Brushing your dog's teeth

Natalie Gershon · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 9:30 am Post subject: Brushing your dog's teeth

I have a question for all. Do you guys brush your dog's teeth? Does it improve their breath? coz i know that dog kibbles and some dental toys are good for removing plaque and tartar buildups. Just curious. Very Happy

Corey Allen · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 10:43 am Post subject: just give 'em denta sticks

hi Natalie. well, to be honest i don't really brush my dogs' teeth. i think it would really be hard to do. i just give him denta sticks which my vet says can effectively remove tartar and plaque. i think it works 'coz my dog doesn't have bad breath.

Melissa Canavan · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 11:39 am Post subject:

My dogs are too small (yorkies) so it's gonna be tough to brush their teeth. What I do is that I give them chew toys but with some dental cleaning properties or whatever you call it. Wink

Jeanne Garrett · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 10:42 am Post subject:

you know, I never really tried brushing my dogs' teeth. Do you really have to? I see dog toothbrushes and toothpastes everywhere. i think it's too much work. there are dental toys out there anyway that claim they do the same thing - remove plaque and tartar. Wink

Patrick Ratzenberger · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 12:04 pm Post subject:

My Bud developed a small tartar on his tooth. The vet easily scraped it away and said that I should start brushing his teeth. I was like "say what?!" bud's used to me brushing his teeth that it no longer is a wrestling match for us. I use a finger brush. it's easier and more controllable. Never use human toothpaste cos those can't be swallowed. Dogs cant spit! LOL Laughing

Tanya Saunders · Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 5:09 pm Post subject: denta stix

i don't really brush my dog's teeth. i wouldn't even know how to go about it but i regularly check her teeth. if i see any tartar, i just give her denta stix to remove all those plaque and tartar.

Dagwood · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 11:16 pm Post subject: Dental Care

Dental care is serious business for your dog, especially since he so often uses his mouth to interact with the world. http://dogtime.com/dental-care.html

Keith Kitson · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 12:50 pm Post subject:

When you brush your dog's teeth, wouldn't his breath smell bad pretty soon? Coz dogs drool a lot and they are always biting and licking anything.

Beatrice Dixon · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 1:51 pm Post subject:

I don't really have time to brush my labrador's teeth so I give him chew toys instead which help in dental cleaning. I personally use for him rubber and cotton chew toys which clean his teeth and gums as he chews.

Maia Shearer · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 2:01 pm Post subject:

I think we should brush our dog's teeth whenever we can. I personally just can't let my pet get near me with all the tartar in his teeth. WaaaahhH! I know of some pet owners out there who even kiss their dogs! They better get a special toothbrush/dental treatment for them huh?!

Adam Carr · Skin mite Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 20

do vets offer services like tooth extraction for dogs and cats..?

Maia Shearer · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 2:54 pm Post subject:

Yes, vets do perform tooth extraction in dogs especially when the pet's tooth cannot be saved or the owner chooses not to have other procedures performed. Prior to extraction, of course they perform prophylaxis (dental cleaning) and other standard appropriate treatment procedures before doing any extraction.

ghostcoyote · Newbie Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Posts: 8 Location: Oklahoma

Sky hates having her teeth brushed, but as long as I keep feeding her treats here and there she won’t try to get away. I do this with other things she doesn’t like to do, and now she expects her treats after every bath or brushing. I have something that I used to put in her water too, but I haven’t kept up with it. But I’ve noticed that as long as I brush her teeth and stuff, her breath smells way better and her teeth look better too. Very Happy

Michelle Pilver · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:15 am Post subject:

do you think pets are afraid of dentists, too? just wondering... Wink

Sofia Blackbern · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 9:06 am Post subject:

oh are they scared? perhaps! but then again they wouldn't be so tensed 'coz they don't really understand what's going on unless the vet is already there to treat their teeth.

Carlito Lucas · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:18 am Post subject:

Pets, like humans, are wary of the unfamiliar. This is what makes them apprehensive when you take them to a vet (or dentist) especially when it's your first visit. Guide and encourage your pet whenever you're at the vet to help it get used to vet visits and consultations.

Edith Pope · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:44 pm Post subject:

That's right. Dogs can sense tension quicker than we can. When they go to a vet dentist, they'll get tensed quickly because they are put in an unfamiliar environment with unfamiliar people. This triggers in them the most likely tendency to bite off people or act violently.

To ease the dog's tension when making that ultimate visit to the vet (dentist), perhaps it would be good perhaps to take your dog to the vet a couple of times, weeks before your scheduled appointment. Let your pet be familiar with the environment and with the people. Give it treats and make sure it has a fun, memorable experience with the vet and other people in the clinic so that the next time your dog goes there, he won't feel as tensed and anxious anymore.

Joey Concha · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 7:44 am Post subject:

If you're not comfortable brushing your dog's teeth, you can search for a pet parlor near your place. I think some vet clinics also have pet grooming services on the side.

Amelia Bowman · Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:15 pm Post subject:

Adam Carr · Skin mite Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 20

vet dentists might as well offer tounge-scraping services for dogs since some canines have the habit of sticking their tounges out..

Irvin Zelasko · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 3:21 pm Post subject:

I don't really think a dog's teeth needs brushing but, hey, it won't hurt to have pearly white teeth right? Cool

Jennifer Trenton · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:02 am Post subject:

yes, i brush my dog's teeth. i also provided him chew toys. this way he gets mouth exercise as well as gum massage and tartar buildup prevention.

Douglas Barr · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:21 am Post subject:

I know my dog will be fine even if I don't brush its teeth but I still do it because it is one of my ways of expressing affection. It also provides me and my pet some quality time together which is very important in maintaining a healthy pet-owner relationship.

Irvin Zelasko · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:34 pm Post subject:

You know, Doug, that's a great way to show your pet you care -- by brushing its teeth. You give it the time and attention it deserves plus you also contribute to its dental health! Laughing

Amelia Bowman · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:15 pm Post subject:

good job doug! you're pet is lucky to have an owner like you. caring for his dental health is a great way of showing you care. Wink