Teeth! $$$$$$$!!!!

**Catty1** · 05-10-2006, 10:10 PM

Hi - my boys have tartar on their teeth. Is there a 'toothpaste' anyone has used to remove this, or a gel? I just balk at spending all that money, though of course I will for their health.

Input welcomed!

Catty1

**Jessika** · 05-10-2006, 10:15 PM

Hmm Charlie's are getting pretty bad, too, Jamie's are ok but I don't want to have them get too bad! So I'm wondering the same question!

As far as dental care goes, which products do you find best?? I know there is a liquid plaque/tartar fighting stuff you can put in their water.. is it worth it?

**.sarah** · 05-10-2006, 10:26 PM

Jessica - for dogs you can give them a raw bone and let them have at it! It is a great teeth cleaning tool!

For cats, raw bones would work as well but cats tend to be finicky if it's not something they're used to. Brushing their teeth doesn't really work if the tartar is already there, it's really supposed to be a prevention thing. If it's really bad you probably will have to get them cleaned.

**Jessika** · 05-10-2006, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by .sarah

Jessica - for dogs you can give them a raw bone and let them have at it! It is a great teeth cleaning tool!

For cats, raw bones would work as well but cats tend to be finicky if it's not something they're used to. Brushing their teeth doesn't really work if the tartar is already there, it's really supposed to be a prevention thing. If it's really bad you probably will have to get them cleaned.

Yeah I try getting a knucklebone every time we go to the supermarket but it depends which one we go to. One store has them, one doesn't. But the store that does has them REALLY cheap. They are called "stew bones" or something though, and are less than two bucks!

**Catty1** · 05-10-2006, 11:37 PM

Jessica - do you use the knuckelbones for your cats? (Not quite sure what a knucklebone is LOL)

Catty1

**Jessika** · 05-10-2006, 11:40 PM

You know, I've never even thought to try! I'm sure if I did, Double-Oh would LOVE it, but the dogs would try stealing it..

The last time I got them one I put them on the back porch (for obvious reasons) and the bone DISAPPEARED. It did not fall off the deck, it just vanished! And there was no way they could have eaten it, either. I don't know, its a mystery to me!

But you can check with your local grocery store in the meat department, ask a butcher about knuckle bones or "stew bones". You DO NOT want them cooked! If they are cooked, or smoked, they can splinter and cause lots of problems!

**KitCat** · 05-11-2006, 10:48 AM

Try Greenies dental treats: free samples at smarttreater.com

**moosmom** · 05-11-2006, 11:23 AM

Brush my cat's teeth???

Are you nuts???? I have a hard enough time just getting the boogers outta their eyes.

Mollie Rose (12 year old Tortie) is in desperate need of a cleaning. Unfortunately, the vet that told me so (and charged me a freaking arm and leg to do nothing) charges way too much money (I will NEVER go back to him again). One of these days I'll do it but right now it's not financially possible and she's not having any problems eating.

**Catty1** · 05-11-2006, 01:36 PM

I'll try the little bones and let you know how they work. Also, the aloe gel I keep yakking about does wonders on my teeth...so will get a child's toothbrush(soft) and another pair of arms

and see if it will loosen some of it.

A friend of mine had a vet in BC who could just flick the tartar off with his thumbnail, and showed her how to do it. However, our nails are not like his.

Might try the Greenie treats too! Thanks for the hint!

hugs
Catty1

**moosmom** · 05-11-2006, 02:13 PM

Just be careful with the Greenies. They can stain your carpeting.

**TopCat3** · 05-13-2006, 09:13 AM

Raw chicken wings to chew on are supposed to prevent tartar in cats. However as most cats are used to cooked (canned or pouch) food or dry food there is that look they give you that goes something like...and whaddamisposedtado with THIS may I ask?
Then it gets dragged all round the carpet leaving greasy smells

There are also some things that look like little sushi rolls, come in a foil pouch and are expensive and don't know what they contain but mine found them rather exciting and palatable, but I don't give them now. They just have dental cleaning every 2-3 years and I just grit MY teeth and pay it (and postpone my own dentistry

) I have read on CRF sites that not getting rid of the tartar can help lead to kidney failure and other diseases from the toxins that are released by the gums when there is gingivitis setting in from the tartar. Whiskas also make some little biscuit things that come in a drum called Dentabits, my girls didn't like them much and they are full of additives etc so I didn't encourage them.
Over here you can get little rubber things with soft spikes on to fit on the end of your finger. Then you can spend quality bonding time with your furbaby while they are on your lap, by trying to get their head to stop swinging from side to side and the teeth puncturing the rubber thing and your finger, saliva all over your sleeves...