Oral care

[natronlee]

What do you use for taking care of their mouths?

 

[bayareacpl]

A brush and dog safe toothpaste, as well as dental chews and toys

 

[pes]

My wet told me that if the sticks worked, we would be chewing them. So that is that. I brush.

 

[bayareacpl]

Ngl I've tried brushing my boy's teeth a lot in the past but its a mix of it being a huge pain and them getting too distracted. Its such a massive chore. So I opt for the dental chew sticks instead unless it's a special occasion. Do the majority of people really brush their dog's teeth? Hope that doesn't make me a bad person.

I make no value judgment.

My dogs (and cats) are highly trained. Like the stuff you see on tv. For example, my cats use the toilet, and my dogs will do things like walk backwards between my legs if I command it.

I brush all of their teeth. The dogs are flawlessly simple. They don’t move a muscle without permission. The cats don’t like it and wiggle if you extend the process too long, but they tolerate it.

 

[pes]

The dental plaque solidifies in 48 hours. My vet dentist told me that brushing daily is required.
It is just marketing, brushing is needed.

 

[bayareacpl]

Wait so it is just a marketing gimmick or do they only work so well? Obviously they are inferior to brushing but just curious how well they work.

They work a little, but they’re definitely no substitute to the brush. I have both a stick brush and a fingertip cap.

Another thing that seems to help is both the dogs and cats get to eat a decent amount of raw bone and cartilage

 

[bayareacpl]

Hm okay. Unfortunately I was uneducated about brushing when either of my boys were younger so that was neglected. Might have to start trying again. Thanks!

I have no experience attempting to start the practice on an adult dog, but we just used treat based reinforcement until other positive reinforcement could replace that.

 

[pes]

Use a pipe or something he can bite onto and teach him to stay like that. You get access to his teeth and his head will be fixed in place a bit better.

 

[bayareacpl]

Use a pipe or something he can bite onto and teach him to stay like that. You get access to his teeth and his head will be fixed in place a bit better.

That’s a better method than what we do. Why didn’t I think of that?

 

[Blacksoul]

As always, opinions differ on this matter. I have never brushed my dogs' teeth; they receive naturally dried beef skin and raw beef ribs as a daily snack. Their teeth are always beautifully white. Neither of them has bad breath, which I believe is also related to the high-quality food they consume.

 

[bayareacpl]

As always, opinions differ on this matter. I have never brushed my dogs' teeth; they receive naturally dried beef skin and raw beef ribs as a daily snack. Their teeth are always beautifully white. Neither of them has bad breath, which I believe is also related to the high-quality food they consume.

My animals eat home made food as well, and it definitely makes a difference.

 

[InnerSteedOfZod]

It's good to know all of this information. I've have to keep this in mind for when I get a dog.