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DLord

Holly Springs, NC

MH
Posts:89

09/27/2012 1:27 PM
Do you guys brush your dog's teeth on a regular basis? The reason I'm asking is because I find that Archer & Zoe don't always have the most pleasant breath! They have deer & elk antlers to chew on plus other hard rubber type bones. They both get a frozen kong filled with a pnut butter & pup-corn mixture in the morning when they go in their crates. I feed them Acana regionals. And since they are both still young at 19 months, their teeth are still nice and pearly white. I just wondered if anyone else has experienced this and if maybe brushing would help?

everbell

Kanata, ON

MH
Posts:3180

09/27/2012 2:56 PM
I don't but I should. Both have plaque build up on their canines.

Joce and Rich Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs) Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats) The Everbell Adventures

smatulewicz User is Offline

Michigan

MH
Posts:1216

09/27/2012 3:03 PM
I try to a couple times a month at minimum. I figure if I can stay in top of it starting at this age it shouldn't be as bad later on...

mckee.lucie User is Offline

Seattle, WA

MH
Posts:202

09/27/2012 3:24 PM
I should more too...as of now it's when I remember, which is usually ever 2-3 months. I have a hard time finding a way to brush her back teeth, and end up usually feeling like all I get are the front top and bottom row. Any tips on technique for those of you who brush more? Luna just wants to eat the doggy toothpaste and her tongue goes wild making it hard to brush! We give her a greenie daily in the morning, and so far her teeth look good and doesn't have too bad of doggy breath, then again she'll just be turning 2

smatulewicz User is Offline

Michigan

MH
Posts:1216

09/27/2012 3:33 PM
I have this rubber toothbrush that has a big round end that fits in the palm of my hand, and my finger slides into the rubber brush tip. Because of this, I'm not managing a fine handle, and I can really go to town more easily. Bella is absurdly tolerant of anything (see birthday photo LOL), but I do feel like I have more control with this than a regular toothbrush

Rose

MH
Posts:362

09/27/2012 4:02 PM
We never brush our dogs teeth. Our Brittany came to us with a mouth 100% full of plaque and bad breathe. Raw knuckle bones & antlers, plus a change of food has mostly resolved it. Now 95% of the plaque is gone and breath is only slightly doggy. Our GSP has neutral breath. We feed Orijen regional red to both. We avoid feeding wheat treats or products to the dogs (eg. milk bones, etc). Could the corn mixture be adding to the bad breath for your dogs?

kpwlee

Raleigh, NC

MH
Posts:1016

09/27/2012 7:43 PM
I tried to get Bugsy to tolerate getting his teeth brushed when he was young and eventually gave up. When he shuts his mouth, you are not opening it! Fortunately - at age 7 - his teeth are great and he has no bad breath issue. Well since he eats a fish diet it is fairly fishy post-meal which isn't pleasant LOL I give him raw meaty bones - less frequently than I used to because I understand that as they age their teeth aren't as impervious to things as they used to be- but I still try to do it once a month ( it used to be once a week at a minimum) He has always been a chewer so he chews antlers, toys, and anything else you'll give hm. Costco has something called checkups which I bought to try - he loves them - but I can't say if they help or not

It's Bugsy's world... http://dailyzoomie.blogspot.com/

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7921

09/27/2012 9:13 PM
I brush teeth and scale them when they need it. Mine are good about it because I start them when little. They also get raw bones about once a month and have antlers whenever they want them. Their breath is pretty good most of the time. One thing that will give them bad breath is anal glands that need to be expressed. Their breath will have a tinny fishy smell if it is the anal glands. Also a bad tooth or periodontal disease will cause bad breath. With periodontal disease you won't always know it as their teeth can look beautiful, but the problem is under the gums. If the breath is really bad, I would take the dog to the vet and eliminate any dental disease or anal gland issue.

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

DLord

Holly Springs, NC

MH
Posts:89

09/28/2012 6:27 AM
Thanks for the advice! I had never heard that about the anal glands - good to know.

Splat

Illinois (Northern)

MH
Posts:3154

09/28/2012 6:38 AM
I don't think it is so much the teeth brushing that prevents bad breath... bacteria is what causes bad breath... brushing will help get rid of some of that... but if you can try and brush their tongue roof of their mouth, gums but make sure you have a soft brush so you don't make them bleed... good to know about the anal glands...

ckckla

Posts:14

09/28/2012 9:53 AM
Anal glands can be squeezed out by putting your thumb and index fingers positioning at 4 and 8 o'clock with gentle push.. make sure wear something on your hand.. smells so bad.. I do it when I take my GSP a bath, not everytimes.. once in 3mouths or so..

DLord

Holly Springs, NC

MH
Posts:89

10/12/2012 11:27 AM
So, I bought a toothbrush and tooth paste for the dogs and gave it a try. It really seems to help with their breath and I also bought some "checkups" (thanks kpwlee) and they really love those! Brushing their teeth was an absolute hoot! I couldn't stop laughing. Anytime I introduce something new Zoe will go grab a toy, try and keep a comfortable distance while watching me, play growl with the toy in her mouth and wiggle all over. Archer came right up and I started brushing his teeth his tongue was going nuts. Finally Zoe came over and let me brush hers the only problem is Archer likes the toothpaste so much that he kept trying to lick the toothpaste in her mouth while I was brushing!

smatulewicz User is Offline

Michigan

MH
Posts:1216

10/12/2012 11:44 AM
I can picture it!

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