Teeth Cleaning

[Sunny]

Ra is my little potty mouth, so I will hunt him down to his reluctance if he goes more than a day but once he is given a nuzzle, placed on the bathroom counter, and then we exchange head butts (a reluctant love you but you are up to something), he feels better. He's a sensitive guy, after Advantage treatment he thinks brushing = medicine or bad, so he will run from me and easily spooked for up to 72 hours until I convince him it's brush time.

 

[Angie Panczak]

I buy chicken necks and they get one a day as part of the raw diet. Usually stores that sell raw pet food should have packages of chicken necks. It works great.

 

[Wyldthingz]

After working at a vet and seeing those that have brushed their dog's or cat's teeth over the years- it doesn't do a whole lot in the long run. Chewing, gnawing on raw cartilage-type bones are the best. I have a 15 year old dog that has eaten raw bones all her life and she has never needed a dental. Some cats won't eat them but it is always worth a try. Bad teeth and gums will throw an over abundance of bad bacteria into the system which in turn can cause kidney failure. I have seen kidney values turn around after an animal with bad teeth and gums after they have their teeth done. There are huge risks to having veterinary dentals as well. The sedation first of all but there is always a risk for nerve damage from dental cleaning procedure, especially where dead/rotten teeth must be removed. I have even seen deafness occur as a result of a dental, bad reaction to the anesthesia. Prevention is your best defense.

 

[Sunny]

That's not an option for me and I doubt those owners who brush are as committed, no offense to you or those animals of owners you helped. It must be thorough, just getting a little taste is futile. A potty mouth is just that. Like humans, those who brush a couple times a week MIGHT be perfectly OK for the short term but good dental health means doing -something- about it.

 

[Wyldthingz]

That's not an option for me and I doubt those owners who brush are as committed, no offense to you or those animals of owners you helped. It must be thorough, just getting a little taste is futile. A potty mouth is just that. Like humans, those who brush a couple times a week MIGHT be perfectly OK for the short term but good dental health means doing -something- about it.

Trust me, I would sell them their toothpaste and tooth brushes regularly. These were dedicated tooth-brushers and their animals already had expensive dentals. They were trying to prevent more future problems. I am just telling you what I saw as effective. Tooth brushing may help to a certain degree certainly, but I wonder how much is just a means to sell more veterinary products? I remain the skeptic.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I have to guess it DOES help, because it helps us humans to brush our teeth regularly... but Kelly has a point, most owners may not be as scrupulous about the routine for kitty or doggy that they are for themselves... great that you are Sunny and hope to hear in five years time or more how your cats' teeth are doing for this also!

 

[Hericane]

Our raw food provider (Totally Raw Dog Food NB) sells a bag of raw chicken necks and Spencer loves crunching down on them. Since he has been consuming the necks his breath has had a MAJOR improvement.

Spencer likes them so much he eats about 3 raw necks a week. I would definitely recommend the necks for dental care. Its so easy, he enjoys them and I don't have to try brushing his teeth, which I can see that being a challenge.

 

[Angie Panczak]

Also raw necks are a perfect meat to bone ratio. If you do raw you could do just meat organ and supplements in one meal and neck in the second. They do a really good job in cleaning and also
Stimulating the gums.