How to keep your dog's teeth clean -- Merrick Fresh Kisses review

Nothing like doggy breath, huh? Hot and sometimes -- especially depending on what you feed them -- quite stinky.

But just like humans, stinky dog breath could be a sign of tooth decay. And just like humans, tooth decay in a dog can lead to all sorts of health problems.

That's why we've got to keep those teeth clean, right? And to do that, we'll show you how to brush a dog's teeth in a few easy steps, plus -- use a good dental treat. We recommend Merrick's new Fresh Kisses™ dental treats.

DISCLOSURE: This post and giveaway is sponsored by Merrick Pet Care. The opinions and ideas in this post are my own and are uninfluenced by any other person or business.
Brushing your dog's teeth in easy steps

Just like a human, the best way to keeping your dog's teeth clean is a bit of brushing. Some people brush their dog's teeth almost daily -- at least weekly.

If you start slow, and young, you'll have an easier time of doing it. But keeping the plaque off your dog's teeth is the best way to reduce the need for costly vet cleanings, gum disease, tooth extraction, and other health issues.

EDITOR'S NOTE: It's not easy to get pictures of teeth brushing, but we are working on it for easy visuals!

Step 1: The right toothpaste

Toothpaste comes in all kinds of flavors these days. We use a peanut butter flavored gel the dogs really like.

Let them try it with a little on your finger. Let THEM lick it off your finger. By letting them try it on their own, they get used to the texture, the smell, the flavor, so they know it's a kind of treat.

Step 2: Get it on the teeth

The next step is to get your dog used to brushing. One common tip is to wrap gauze around your finger and use small rotating strokes. Make sure to work in sections. Use a downward stroke to help get the plaque off.

Step 3: Start brushing

Once your dog is used to the finger, you can transfer to a finger brush or a regular toothbrush.

That's it! Easy, right? Of course, your dog has to agree to getting it done. So pack patience and be persistent. Try to do each step every day or close to every day for a few weeks.

Also, get a good treat to chew

There's nothing a dog likes more than shopping for treats.

Dogs that are active chewers are known to have less plaque on their teeth.

So you want a good chew for your dog, based on their size and how much of hard chewer they are. Some dogs are harder than others.

Merrick Fresh Kisses treats are not incredibly hard, but they have dual brushes, which means extra bristles for dogs to chew on.

There are two types of Fresh Kisses treats -- one infused with mint breath strip pieces and spearmint oils. The other treat is made with coconut oil, along with peppermint, lemongrass and rosemary oils.

Merrick Fresh Kisses treats have brush bristles on both sides to help scrape plaque.

We prefer the ones with the mint breath strips, or at least Lulu does. Jasmine likes the one with coconut oil.

The treats are also grain-free and potato-free, for those who look for that in dog food and treats for their pets. They use pea starch and tapioca starch instead. And all of the ingredients are made and farmed in the USA.

You can find Merrick Fresh Kisses treats where ever you find Merrick products, including Petco, Pet Supermarket, boutique stores and Amazon. I suggest trying the whole Merrick treat line!

Be sure to try the whole Merrick treat line!

NOTE: Treats are not a substitute for regular dental care, which should include brushing.