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.

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. 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.

[.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.