Teeth Brushing

[Robyn and Ciara]

Hi, How many of you brush your dogs teeth? What kind of tooth brush and tooth paste do you use? How do you do it? :032 Robyn

[love2ryd]

:054 I would definitely be interested in this information too. I have always used my groomer for this but I just switched and the new groomer doesn't do it. Looks like it's up to me now. :021

[Herbette]

I brush Flash's teeth weekly. Flash loves his teeth brushed, I think more because he loves the taste of his toothpaste than anything else.

When I brush my teeth in the morning, he comes in hoping he'll get his teeth brushed too.

Flash does real well using a doggie toothbrush.

[Maxwells Mom]

I have tried to brush Simba's teeth a couple times. I used a regular looking toothbrush for dogs and I don't remember the name of the toothpaste, but it was meat flavored (ICK). Anyway it became such a struggle with him that I stopped doing it and have the vet take care of his teeth.

[johnwa]

It's probably a good idea to add teeth brushing to your regular "list of things to do" for your dog. It really isn't difficult at all. A few things to remember:

1). NEVER use human toothpaste on a dog. Always use either a VET recommended product or an over-the-counter product that is specifically designed for dogs; it will say it on the package. Why? Well because some human toothpastes contain ingredients that may be very harmful to a dog, and the taste is also a strong consideration.

2). Brushing your dogs teeth is not a total replacement for veterinarian care of the teeth. You will need to consult with your VET regarding when a professional teeth cleaning is necessary.

3). Your dog may give you a hard-time when you put the toothbrush in his mouth. The key here is to get your dog used to the various grooming activities while they are still puppies.

[Robyn and Ciara]

How important is brushing the dogs teeth? I feed my dogs Eukanuba,I have never had a problem with any of my dogs teeth.I was just wondering if I was a bad dog mother because I don't do this. My vet has never mentioned it to me.:D Robyn

[Collett and Charlie]

I brush Charlie's teeth every 1-2 weeks. I make a paste out of baking soda and water. He knows when he see's that little bowl and toothbrush that it's time!! I sit on the kitchen floor, he comes over and lays on his back with his head between my legs and let's me go at it! The only thing that makes it difficult is he's constantly licking the whole time. We get it done though and then he goes straight to "his" cupboard to get his treat. He knows what's up!!!;)

[goldenloverof2]

I brush both of my dogs teeth once a week. If you have an older dog that is not used to it get one of the finger toothbrushes for more control and just cup your hand over their nose to keep the head where you want it. If you have a puppy of course start now. I started both mine when they were puppies and they love it. I use four paws pet dental. I used to use natural toothpaste for dogs but they absolutely hated it. Soemtimes you just have to experiment to see what your dog likes. do make surer it is soft bristled!! good luck<img border=0 src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3dd25b3127cce9552118b01340000001610" />

[messano]

A dog should NEVER need his teeth brushing if he is fed a correct biologically appropriate diet.
One of the biggest problems in dogs nowadays is periodontal disease caused by feeding dogs commercial diets.
This can be totally avoided if a dog is allowed to use his teeth as nature intended, ie ripping and crushing flesh and bone. This action massages the gums and cleans the teeth naturally and will allow them to last a life-time.
If you do not wish to feed a dog a natural diet, at least give him a raw meaty bone a few times a week to chew on and you will never need to worry about cleaning the dogs teeth again.
Vets have a lot to answer for in the generally poor condition in the oral health of dogs today.
They first encourage owners to feed commercial diets and then reap the rewards when a dogs teeth become progressively rotten and gum disease sets in which in turn causes kidney disease and other health issues in the dog and involves huge sums of money to try and repair the damage.
It is also a disgrace that a dog should ever have to be anesthetized in order to remove plaque and detritus from a dogs teeth caused by an inappropriate diet.
We have a dog of thirteen years of age who has teeth that would put many 3 year olds to shame, they are still white and strong with pink healthy gums.

Paul Seamons
www.***********************

[love2ryd]

Jump Back Jack:204

[CanadianGolden423]

messano-
Some people choose not to feed their dogs anything raw due to health dangers. What should those people do, in your opinion?

[Rosebud53161]

I was told most bones aren't good for dogs as they splinter in thier intestines and cause alot of digestion problems...besides causing some health risks with diseased food not being cooked.

[johnwa]

To Messano.

You make an interesting point. Thank you.
But I'm not clear on specifically what it is you feed your dogs and what you recommend that your clients feed the pups that they purchase from you. Please explain.
I realize that dog food, in general, is a HIGHLY debated issue anywhere you look. In fact, over the passed three years, I've had to break-up many a fight over the issue of "dog food".<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/laugh.gif" />&nbsp; Some people have some very strong opinions on what type of food to feed a dog. But after all, they are just that, opinions. And as *************** pointed out, what if the owner of a dog does not want to feed their dogs a diet that you suggest?

[messano]

As you have probably guessed, we feed our dogs a diet based on raw meaty bones. I have no wish to stir up any debate reference the diet, I am already too aware of the heated discussions that this subject can cause. The sad fact is that with a soft-textured commercial diet the teeth DO suffer and almost always require regular brushing and in many cases descaling by a vet to remove the calcus.
One of the reasons that we decided to try an alternative diet was to improve the oral hygeine of our dogs.

