So I wanted to know what everyone's thoughts on this were. The vet gave me a toothbrush and toothpaste for Karli's teeth. She said even though she's going to lose her baby teeth she should still get used to having her teeth brushed. But really, all she wants to do is lick up all the toothpaste. My friend's vet gave her dentasticks for her chihuaha and Karli really liked them. So what are your thoughts on this?

I tried the teeth brushing and it doesn't really work well. Callie's more interested in eating the tooth paste and "killing" the brush. I have used dentastix (also on a chihuahua) and they do help, but he would literally need one all the time for them to be completely effective. What's helped my three most is honestly just plain old bones. They never get bored of gnawing on them and it gets all the build up off.

If we humans only needed to chew on something to clean our teeth, then we wouldn't need to brush or go to the dentist. I brush Kale's teeth twice a day, morning and night. It is a great idea to start brushing early so when they get older and have their adult teeth, it is easier to maintain them. I made it a routine, and now Kale expects it. He gets a special treat afterward as well. Its not the teeth so much that you need to worry about, its the gums. Bacteria can get under the gumline and get into the bloodstream and eventually cause all kinds of problems and start affecting other organs like the heart. So yes, I do advocate for brushing instead of just giving chews.

We do raw so no need for anything but that to get tartar off, We tried brushing and couldn't keep up with it. Lol

arooroomom wrote:

We do raw so no need for anything but that to get tartar off, We tried brushing and couldn't keep up with it. Lol

Let's see... 5 huskies... usually a foster dog or two... the cats... you...
Would you even have time for anything BUT brushing teeth??

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. What's helped my three most is honestly just plain old bones. They never get bored of gnawing on them and it gets all the build up off.

This is great, at what age is it OK that I give her bones? She's not quite three months old yet and I don't want to give her something that she's not ready for yet.

Thanks for all the input guys!!!

You can use dental chews but they will never replace the need for either brushing or raw meaty bones, whichever you prefer. I would definitely get your pup used to brushing now while she's still a puppy, it will be so much easier than waiting until she's an adult and makes brushing a nightmare.

Raw meaty bones once a week can replace the need for brushing if that is something you are willing to do.

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Raw meaty bones once a week can replace the need for brushing if that is something you are willing to do.

O definitely. I had already planned on giving her our leftover chicken bones and such from our meals. Where would I get raw meaty bones? Its an added plus to her diet so that's always a good thing!

Definitely work on the brushing young. I mean Callie puts up a fight, but it's nothing compared to what she would have if I hadn't started from day one.

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This is great, at what age is it OK that I give her bones? She's not quite three months old yet and I don't want to give her something that she's not ready for yet.

Ahhh this is where I'm going to meet controversy. A lot of people aren't okay with how young I gave Callie bones. Granted, the first bone she had, she stole from the older dogs and I didn't realize right away. She was about 3 1/2 months probably. People will say this is too young and I understand why. It can be a lot on their puppy teeth and it can do some damage. But I was sure to monitor Callie every time she had the bone. I would watch her and if she started gnawing a little too hard, I'd take it away. For the most part, I think she just liked having something in her mouth more than anything. She's also not chomping on it all the time, but rather scraping at it.

DO NOT give her cooked bones. Ever. They can splinter and cause a lot of trouble. If you're giving her bones from your food, they need to be raw.
People who are a bit more responsible than me might wait until she's got all her adult teeth. Others still think dogs should never be given bones because they're too rough. I say, you know your dog best. With Callie, there was just something about the manner in which she chewed the bone that didn't caused me to panic. My mom's lab on the other hand, I would have snatched it away from him because he doesn't understand that some things can't be chewed on without hurting him.

Most grocery stores have marrow bones, which is what most people use. They have them smaller precut or you can call the store butcher the day they receive meat and as them to chop the bone and save it for you to pick up.
Most higher end pet store have Nature Variety and Primal bones too.
I brush my dogs teeth every day and give RMB 1-2x a week.

I gave Rogue bones from day one, just watched her. She got smaller cut marrow bones starting at 9 weeks when we got her.

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DO NOT give her cooked bones. Ever. They can splinter and cause a lot of trouble.

Good to know! I had wandered about that but now I know for sure. Gonna have to go check out my pet store today to see have they have bone wise.

Thanks for making this thread! I was about to make my own but searched just incase and found it. I bought a tooth brush for Yuki and am about to try and brush her teeth for the first time.. yay.. but its nice to know I can use bones as a substitute once in a while

I have noticed the best bone for teeth and for attention span is a cow rib. Mine love those.

Mine also like bones and I do find they help keep the teeth nice, I do also brush on occasion as needed. Particularly prior to shows.

Do elk antlers help with teeth like bones?

Ericobeasto wrote:

Do elk antlers help with teeth like bones?

Sure. Mine really like them.

I never suggest hard tines like Elk/deer prongs for puppy teeth. Moose pieces are soft enough there is less worry for breaking teeth.

Well I just want to bring something else up I'm rather surprised hasn't been brought up.

Dentasticks are from Purina. Purina makes crap dog food. Purina makes crap dog treats. Stay away from anything and everything Purina. They are a brand that is out to make money anyway they can and don't care how many pets die in the process. Like the Chicken Jerky.. Purina made two out of the three major killers. PLEASE stay away from anything and everything Purina, Del Monte, Wal Mart.. and and ALL big box brands!!

Karli is losing teeth right now so even getting her mouth opened is hard. But I still brush once a day and so far so good. The occasional raw she gets definitely helps!!

raw bones since the beginning. I just had them cut smaller when he was young and supervised him. Later as he grew I upgraded the size as time passed. Started raw about 2 months ago too and now Thane has nice white teeth

Stark's been on a raw diet since 3 months so no worries about them being too young. I would've started him earlier, but I didn't know about it.

His teeth are nice and white and his gums are looking really good too!