What is your routine for dental health?

Nothing cleans teeth like nature's toothbrushes--the tendons, ligaments and bones of raw food. However even feeding nothing but raw, the front teeth and canines don't get the work out they would eating a real carcass. No ripping and tearing. So I brush their front teeth every other day with an enzymatic toothpaste. Prevention is always easier than a cure. Bully sticks (beef pizzle) are completely digestible. Fillion loves them, Koko won't touch 'em.
 
My dogs don't like bully sticks and I don't feed raw. I use ProDen Plaque Off daily in their food (you only need a pinch) and after about two months the improvement in their teeth was enormous. It's an Icelandic kelp product that works with the saliva to eliminate plaque.

I also spay Oxyfresh in their mouths a few times a week and brush weekly with a dental toothpaste. This regimen works well for us.
 
Watson's Mom said:
Watson is three and has had I think 3 cleaning so far. He had the first when he went in to be neutered.... if I can cut back on how many times he goes for that, I'll try just about anything. I hate having to put them under.
Click to expand...

Just wanted to say that you might just have one of those shelties (like some people) that is prone to dental build up. Miss Hanna is 15.5 months old now and her teeth are spotless white, her gums looks amazing too. She gets fed kibble, and for a long time we were doing greenies 3 times a week, but I ran out a month ago and still haven't got a new bag. I did get her 2 beef knuckle bones that she is allowed to chew on outdoors only. I do not brush her teeth or use water additives - but I will when and if needed.

When I had the 2 shelties together one had absolutely gorgeous teeth ( cleaned once in 8 years) and the other needed a cleaning, under anesthetic, every 2 years. They were from the same breeder and fed the exact same diet. Genetics!

As an aside I just took my 92 year old mother in law to the dentist - she has only one tooth missing (cracked and had to be pulled last year), one crown, no cavities and the teeth & gums of a 40 year old according to the dentist. Amazing considering she had a stroke that had her in hospital for 3 months with minimal dental hygiene during that time. Genetics!
 
I resisted the "pizzles" as long as I could but now, well, they are here to stay.

I got great results with meat knuckles too. On the shelties they are great. The shepherd is such a power chewer he could break off pieces even of the largest I could find. That's when I wanted to find something fully digestable.

My dogs don't care at all for antlers. I will be trading with my friend whose dog loves antlers but my friend doesn't like the bully sticks because they can be messy (mine aren't at all messy with them).
 
EJHUNTL said:
Just wanted to say that you might just have one of those shelties (like some people) that is prone to dental build up.
Click to expand...
This is what I've been figuring was the case. It also doesn't help that his jaw and bite misalignment keeps his mouth open all the time, just a little.

So far it's been about once a year for cleanings. I've accepted the cost as just part of his routine care but if I can stretch it to even every two years I'll be cutting his anesthesia time in half. So I'll definitely try a lot of the things other folks have had success with!
 
Ann said:
I use ProDen Plaque Off daily in their food (you only need a pinch) and after about two months the improvement in their teeth was enormous. It's an Icelandic kelp product that works with the saliva to eliminate plaque.
Click to expand...

I never heard of ProDen Plaque Off before and I did an online search...
Seems like a great product however I found this about side effects...

Are there any side effects?
There are no known side effects, however, due to the rich iodine content of seaweed, this product may not be suitable for animals undergoing thyroid treatment. If unsure, consult your vet for advice before starting using ProDen PlaqueOff.

That is a concern for me as one of my shelties must be on Thyroid meds for the rest of his life.

Just thought this may not be the right product for him. Knowing that MANY shelties have Thyroid issues... we need to be aware...
 
I use raw pork necks mostly occasionally I will give them pig feet (raw of course) My oldest dog is almost 11, never had to have his teeth cleaned.
 
Mom2Melli said:
I get the USA made ones and they don't smell bad nor do they make a mess on the floor (can't figure that out, they just nibble the ends).

.
Click to expand...

Can you tell me the name/brand of what you get? I tried them once with Toby & Trace & the smell was disgusting.
 
I got ones from PetFlow.

I think it was the Heartland ones. Made in USA from USA cows.

I got the 12 inch ones.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top