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.

[chocolatepuppy]

I tried with Lacey when she was a pup, forget it. 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!

[GreyhoundGirl]

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

[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.