Tending to those pearly whites

[EdieBird]

I'm trying to teach GingerSnap to let me brush her teeth...HOW does one do that? And could anyone offer suggestions on teaching my old Shepherd to let me brush HIS teeth?

Sport flaps his tongue and slobbers horribly when I brush his teeth, and that's a losing battle. That much drool makes me retch! Needless to say he had to have four teeth pulled earlier this year.

GingerSnap sees the toothbrush and starts bouncing. She likes to chew the bristles. Is bristle chewing an effective tooth-brushing method? (as long as I inspect the brush for any loose or torn out bristles?)

Also, is there any particular doggy toothpaste that is better then the rest? Right now I'm using Hartz Health Mesures Beef Flavor ToothPaste for Pets. GingerSnap likes it (and in fact will hide the tube in her cubby hole if she gets a chance), Sport, not so much.

[Suzanne R]

A little bristle-chewing is probably not a bad way to "introduce" them to brushing. I get a CET brush and "poultry" toothpaste from my vet. Lexie chews bones really well, and keeps her teeth nice and clean; Jack's not so good about bones, so I do brush his when I remember. Just start by touching (or brushing) a toothbrush on their teeth maybe for a few seconds, or as long as they'll allow it - don't push it, just let them tell you when they've had enough. Gradually increase the "touching" or brushing time, very slowly, and eventually they will at least tolerate it. Some folks have used medicated pads to wipe teeth off; I guess that's better than nothing. And MUCH cheaper than the vet cleaning! I've heard raw chicken necks are good for teeth cleaning, too.

[Julian&MistyMom]

Julian allows me to brush his teeth, but he is a great bristle chewer on his own too. ( I also inspect the brush regularly.) Misty hates getting her teeth brushed, but I think because she views me as her leader ( or mother), she allows it. I always let her lick the brush a little before I go in. She likes the poulty flavoured tooth paste. ( I use the same brushes and paste as Suzanne.) My Golden is an easy going doll and lets me do anything to her. A year ago Julian had a dental..this was when he first came to us, and he had to have 13 teeth removed. Broke my heart. This year he didn't need a dental at all. Misty's teeth looked wretched a year ago when we got her, but the vet didn't want to put her through a dental, as she had just had major surgery. This year, she doesn't even need one!! :happy030: I'm so happy!!:cheer:

[Melisande]

Patience and persistance LOL. :Sun2:

I usually try to brush Dragons as good as I can, and then I let him chew it on his own for bit.

On that note, try to brush a CATS teeth... I still have a scar...

[EdieBird]

On that note, try to brush a CATS teeth... I still have a scar...

LOL I don't EVEN try to brush my cat's teeth! He's a 20 pound monster!

[Bobbiesmom]

Bobbie is not fond of it, but she tolerates it...I use the little plastic toothbrush that fits over the finger (like a finger puppet) with the CET poultry-flavored toothbrush.

We introduced it by letting her sniff it & lick it first (she LOVES the toothpaste). Gradually, we graduated to holder her down on her back & brushing her teeth. Now, she submits to it b/c she knows she gets to lick the toothpaste off the toothbrush afterwards! We also tend to give her CET chew afterwards, so she has positive associations about the whole process.

[digdug]

I order form ]www.felineintincts.com[/B] --Leba III , $40 +s/h
Kmp_tx had in on a reply will the dental subject came up about a month ago. This is the main website : http://www.lebalab.com/

I had a couple who will not let me brush and they don't chew on things even to get to help keep them clean.

I odrer by phone , she was nice and has recipes for dogs raw and cook if youwant. I was ordering while drive the interstate, so I realy did not talk with her about the diet.

[Ellie]

I brush Buffy and Tucker every day. I tried the cats once each, I have the scars to prove it. Both dogs are very tolerant, even ole Grumpy Guy Tucker, and he'd never had his teeth brushed until almost a year ago. He growls sometimes, but I just ignore him, it's hard to bite someone with a toothbrush jammed between your teeth.

[smilee1079]

I am about to buy fragaria vesca from www.abchomeopathy.com.

It is a little pellet you have them swallow and it automatically loosens tartar. It is good for humans too.

Dosage: 1 pellet a day for 30 days if there is tartar and then once a week for maintenance. I am getting the 3c dosage.

[LUVMYGUNNER]

Stacy let me know how you like it.

[Girrl's mom]

I'd like to know if it works too. I have been using the Leba III for over a month and don't see any difference. How long does it take? Got it from same place as digdug, it was the cheapest. They are now sending me updates on the pet food recall because I am a customer.

[digdug]

Hello Anita,

from:

http://www.felineinstincts.com/orderNow/lebaIIInaturalcatanddogteethcleaner.html
Leba III

Leba [COLOR="Sienna"]III Success Stories...Here

Leba
I has not recieved my order , I should on Monday.

I have not heard of it;I am going to check out the www.abchomeopathy.com.

[smilee1079]

People on another board have used the fragaria and loved it. So hopefully it will work well. I am ordering tomorrow. It is only $5 and change plus shipping makes it a little over $10.

[digdug]

Did they say what the timeline is on how soon they see someting on the other board?- is the reponds on humans or both dogs an people?

I know some one that is sensitive to strawberry- lite food allergy.
I see the slight chance of a reaction that could occur .
It it would for dogs , It is WAY cheaper than LebaIII and LebIII has alchol in it ,too which makes me a little nerveous. But, I would like to avoid dental at the vet.


this is off that site regarding :fragaria vesca on 2006-08-0s
FRAGARIA VESCA
Wood-strawberry
(FRAGARIA)

Acts on digestion and mesenteric glands. Prevents formation of calculi, removes tartar from teeth and prevents attacks of gout. The fruit has refrigerant properties. Strawberries produce symptoms of poisoning in certain susceptible individuals, such as urticarial rashes (strawberry anaphylaxis). Here give Fragaria high potency.

Chilblains; worse during hot weather. Lack of mammary secretion. Psilosis (Spruce).

[HawaiiDoxieLover]

What I do is let them lick the toothpaste off the brush first. Then brush the fronts, sides, then back teeth, then let them lick the toothpaste off the brush again as another 'reward'.