Brushing teeth?

[GeeRome]

Dayna - I don't feed raw so would it upset Spencer's system to give him a raw pork hock weekly? And if not, how long do you let them chew on it? And do you have to go to a butcher or do supermarkets have them available. He's actually very good about having his teeth brushed, but your suggestion sounds like an excellent one to try - and he'd probably enjoy it.

It shouldn't bother him at all. The only issue you may run into is that pork is pretty fatty and may result in some splarts. If that is the case, then start out with something less fatty ... a turkey drumstick is great or chicken leg. Same general idea as the pork hock. The benefit with pork hocks is that they come with the thick skin still attached. That skin is fabulous for polishing the teeth! If you are worried about tummy troubles, then you can start with something bland (chicken or turkey) and if that goes alright, start moving up to fattier pieces like pork.

You should be able to get pork hocks at your grocery store. Just be sure to get the raw ones, not the smoked ones.

Feed it instead of supper one night a week as it will fill them right up! I let my guys tear away at it until all the meat is gone and the bone is bare. You can take it away at any time though.

 

[Caro]

How do you brush your pups' teeth? I am having a hard time 1) getting the toothbrush all the way back onto the teeth and 2) getting my pups to stay still while I try to brush. QUOTE]

It took me a long time for my dogs to get used to it and they still dont like it.

I use a toothbrush for a 0-2yr old. This is the way I was taught.

- put some doggie toothpaste on their lips regularly just so they get used to the taste.
- use peanut butter or vegimite or some other yummy stuff at first on the toothbrush.

This is what I was told about dog teeth when I went to life skills classes.
- the biggest problem teeth are what we would call the molars and canines - the ones at the front-side.
- brush the teeth very lightly as tartar build up is softer on dogs and it is easier to brush off the tooth coating.
- there should be no need to brush the inner side of the teeth as the tongue rubbing should remove this.
- if you have problems with getting to some parts of the mouth with a brush just use your finger (again because the build up is softer a rubbing finger with toothpaste can do just as well).

I do mine at the very end of the day when they are pooped out. Plus I still sometimes have to get them in a leg lock but generally they got used to it. You should only be spending a minute doing their teeth anyway as it isn't the same as brushing our teeth.

 

[myminpins]

. You should only be spending a minute doing their teeth anyway as it isn't the same as brushing our teeth.

Actually, it's very similar to brushing our teeth because they can get horrible tartar buildup on their back molars and can easily get cavities if you don't clean their teeth well.

We take about five minutes or so to brush our dogs' teeth as we want them as clean as possible to ensure they have them for their lifetime

 

[pattymaine]

thanks!

I am happy to report that I found the fingertip brushes at Petco this weekend and my pups now have sparkling white teeth. It was easy-so much easier than trying to brush using a toothbrush! Thanks for the suggestion.

This is what I love about this forum--such knowledgeable people who are so willing to help. I hope I can return the favor sometime...so far, I've been the one asking the questions instead of offering solutions.

 

[Caro]

Actually, it's very similar to brushing our teeth because they can get horrible tartar buildup on their back molars and can easily get cavities if you don't clean their teeth well.

We take about five minutes or so to brush our dogs' teeth as we want them as clean as possible to ensure they have them for their lifetime

Not sure what the recommendations are there (and I know this is a fairly new field of vet sci) but the Aust Vet Dental Association recommends brushing teeth for 1 and no more than 2 minutes as there is a risk of removing the protective layer from the dog's teeth. We actually have a 'pet dental week' coming up so they have started issuing statements on brushing which is handy. Must say, my previous dogs never had dental problems even into old age, and I didn't brush their teeth (who did back then) so I guess the right diet makes a world of difference.

 

[myminpins]

Not sure what the recommendations are there (and I know this is a fairly new field of vet sci) but the Aust Vet Dental Association recommends brushing teeth for 1 and no more than 2 minutes as there is a risk of removing the protective layer from the dog's teeth. We actually have a 'pet dental week' coming up so they have started issuing statements on brushing which is handy. Must say, my previous dogs never had dental problems even into old age, and I didn't brush their teeth (who did back then) so I guess the right diet makes a world of difference.

If you are using a soft bristled brush or a finger brush, you CANNOT remove the coating from a dog's teeth. Dog's teeth are exactly the same as human's teeth. The only thing that can remove anything that shouldn't be removed would be a VERY hard bristled brush, inappropriate toothpaste with too much abrasive in it, or something else very abrasive to teeth.

This isn't new around here - and my old dogs and cats still had their teeth but they were in horrid shape, they had major gingivitis and horrendous tartar. We just never thought about it because "they were dogs".

Remember, cats and dogs only live less than 20 years. Teeth are meant to last much longer than that. If you, as a human, eat a horrendous diet and don't brush your teeth until you are 25 or 30 years old, they will be in horrible shape but you MAY be able to save them if you are lucky. Our pets are gone by then so it's never been an issue in the past.

Dogs also used to mostly live outside and "were just dogs" so no one thought about doggie breath, etc. We are a MUCH cleaner, neater, more hygenic society now than we were 100 years ago because we can be.

So brush your dogs' teeth as long as you like - it will do no harm. Just as brushing your own teeth for a long time will do no harm - as long as you are using the proper equipment and supplies.

I'm sure my vet would LOVE me to not brush my dogs' teeth as it's over $300 for a dental job on a tiny dog here now and most of that cost is time so she makes a killing.

My father is also a dentist so I know alllll about teeth Teeth are teeth are teeth are teeth. They are all made of the same material so don't believe everything your veterinary tells you about everything. After all, mine still believes Science Diet is a WONDERFUL food

 

[Caro]

I guess its a matter of what works for each - don't want to get into a disagreement. I know quite a few humans who brushed the enamal off their teeth and my sister actually had to have gum grown for her because of over brushing - just with a normal toothbrushes (cost her a damn fortune). I will stick with the ADVA advice on brushing. Not sure what its like there but I think the the ADVA here really do need to issue more and better advice as there is still confusion. Brushing and dental kibble is still fairly new - I don't remember any dog toothbrushes and dental kibble when my last sheltie went to RB. He never had bad breath and he had lovely white teeth until old age.

 

[Starr]

Yeah, I'm VERY confused on this issue. I bought the little finger tooth brush, but I keep getting told not to brush my puppy's teeth. That food, bones, & toys is all she'll need for her teeth.

 

[Lightplum]

I brush my dogs teeth usually once a week....or thats what I aim for..they do get bones so their teeth are pretty clean...although they do get a mouth scrubbing more often if they find cat tootsie rolls in the yard

 

[Caro]

although they do get a mouth scrubbing more often if they find cat tootsie rolls in the yard

Ha, thats the main reason mine get a brushing too - no licking or kisses after eating wildlife poo unless they've had their teeth brushed! Just that mine eat roo, rabbit or duck poo almost every day. Mind, they get it between their teeth first then look at me as if to say - I will eat this if you don't give me a treat. Little ratbags.