Cleaning Dogs Teeth

[lukeskywalker]

I've been researching on the internet and there seems to be a million different ideas about dog's bad breath. Some think it's the tarter, some say it comes from the stomach and some say it is tooth decay. Some say use baking powder, never use human toothpaste, some say use yogurt, etc...etc. Some even refer to pills to give the dogs that not only makes their breath smell good but their fur too!

So, what say the wonderful pet owners of TV about getting and keeping a dog's breath clean? I've bought the Dentastix and I guess they work for a few minutes while the dog is eating them but once she swallows it, it's back to bad breath. Something needs to be cleaned.

The pills recommended were ProDen PlaqueOff and LaSenti-CF. Does anyone know if these products (or ones similar are available in Thailand or would I need to get them shipped over)?

What works for you?

Thanks....

Edited July 31, 2009 by lukeskywalker

[zzaa09]

Dogs aren't human, so please don't attempt to see them and their lives from a species-centred perspective. Canines don't develope 'dental' problems as we do. Throw your mutt a few raw bones from time to time - as allowing nature to do it's stuff.

[elfe]

right so, raw bones (preferrably beef) will keep your dogs teeth white and shiny, your dog happy and busy and if you add some raw meat as well the fur will shine too

if despite raw bones etc the dog still has bad breath and develops lots of tartar then there might be a health problem, like kidney. then get a blood test done. one of my dogs got suddenly very bad breath and i found a rotting chicken bone stuck and a bit grown in in his palate.

[silverhawk_usa]

My Thai Vet said my dog had an excessive amount of tartar and supplied a tube of "doggy" toothpaste to brush with.

[neverdie]

Raw beef bones as previously mentioned are the best thing, briskett bones, like from the rib cage.

If you really must prescribe to the yuppie doggie toothpaste thing then make sure you DO NOT use human toothpaste, I believe it can make ur pooch really sick. Humans arnt even suppose to swallow that stuff.

[Cuban]

Raw bones (never allow your dog to eat cooked bones) will aid descaling their teeth as they chew on the bone. I have used a human tooth brush (no need for paste or powder of any sort) to clean surfaces that don't get scraped during bone munching, sometimes I have used a small piece of wood to scrape off a build up of tartar when I've left it too long between cleans, used with care and avoiding damage to the gum line.

All this of course assumes that your dog is used to you fiddling with their mouth. I started them off with this when they were young pups so they are used to the attention and just lay back in the submit postion while I clean they teeth. That sadi they are on a mostly BARF diet so bones are a normal regular food, they don't suffer with bad teeth nor do they have bad breath. As for the fur - oily fish like mackrel are the best thing - cheaper and more effective than any supliment or capsule like Furmeg 3 etc.