Welcome to The Puppy Toolbox!

*Disclaimer: This email contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

It started with one innocent confession:
“I had no idea we were meant to brush our dogs’ teeth daily 🙈 Do people actually do this?”

Did you know this, Reader?

People have various opinions on whether or not it's necessary. Here are

What followed was a full-blown puppy parent debate, complete with vet professionals, peanut butter hacks, huskies with shark teeth, and people who swear they’ve never brushed a dog’s teeth in 40 years. Here’s what we learned 👇

team “yes, brush them”

The perspective of a vet tech:
If humans brush twice a day and still get cavities… why would dogs magically avoid dental disease?

Their advice:

• Start slow (think seconds, not minutes)
• Touch the mouth first, then progress to finger brushes
• Reward everything
• Build it into a routine

Eventually? Your dog might literally run to their spot when the toothbrush comes out 😂

Other puppy parents use:

• ​Peanut butter toothpaste “training transitions”
• ​Chicken-, peanut butter-, and vanilla-flavored dog toothpaste​
• ​Electric toothbrushes (yes, really)

team “absolutely not”

On the flip side? A lot of people don't brush their pup's teeth...ever.

What they do instead:

• ​Raw or natural chews​
• Bones, antlers, bully sticks
• Carrots, celery, chicken necks
• ​Dental powders and water additives

the plot twist: genetics + age matter

It's important to point out the following:

• Some dogs have perfect teeth for years, then suddenly need extractions
• Littermates on the same diet can have completely different dental outcomes
• Small breeds and flat-faced dogs tend to struggle more due to crowding

Translation? What works beautifully for one dog might fail another.

dental sticks: hero or hype?

This topic gets spicy 🌶️

Some puppy parents swear by them.
Others call them:

• “A marketing gimmick”
• Too high in calories
• Full of fillers
• Not actually effective at cleaning teeth

Consensus? If you use them, they probably shouldn’t be your only plan.

the real takeaway

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

Some dogs happily accept daily brushing.
Some tolerate weekly wipes.
Some rely on chews, supplements, or diet.
Some… will absolutely bite you if you try 😬

What does seem to matter across the board:

• Starting young (when possible)
• Consistency
• Paying attention to your dog’s mouth, breath, and comfort
• Checking in with your vet before problems snowball

And maybe most reassuring of all?
You’re not a bad puppy parent if you’re still figuring this out.

With lots of puppy love,

PJ, The Puppy Toolbox Team

P.S. Get more puppy health tips on the blog.