Few pet owners are willing to sit down and brush their pets regularly. (After all, most of us can hardly convince ourselves to floss our teeth.) Even fewer pets are willing to sit down peacefully and let it happen. But pet dental care is important: in the past few years, I personally spent more than $1,000 to deal with the fact that my cat’s teeth rotted from her head.

There is a better choice for dog owners who are trying to brush their teeth for poor Fido. Bristly is a product currently funded on Kickstarter. It is a chew toy that can be used as a toothbrush. The rubber stick that can be coated with puppy toothpaste is equipped with bristles, so you can brush your teeth while the dog is playing.

Its design allows your dog to use it without lifting his fingers. It is shaped like a small spring bar with a flat base. When the dog bites the bristly stick with its teeth, it can stabilize it with its paws. The bristles are coated with meat flavoring to encourage the dog to chew.

It is estimated that 80% of dogs over 3 years of age have some kind of dental disease, so there is a high probability that your dog will need to pay extra attention to the teeth. In addition to avoiding expensive veterinary bills, brushing dogs can also improve their bad breath.

Bristly is available in three sizes and heavy-duty versions, designed for dogs who can easily tear anything that can bite their chin. The Bristly bar is priced at $29 and is scheduled to start shipping in October. Get it here.