Another Oral Hygiene Question

[micro202]

When we adopted Delia about 4 months ago her teeth were super white. We've been noticing they are starting to get some tartar build up on the back bottom teeth that is making them yellow.

Delia DOES NOT like having anyone's fingers in her mouth. She squirms and cries. We tried to desensitize her to it with some clicker tricks our trainer gave us, but with really no usable progress. So for the moment, brushing her teeth is out.

As such, we are trying to be even more prudent about the food we give her. Even still the problem seems to be getting worse.

I am trying to figure out what it is that may be causing her to get such quick tartar build up.

We feed her a 75/25 mix of Innova Dog Dry/Canned. She gets natural balance roll, chicken breast and occasionally cheese for training and innova health bars and the occasional piece of fruit for treats. She is an active chewer and chews on compressed rawhide daily.

I saw the suggestion for raw bones in the other thread and am planning on trying that as well.

I guess my main question concerns what if anything in her current diet we should be cutting out and/or adding to help with the situation?

 

[Scotia]

Hi Micro202

From what I've read, the only way to remove tartar is with a scale and polish from your vet, and the best way to prevent it is with raw bones very regularly. From what you've described of her diet, it's all soft, apart from the rawhide. Do you know Tom Lonsdale, of www.rawmeatybones.com - his advice is very good, and you can download a free copy of his book Working Wonders from his website. It goes into the health benefits of feeding raw, and they're not just dental benefits.

Scotia

 

[BlackPuppy]

Yep, raw meaty bones (usually large chicken or turkey parts) cleaned up my gross adopted dog's teeth in only a few days. It took longer before they were perfectly white.

I can't afford raw food all the time with his allergies, but I make sure he gets enough to keep that crud off his teeth. It really doesn't take long for the tarter to build up, does it. And I sure don't want to subject my dog to anethesia(sp?) and the cost of having the vet do it.

 

[weylyn]

I third the raw, meaty bones suggestion.

 

[micro202]

ha. well it looks like raw, meaty bones it is.

what exactly do you ask the butcher for?

 

[juliefurry]

I used to buy the raw beef soup bones. Now I can get raw bones at the Pet Supplies Plus by my house. Hannah will get 1 or 2 of the raw ham bones a week (depending on our finances). The bones, by us, cost about $3.50 for one (at the petstore) and I can get the raw beef soup bones 3 for $2 at the grocery store.

 

[micro202]

is there a certain cut that is considered a soup bone?

i went to the local butcher and they had raw, frozen beef femur for sale. is this the same thing? i asked about necks and knuckles and they said they discarded that stuff and wasn't for sale to the public.

i was able to find frozen turkey neck and frozen ham and lamb bones (femur I think) at the local pet store, but it seemed kind of expensive.

actually though, after chewing 2 turkey necks that last 2 days I have already seen some improvement with her tartar build up.

 

[Pomp]

Bumping this thread back up because I have a tarter question...

My dogs get frozen chicken wings, drumsticks, etc on a daily basis. They still have tarter on their teeth though. Are there any other bones I can give them to help remove the tarter? Perhaps something they can chew on for a while? Maybe something more recreational?

 

[SummerRiot]

Pomp - have you tried brushing their teeth yet?

Jada absolutely HATES hates hates her teeth brushed.. b/c shes small all we have to do is pin her down and brush them for her - she wiggles and squirms for a bit and then relaxes and then she gets huge praise and he likes that part..

Riot and Crosbie are completely obsessed about getting their teeth brushed. Each time I pill Riots toothbrush and paste out of the drawer hes at my feet wagging his tail and literally "smiling" ready for his teeth to be brushed - hes completely obsessed with it lol
Crosbie even tries to snag OUR toothbrushes when we try brushing our own teeth! lol

 

[moxiegrl]

Pomp- We use bone marrow bones and they last FOREVER, and they keep Katies teeth spotless.

 

[bubbatd]

Moxie ... I'm with you , but I gave Ollie his first huge raw marrow bone 2 days ago .... he'd been working on year old plus Chip's bones ..... that folly, jolly Ollie got it to the point I had to throw it out today !! Was down to swallow size ! That's Ollie , by golly !! Poor boy , I think it was his first raw bone ! We started outside, then garage , then kitchen , then cage and finally it was stripped and dry enough for house . He came with beautiful teeth ( loves sticks ) .... Knuckle bone will next , unless I find a large shank !

 

[Pomp]

Moxie ... I'm with you , but I gave Ollie his first huge raw marrow bone 2 days ago .... he'd been working on year old plus Chip's bones ..... that folly, jolly Ollie got it to the point I had to throw it out today !! Was down to swallow size ! That's Ollie , by golly !! Poor boy , I think it was his first raw bone ! We started outside, then garage , then kitchen , then cage and finally it was stripped and dry enough for house . He came with beautiful teeth ( loves sticks ) .... Knuckle bone will next , unless I find a large shank !

I have heard that marrow bones may be too hard for a dog's teeth. Is that true?