Dogs might act weird after dental procedures like teeth cleaning.

They should get their teeth cleaned once per year.

It requires anesthesia, so you should not be surprised if your dog is sleepy after the procedure.

The strange behavior should stop after 2-3 days, but here are some tricks that will speed up this process.

Why your Dog is Acting strange after teeth Cleaning?

  • Most Common Consequences of Dental Cleaning
  • Preparing Special Food
  • Postpone Oral Hygiene
  • New Tooth–Brushing Techniques
  • Antibiotics and Pain–Relievers
  • Recognize Post-Procedure Complications

Most Common Consequences of Dental Cleaning

Dysphoria

When dogs wake up from surgeries, they are confused and disoriented.

They feel spacey and groggy until the anesthetic sedation wears off.

This confusion causes stress to the dog, resulting in dog crying and whining.

Pain

Before the anesthetic wears off, the dog is numb.

But afterward, the affected area starts hurting, which is the main cause of their wheezing.

If the vet provided proper medication, you should not face this problem.

But if the dog’s whimpering doesn’t stop, that is an alarm. [1]

You should contact the vet and ask for other pain medications.

Attention-Seeking

Dogs are similar to children. They seek love and attention all the time.

This happens especially when they are in pain and feel honorable.

They need to feel your support and love even more than before.

So try to be there for cuddling and snacks during the first few days after the procedure.

Preparing Special Food

After the dental procedure, the dog’s mouth is sensitive and sore.

Therefore, you may notice that your dog is not eating after teeth cleaning.

In the first week of the procedure, you should prepare the food.

Boiling vegetables and blending them can help.

Also, cooking meat that is soft adds to the level of protein in the diet. [2]

Foods rich in protein can help heal inflammation faster and more effectively.

You can also offer your dog baby food in exchange for a normal meal.

Or to add protein food like meat to the baby food.

Of course, you should first read whether all the ingredients are allowed for a dog.

This way, the dog will see that it can still eat.

It will be happier and easier to pass the period of adaptation after the procedure. [3]

Postpone Оral Hygiene

Eating dental treats is recommended by veterinarians and helps remove dental plaque.

The same goes for brushing teeth and chewing on hard objects like bones.

After the dental cleaning, veterinarians recommend postponing this process.

The first reason is that the palate is inflamed and too sensitive to mechanical pressure.

Constant chewing can cause surface blood vessels to rupture. [4]

This leads to bleeding and the possibility of developing dental infections.

The other reason is the pain that can occur when brushing the teeth.

If the dog feels pain every time it is groomed, it will associate this event with painful sensations.

So the next time you want to do the same, he will run and bark at you.

That’s why it’s best to wait at least a week before returning to your dental hygiene habits. [5]

There is at least 10 reasons why a dog wont let you brush his teeth.

New Tooth–Brushing Techniques

Begin by introducing your dog to toothpaste.

It is important that you avoid using human toothpaste for your dog at all cost.

You will do this by applying it to your finger or their toy.

You should allow them to lick the toothpaste.

Give them lots of fuss and praise.

Repeat this process every day for the next three to five days. [6]

Later place your finger with toothpaste inside your puppy’s mouth.

Gently massage their teeth and gums.

This helps to get your pet used to the new toothpaste.

Also, the feeling of having their mouth handled by the owner.

Feel when the dog is getting used to this process.

When this happens, introduce the toothbrush to them. [7]

Start with a few teeth, and then grow the number of teeth you clean.

Owners should lift the pet’s lips.

So that they can brush the outer surface of every tooth.

There are also other options that will help you clean the dogs teeth without brushing them.

Owners shouldn’t open their pet’s mouth and brush the inside of their teeth.

Most dogs will not like this.

And it is unnecessary since their tongue keeps the inside of the teeth clean.

Antibiotics and Pain Relievers

After the operation, the effect of the anesthesia expires.

Because of this, a pain that is hard to bear begins to appear.

For this, the vet will probably recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

These are drugs that reduce pain but also prevent inflammation in the gums. [8]

The following drugs are approved by the FDA for dog use:

  • Carprofen
  • Deracoxib
  • Firocoxib Grapiprant
  • Meloxicam

But none of them should be administered before consulting a veterinarian.

They can be given orally or parenterally.

Antibiotic therapy is given as prophylaxis against the occurrence of a dental infection.

Because the gums are sensitive, it is possible to easily get an infection in the blood vessels.

The most commonly prescribed are Clindamycin and Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid. [9]

Recognize Post-Procedure Complications

It is crucial to continue monitoring your pet’s healing after the dental cleaning.

Even when they are in agony, pets frequently display no signs of discomfort.

Following dental surgery, there are certain subtle symptoms of pain to watch out for.

Call the vet if your pet exhibits any of the following symptoms:

  • Dislike for favorite chew toys
  • Slipping while trying to eat
  • Pain or aggression when you touch their face
  • Halitosis
  • Pawing the ground or other objects
  • Extreme drooling
  • Swelling close to the injury
  • Loss of fluid from the eyes
  • Around-the-eyes swelling

These symptoms may reveal an underlying infection or unbearable pain.

If left untreated, this can lead to the formation of abscesses and even sepsis. [10]

Why is My Dog Shaking After Dental Cleaning?

Your dog is shaking after dental cleaning because of the effects of anesthesia.

They can be feeling disoriented, nauseous, or feel cold.

You can help heal by changing the food and the dental routine.

We wrote an entire guide of what you can expect after a teeth cleaning here.

If the dog doesn’t go back to normal, you should contact your vet immediately.

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