How to get your dog or cat used to teeth brushing, in 28 days

How the plan works

• Personalized for your pet. Tell us at checkout whether you're brushing a cat or a dog (and their name, if you like). Your plan uses the tools in your kit, in the right order.
• One to three minutes a day. Every day has a single small goal. Most sessions end before your pet has time to get bored.
• Delivered after you order. You'll get an email with a private link to your plan, which you can open on your phone or print for the fridge. Opt in at checkout and we'll also send a short email at the start of each week.
• Your pace, not ours. Review days are built in. If your pet needs longer on a step, repeat it — there's no penalty for going slower.

The four weeks

Week 1 — Trust

No tools in the mouth yet. Calm touches, lip lifts and treats, at the same time and place every day. By the end of the week, brushing time is simply the best-rewarded few minutes of your pet's day.

Week 2 — Taste & touch

A first taste of saline, then a saline-moistened finger wipe on the front teeth, every other day. You'll also meet the brushing aid — and learn when not to use it.

Week 3 — Find their tool

Finger wipe, oral swab, brushing aid, and in premium kits a cat or dog toothbrush. You'll try each one and notice which your pet accepts most calmly. That becomes their tool.

Week 4 — Routine

One favorite tool, one fresh ampoule, the same time every day — a little longer each session, until the whole mouth takes about a minute.

A sample day

Day 9 · First taste of saline · about 2 minutes

1. Twist open one saline ampoule. Put a drop on your fingertip and let your pet sniff or lick it.
2. Slide a finger wipe over your fingertip, moisten it with a few drops, and touch it to the front teeth for two to three seconds.
3. Reward. Discard the wipe; use or discard the opened ampoule within 24 hours.

If your pet resists: let them just sniff the moist wipe today, and try the touch next session.

Five rules we never break

1. Short beats long. End every session before your pet wants to.
2. Never force the mouth open. Lifting the lip is enough to reach the outer surfaces, where most buildup starts.
3. Same time, same place. Predictability is what makes it a habit.
4. Reward every time. Praise, a treat, a walk — whatever your pet loves most.
5. Go back a step when needed. Every pet has off days.

Why 28 days?

Because habits form through small, repeated, rewarded steps. Four weeks gives a cautious cat or a wiggly puppy enough time to learn that brushing is predictable and pleasant — without rushing anyone. The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that cats in particular can be more resistant, and that patience and training are important.

Included with

• Standard Oral Care Kit — $34.99
• Premium Cat Oral Care Kit — $47.99
• Premium Dog Oral Care Kit — $47.99

The kit's 15 single-use saline ampoules are matched to the plan's 15 tool sessions. After Day 28, the Essential Oral Care Kit ($19.90) restocks 10 more sessions.