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My Shih Tzu puppy is 2.5 months. When can I start brushing her teeth?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Female | unspayed | 2 months and 19 days old

Hi, i have heard that shit zus are susceptible to dental problems,when can i start brushing my dog's teeth?!she is almost two and a half months old.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

Veterinarian

Published on June 9th, 2017

Good for you for being so proactive with Hazal's dental care! You can start getting her accustomed to tooth brushing at any point. Young puppies have fairly sensitive gums while they are teething, so at this point, I recommend using either a finger toothbrush or a slightly coarse wash clot with water, as these are more gentle than an actual toothbrush. Try to brush or rub the outer surfaces of her teeth daily to get her used to this action. Once her adult teeth have all erupted (usually around 8-9 months of age), you can switch to a soft, small toothbrush (kid-sized are best for small dogs), but continue just using water to brush her teeth. After brushing with water, you can smear a small amount of pet toothpaste on the outer surfaces of her teeth with your finger.

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    Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    You can start now with a soft cloth or rubber brush to get her used to the sensation and taste of dog toothpaste, plan to do quarter/third of the mouth at one time initially. Ensure she has regular dental checks up to 12months old to identify any crowding or poor allignment of teeth which may need correction to avoid excessive plaque build up

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