Quick Answer

According to surveys and studies, only around 10-20% of dog owners regularly brush their dog’s teeth. That means 80-90% of dog owners do not brush their dog’s teeth or do so infrequently. This is quite low given the importance of dental health in dogs.

Why Brushing a Dog’s Teeth is Important

There are several reasons why brushing a dog’s teeth regularly is critical for their health:

Prevents plaque and tartar buildup – Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that adheres to a dog’s teeth. If not removed through brushing, it hardens into tartar which can lead to gum disease.
Fights gum disease – Gum disease is extremely common in dogs, with some studies estimating 70-80% of dogs over age 3 having some level of it. Brushing helps keep gums healthy.

Prevents tooth decay – Dogs can get cavities just like humans. Brushing removes food debris and bacteria that cause decay.
Freshens breath – Brushing also helps freshen a dog’s breath by removing bacteria that cause halitosis.
Overall health – Poor dental health can spread bacteria to other parts of the dog’s body. It has been linked to heart, lung and kidney problems.

Despite the importance of dental hygiene for dogs, most owners fall short in this area.

Survey Data on Dog Dental Care Habits

Various surveys and studies have been conducted over the years that shed light on the frequency of dog tooth brushing by owners:

A survey by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) found only 11% of dog owners brushed their dog’s teeth regularly.

A poll by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) put the number at 15% of owners who brush their dog’s teeth at least 3 times a week.
According to a survey by pet insurer Trupanion, only 22% of dog owners brush their pet’s teeth weekly.
A study published in The Journal of Veterinary Dentistry examined dental health records of over 200 dogs and found only 2% had their teeth brushed daily.

While the numbers vary slightly, all the surveys point to the vast majority – around 80-90% – of dog owners not brushing their dog’s teeth regularly or at all.

Why Don’t More Owners Brush Their Dog’s Teeth?

There are several reasons why most dog owners do not make dental care a priority for their pets:

Lack of awareness – Many owners simply do not realize how important brushing is or that dogs can get serious dental disease.

Difficulty – Brushing a dog’s teeth can be challenging, especially if they are not trained and resist it.
Laziness – Brushing a dog’s teeth takes time and effort, which some owners do not want to invest.
False sense of security – Some owners feel that dental treats or chews are enough to maintain good oral health.

Belief it’s not needed – Smaller dogs in particular often don’t show obvious signs of dental disease owners notice.

Veterinarians also share part of the blame for the low percentage of dogs getting their teeth brushed. A study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that only 23% of dog owners said their vet advised them to brush their dog’s teeth. Veterinarians need to better educate clients on the importance of dental care.

Steps for Brushing a Dog’s Teeth

For dog owners wishing to improve their pet’s oral health, here are some tips for brushing their teeth:

Get them used to having their mouth handled – Do this gently over time so they become accepting of having their mouth touched and opened.
Use a specially designed dog toothbrush and toothpaste – Human products are not suitable as dog toothpaste is formulated to be safe if swallowed.
Brush gently – Focus on the outer surfaces of the teeth and gums using gentle circular motions.

Take your time – Rushing can make the process stressful for both of you. Keep sessions brief at first.
Make it a positive experience – Give lots of praise, pets, and treats so they look forward to teeth brushing.
Establish a routine – Brushing their teeth daily or several times a week after meals is optimal.

With positive reinforcement and incremental training, dogs can generally learn to tolerate and even enjoy having their teeth brushed.

Professional Dental Cleanings

While brushing your dog’s teeth at home is important, they should also receive periodic professional dental cleanings. Veterinary dental cleanings are crucial for:

Removing heavy tartar buildup

Identifying dental issues not visible to the eye
Treating any existing gum disease
Extracting badly damaged or infected teeth

Most dogs need a full veterinary dental cleaning with x-rays once a year. Senior dogs or those with dental disease may need cleanings more often. Home brushing helps extend the time between required professional cleanings.

Statistics on Dog Dental Cleanings

Unfortunately, just like home brushing, the percentage of dogs receiving annual professional cleanings is quite low. Some data on vet dental cleanings:

As few as 7% of small breed dogs and 2% of large breed dogs get annual dental cleanings according to research published in the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry.

A survey commissioned by the Veterinary Oral Health Council found only 15% of dog owners obtained a veterinary dental cleaning for their pet in the previous year.
The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates 80% of dogs show signs of oral disease by age 3, but only about 10% receive dental cleanings.

Again, the numbers show that most dog owners are not prioritizing their pet’s dental health with professional cleanings. This puts their pet at risk of developing avoidable dental disease.

Conclusion

In summary, surveys and veterinary research consistently show that around 80-90% of dog owners do not regularly brush their dog’s teeth or obtain annual dental cleanings for them. Poor dental care is extremely common due to factors like lack of owner awareness, difficulty brushing dogs’ teeth, costs of cleanings, and some veterinarians not emphasizing dental health enough with clients. With oral disease being so widespread in the dog population yet also very preventable, more education and public awareness are needed to improve this situation for the well-being of our canine companions.