We do not push our puppy purchasers in any particular direction when it comes to diet and wait for the subject to be raised by them. We actually supply them with 2 diet sheets, one raw based and one a commercial diet which we give them to take home with their puppy.
They are then free to choose.
Approximately 50% of puppy purchasers decide to continue to feed the natural diet because they can see the evidence of the good health of our dogs.

For those who do not wish to feed a natural diet due to unfounded bacterial fears, I am afraid that the only advice I can give them is to buy a tooth brush and be prepared for veterinary assistance in descaling their dogs teeth at regular intervals.

Paul Seamons
www.***********************

[CanadianGolden423]

I ask about the choices for non-raw diet advocates only because I have never given my dogs raw meat, and don't plan to. However, all of their teeth have always stayed very clean and white through old age. I have never had to have any of my dogs' teeth scaled. They are fed a quality commerical diet. They also regularly chew on things such as natural rawhide chips, sticks, safe rope toys, and other chewable toys (like nylabones). I wonder if my dogs are unusual or if this is a suitable way for them to exist.

Samra

[Goldenheart]

<span style="font-family:georgia; color:green;">Ok, here's one for ya. How about an apple.<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/eyes.gif" />
I know eating an apple makes our teeth feel cleaner so won't it also help with a dogs<img border=0 src="http://www.topgoldenretrieversites.net/smiles/054.gif" />

<img border=0 src="http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL77/859893/1554129/21153187.jpg" /></span>

[TOFsLady]

Messano: I went to your site and tried to go to the page that gives an example of the diet you feed. My anti-virus software shut it down. Might want to check that.

[goldenloverof2]

That is soooo funny I thought my dog only ate apples. It's nice to know their is another golden out there like mine that eats it core and all. He loves it!!!

[mybunnyisfunny1]

Yikes! I just wanted to say that it probably isn't a good idea to let your dog eat the apple core. I've read that the seeds contain something harmful (possibly arsenic) which can build up in the dog's system over time.

I don't mean to alarm you, but I know I read that somewhere.

Erin

[goldenloverof2]

Wow!! I had no idea thank you for that info. he has only had 3 or 4 in his lifetime. Should I be worried?<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/frown.gif" /> thanks Terry

[Goldenheart]

<span style="font-family:georgia; color:black;">Our girl doesn't eat the core, just about half the apple<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/laugh.gif" />

I haven't myself heard anything about the seeds of the apple so I don't know nothing of that.<img border=0 src="http://www.topgoldenretrieversites.net/smiles/003.gif" /></span>

[timberwolfe13ca]

Apple seeds can cause varied toxic effects according to one web site I have bookmarked.

www.uexplore.com/health/poisonplants.htm (http://www.uexplore.com/health/poisonplants.htm)

Don't know what that means, better safe than sorry. No more cores.

[Robyn and Ciara]

Thank-you for posting that link for poisonous plants. I just came back from buying all my seeds for my garden.(its a fun thing to do in the middle of a snow storm like MA. is having today)Ihave booked marked and printed the list. I never knew how many plants are bad for dogs . thanks again Robyn:032

[GoldenLover]

YIKES!!!!! Seems like most plants are poisonous..My pups are always playing tug of war with ivy that grows over my fence. I'll have to make sure it's removed when we take the old one down and put the new one up..UGH
http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL137/669548/1544480/18095735.jpg

Oh yeah Robyn!!!! I'm in CT and am having snow today too!!!

[Marie39]

It would be great if someone had a list of foods that are toxic or even highly discouraged for our goldens and would post. I am sure I don't know all of the things we should not feed or even keep away from the dog. Beyond the obvious chocolate....what else?

[johnwa]

<img border=0 src="http://www.topgoldenretrieversites.net/smiles/021.gif" />&nbsp;There seems to be some disagreement in the medical world about exactly which foods, and in what quantity, can be harmful or fatal to your dogs. For example, chocolate is supposedly very bad for dogs. But I have heard (and know of) several dogs that have accidently ingested vast amounts of chocolate, and have lived to bark about it! So take this list with a grain of salt (but don't give it to the dog, of course). <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/laugh.gif" />

<a href = "http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1939&articleid=1030" target="_blank">pet education</a>

[Marie39]

Thank you for the list on foods to avoid johnwa.

[porschelouise]

I brush Porsche Louise's teeth about twice a week. I use a doggie toothbrush, and poultry (yuk) toothpaste from the vet. I have 2 brushes I use: one is a "regular" looking one, and another is a little brush you stick on the end of your finger - its rubber, with little bristles. I let her lick the rubbery one, and ultimately bite on it, and I can get her teeth brushed really well. Another trick is to get her to pick something up, as most retrievers will do. If she thinks I am going to play "keep away" she will hold whatever (I have used a washcloth) in her mouth, biting down, and I can get to her teeth that way also. I have a pic of her getting her teeth brushed in the comical section, I believe...