How to Clean a Puppy's Mouth After Eating Poop

Home
Grooming
How to Clean a Puppy's Mouth After Eating Poop

Medium

5 - 10 Minutes

1 Day

Ask a Vet Ask a Vet

Introduction

Sammy is a 16-week old puppy. Sammy likes to take everything in her mouth. After all, it might taste good. One day on a walk Sammy comes across another dog's leavings, and while her owner is distracted, Sammy has the poop in her mouth in a flash. Sammy’s owner scolds her and she immediately drops the poop, startled and confused, as to why poop eating is not allowed!

Now Sammy's owner, who is rightly disgusted, needs to clean Sammy's mouth before returning her to free run of the house where her children will soon be home from school. The children love Sammy, play with her constantly, and Sammy loves to show her affection by giving kisses. Sammy's mistress is not OK with her having a poopy mouth when she licks the kids!

Dog's Perspective

Dogs eat poop sometimes, nobody really knows why. Where puppies are concerned, it may just be simple curiosity and investigation, trial and error, to see what tastes good. Whether it is another dogs poop, cow or horse poop, or the ever popular cat poop, you are going to want to clean your pup's mouth after he eats poop. Your puppy, on the other hand, may not be too cooperative. After all, he probably just got reprimanded and yelled at, and he is excited and not sure why you are reaching a wet funny tasting cloth into his mouth!

The Quick Clean Method

Most Recommended

2 Votes

Step

Give food and water

Give your dog water and food. Your pup will produce saliva when eating, which will naturally clean his mouth, and water will naturally rinse away germs and residue.

Step

Give dental chew

Give your dog a dental treat or stick to chew on. Saliva will naturally clean your puppy’s mouth and the dental treat will create friction to remove debris.

Step

Use cloth

Wet a face cloth or piece of gauze with salt water or coconut oil and wrap around a finger. Hold your puppy and insert the cloth into the side of your puppy's mouth.

Step

Wipe mouth out

Wipe the gums, roof of the mouth and tongue if puppy will hold still. Do not stick your finger too far into the mouth, you don't want to cause your puppy to gag.

Step

Use mouthwash

Use a doggy mouthwash, available commercially, added to water or wiped on a cloth in your puppy's mouth. Do not use people mouthwash.

The Brush Teeth Method

Effective

0 Votes

Toothbrush

Step

Get an appropriate toothbrush

Use a doggy toothbrush if you have one available, as they are specially designed to get at all sides of your dog’s canine teeth. If you don't have one on hand, use a child's toothbrush.

Step

Use dog toothpaste

Apply doggie toothpaste to your brush, do not use people toothpaste.

Step

Access teeth and gums

Lift your puppy's lip up and away from the teeth, to expose teeth and gums including cheek flaps.

Step

Brush gently

Gently insert the toothbrush into the side of your puppy’s mouth and start to brush teeth. If this is new to your puppy, you'll have to use patience and work slowly. Gve your puppy treats and lots of pets as you go along to encourage him.

Step

Rinse

Wipe off excess toothpaste with a damp cloth wrapped on your finger.

Caution & Considerations

People's mouthwash is not appropriate for dogs and can be toxic.
Do not gag your puppy by inserting your finger or a toothbrush too far into their mouth.
Use dog toothpaste, not people toothpaste, which can contain harmful ingredients.
If you get your puppy used to having his teeth brushed beforehand, it will be easier to use this method for cleaning his teeth when he gets into something foul.

Conclusion

A puppy with a poopy mouth is pretty yucky to have running around your home, licking your children and mouthing, well, whatever your puppy mouths, which probably everything, since he is in the puppy stage. You will want to clean his mouth for your peace of mind. Brushing teeth or wiping his mouth out with a cloth works well and will certainly make you feel better. Remember, however, that your dog's saliva is a natural cleaner that will break down germs and remove them from the mouth. Giving your puppy water, food, and chew toys or dental chews that make lots of saliva will go along way towards disseminating germs. Remember, dogs eat poop and your dog was designed with a self-cleaning system to handle that!

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

Grooming Questions & Answers

Question

Alfie

Cocker Spaniel mix Beagle

13 Weeks

0 found helpful

Question

0 found helpful

Alfie

Cocker Spaniel mix Beagle

13 Weeks

My dog ate poop and I don’t know how to clean his mouth. I am having trouble with Potty training, please give me some advice.

8 months, 3 weeks ago

Alfie's Owner

Darlene Stott

Dog Trainer and Groomer

0 Dog owners recommended

Thank you for the question. Alfie looks like a cute and clever guy, so don't worry he'll catch on to the potty training. This guide has excellent suggestions and some great information from a trainer at the bottom of the page. Take a look for helpful advice! https://wagwalking.com/training/go-potty As for cleaning Alfie's mouth, now is a good time to get him used to brushing his teeth. Use a dog-safe toothpaste (never human toothpaste as it can be toxic) and a small toothbrush to gently clean his teeth. Starting when he is young is a good idea! Here are instructions. https://wagwalking.com/grooming/brush-a-stubborn-dogs-teeth Good luck!

8 months, 3 weeks ago