Do you brush your dogs teeth?

[charlestongirl]

Growing up I never heard such a thing. Now I know it's important.

I have 2 lab mixes and at first I didn't brush their teeth, I wasn't really aware of dogs oral health and brushing their teeth. I did learn from the vet, and they have always had good oral health, but recently there has been some plaque build up.

I have started brushing their teeth more regularly. I was aiming for once or twice a week, but I read somewhere it should be done daily.

I was wondering how many of you brushed your dogs teeth daily, or less frequently, if at all, and any tips? I know it's a matter of getting them used to it. My dogs are a bit of a challenge as they start to lick and I can't keep their mouths open for long. But I'm determined!

[BC_MoM]

Yes, when I think about it! :) I have vanilla flavour for them - it makes their breath smell great and they love it.

[binka_nugget]

I used to brush Kai's teeth.. but very rarely. Maybe once every couple of months. :p

Now they don't get their teeth brushed. They get RMBs almost daily though. :)

[charlestongirl]

Well I don't feel too bad then, I was thinking everyone would tell me they brush their dogs teeth all the time and I'm a bad fur momma! LOL Hey what are RMB's? Do they help?

Mmmm Vanilla toothpaste, I might have to switch. I don't know what this stuff is from the vet, but it stinks bad! What's the point LOL?

[BC_MoM]

Now they don't get their teeth brushed. They get RMBs almost daily though. :)

I actually heard that RMB's are bad because they are so hard that they can damage teeth, so I've stopped feeding them. There was a discussion about them on the Border Collie Rescue board I asked you to join when you started fostering Kuri.

[binka_nugget]

I actually heard that RMB's are bad because they are so hard that they can damage teeth, so I've stopped feeding them. There was a discussion about them on the Border Collie Rescue board I asked you to join when you started fostering Kuri.

Oh haha.. my bad. :p I check the board regularly but I usually only go into the Canada rescue section.

RMB's are raw meaty bones. I don't give beef bones regularly for a couple reasons.. I always supervise my dogs when they get bones. I can't be bothered to watch 3 dogs chew on bones for more than a couple minutes. I also don't give them because I'm afraid of one of them chipping a tooth. I'm not too worried about Kai but Kaedyn already had damage done to his teeth before coming here, and Kuri will absolutely damage his teeth if I let him. They get chicken and turkey bones almost daily though. They break down very easily, the dogs LOVE chewing on them, and I don't have to brush their teeth anymore! :)

[wolf_Q]

Yes, I'm obsessive about Nebo's teeth, they are brushed either daily or several times per week depending on how busy I am.

[chocolatepuppy]

I tried with Lacey when she was a pup, forget it. :rolleyes: I am brushing Laylas teeth each weekend when we do the ear cleaning, nail trimming routine. She doesn't seem to mind...yet. ;)

[Lady's Human]

Brush Lady's teeth?

No thanks, I prefer to keep all my fingers attached to my hands! :p

[GreyhoundGirl]

I tried to brush them !... once. :o Her teeth aren't that bad anymore, Nutro did an AMAZING job. :D

[Suki Wingy]

Whenever I remember to which is usually about twice a month.

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

Nope, not anymore. They get RMBs instead and it works much better. If I do see some plaque on their teeth, I'll try and get it off with a tooth brush but that's as far as my dogs' teeth brushing goes. However, before my dogs started getting RMBs, I brushed their teeth three times a week.

[CathyBogart]

Nope, I give him lots of RMBs. :)

[Giselle]

Nope, we do RMB's, too. I just wanted to add that teeth can crack if you frequently give your dog hard weight-bearing bones like cow femurs. However, lighter bones can provide the same benefits. I rarely feed Giselle any weight-bearing bones now. Her teeth are pearly white on chicken carcasses.

[CathyBogart]

Ditto what Giselle said. I think the beef ribs I give Jasper are what does the most cleaning, but they're still soft enough that I have no worries about him cracking his teeth.

I give him recreational bones like femurs *occasionally*, but I watch him closely and remove them after a short time.

[dragondawg]

each brushing would have probably resulted in a tube of doggy toothpaste being eaten.

My previous dog had her teeth cleaned at 5 and 7 yrs. For now I'm keeping an eye on the gumline, and if inflamation occurs then cleaning and a short course of antibiotics should do the trick of clearing things up.

[.sarah]

I feed my dogs a raw diet, and their teeth are sparkling clean :) Before I fed raw I only brushed their teeth once in a blue moon.

[Chica]

Chica has plaque on her teeth and it gives her bad breath. I started cleaning her teeth recently. I am going to make an appointment with the vet to give her a good cleaning. This will be her first time. Chica is only 2 1/2 years old. :)

[bckrazy]

Gonzo & Fozzie both have good breath & totally white teeth from eating Raw. I will brush their teeth maybe once or twice a week, but I don't think brushing could ever do what RMB's do for a dogs teeth. I mostly just do it out of habit, because I used to brush Gonzo's teeth daily, and because they like the flavor of their toothpaste.

[buttercup132]

Nope, I give him lots of RMBs. :)Me too. Much easier then struggling with your dog and forcing them into something they dont want to do when you could eaily throw them a bone and they will be happy.

[wolf_Q]

Me too. Much easier then struggling with your dog and forcing them into something they dont want to do when you could eaily throw them a bone and they will be happy.

Not every dog "struggles" with this, Nebo loves having his teeth brushed. If he just sees the toothbrush he comes running. There is no struggling or forcing involved, he enjoys it.

I brush dogs teeth all the time at work, very few give me any trouble about it. Usually dogs only have a problem with it if they have sore teeth and gums because of lack of dental care or they just aren't used to it.

[cyber-sibes]

I've never even tried. But Nebo, you've given me hope! Maybe I'll brave those mouthfuls of teeth & give it a try, Sherman's "fish breath" can be pretty overpowering sometimes.
I do give them raw chicken with bones occasionally to clean their teeth. Last trip to the vets, he told me Star has cracked several teeth chewing on something & suggested I don't give her any more bones. Hmmm, I thought chicken bones were soft enough, no? I usedd to gve them those large smoked beef bones once in while, maybe she cracked her teeth on those?