Leading dog food brand Fish4Dogs is campaigning for dog owners to reconsider their pet’s bedtime routine, after a survey of almost 2,000 dog owners revealed that the majority are neglecting a crucial step – brushing their teeth.

Despite widespread awareness of dental health risks, more than half (56%) of UK dog owners admit they rarely or never brush their dog’s teeth. Just 7% brush daily, and only 3% do so as part of their dog’s bedtime routine.

The Royal Veterinary College recommends brushing dogs’ teeth daily as the most effective home remedy for controlling plaque and gum disease. However, even brushing as little as three times per week is enough to make a difference to dogs’ dental health.

Instead, the majority of UK dog owners aren’t brushing their dog’s teeth frequently enough, and many are substituting with treats alone. Four in ten owners (39%) rely on dental treats in lieu of brushing, while only 19% use dog-safe toothpaste.

While dental chews are fantastic for supporting dogs’ oral health in between brushings, they are not a substitute for cleaning with a toothbrush and toothpaste. According to the RSPCA, owners should also be cautious of using bones as a treat to clean dog's teeth. These are potentially hazardous and can cause dental fractures or even internal damage.

The most common reason for owners skipping brushing is because their dog “doesn’t like it”, according to a quarter of those surveyed. 9% admit they simply forget, 5% don’t know how to do it properly, and nearly 4% didn’t realise brushing was necessary at all.

Dogs not liking their teeth being cleaned is unsurprising, given over a third introduced teeth brushing after their dog was already a year old (36%).

What are the risks of not brushing your dog’s teeth?

Nearly a third of owners say they’ve noticed symptoms of poor dental hygiene in their dog (32%). The most common issue reported was yellow or brown build-up on teeth (16%), followed by bad breath (nine percent).

Alarmingly, almost half of those who spotted symptoms did not seek veterinary advice (45%). The most common reason was assuming the problem wasn’t serious enough (22%).

Studies have shown that, at age two, 80% of dogs already have some form of dental disease. Untreated dental disease can lead to pain, tooth loss, gum infections and may even impact major organs such as the heart, liver and kidneys.

How can the Bone. Brush. Bed routine help?

While bedtime routines are widely encouraged for children, dental care is being overlooked in dogs, and many owners are delaying brushing until long after puppyhood, if at all.

Fish4Dogs’ ‘Bone. Brush. Bed.’ campaign was created to give owners a simple, memorable structure to follow, particularly as more than half (56%) say they would like clearer guidance on caring for their dog’s teeth.

So, what can you do to ensure your dog’s teeth stay in good condition and avoid health risks?

1.     Bone – Give dogs a healthy dental chew to help them unwind and support their dental hygiene, ideally after dinner.

2.     Brush – After they’ve enjoyed their pre-bedtime treat, brush their teeth with dog-safe toothpaste and toothbrush.

3.     Bed – Settle them down for the night with a consistent wind-down routine, allowing dogs to feel calm, comfortable and ready for sleep.

Sarah Fowler, CEO at Fish4Dogs, commented on the findings: “We know bedtime routines are second nature for families with children, with ‘Bath. Book. Bed’ being one of the most popular. But our research shows that while almost all pet owners will give their dogs a bedtime routine, dental care is being overlooked.

“More than half of the dog owners we surveyed said they’d like more guidance on how to properly care for their dogs’ teeth, so we created the Bone. Brush. Bed. routine to help new dog owners remember to introduce brushing gradually from puppyhood.

“Incorporating brushing into an established nighttime wind-down will make the process easier and more consistent, helping owners to prevent avoidable dental disease and support their dog’s long-term health.

“Before you say goodnight to your dog, remember to treat your dog’s bedtime routine like a child’s with the three B’s: Bone. Brush. Bed.”

You can find the full study here.