“Healthy Teeth”
February has been designated National Pet Dental Month by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Chew on this information:
Poor dental care can cause a number of ailments such as plaque/tartar build-up, gingivitis, tooth loss, periodontal disease, and mouth sores. Chronic teeth ailments can also contribute towards heart, kidney, liver and lung disease! Since the build up of bacteria through the diseased gums gains access directly to the bloodstream it then ends up lodging in the valves of the heart or the other organs.
PREVENTION
The best thing is to prevent your dogs teeth from the tartar build up in the first place. Feeding your dog food that it was intended to eat is the ideal first step. After all, carnivores in the wild don’t develop tartar and that’s because they’re not eating dry cereal every day of their life. Alternatively, feeding high quality wet (not dry) pet food does far more for your pet than those carbohydrate laden — and totally useless — so-called dog chew treats. More dental ‘aids’ to avoid below.
HOME TREATMENT
If your dog’s teeth are already becoming laden with tartar you can very gently brush them. It’s better not to use a human toothbrush because they are too firm and not the correct shape. It’s also very important you never use human toothpaste either. In fact one of the best things to use for ‘brushing’ your dog’s teeth is to use a gauze or soft cotton cloth wrapped around your finger. First dampen the gauze or cloth and dip it into digestive enzymes. Rotate this gently being sure to massage carefully from the gums downward. (Digestive enzymes can be ordered from natural pet suppliers online or at a pet health food store.)
CAUTION
One thing you definitely do not want to use, partly because it is totally ineffective as a dental aid, but for far more critical reasons, is the product known as Greenies. There are numerous news stories detailing the dangers in this product. You can find the news reports on any search engine but here are just a few for your convenience:
“Potentially Deadly Problem with Popular Dog Treat” a video at KIRO news.
A CNN Report, “Owners: Dog Treats Killed Our Pets”
You should also avoid using the hard plastic Nylabones and the rawhide chews (which are all bleached by the way). I realize most people are aware of the dangers of these items but it’s always good to include it as a reminder or for those who have not yet been made aware of these dangers.
The other caution is to educate yourself and to VERY CAREFULLY read the labels and ingredients of these so-called chew treats or dental aids. I have yet to find one that does not contain either petroleum products or other highly inappropriate synthetic ingredients that dogs should not ever ingest. Nothing in them is suitable for cleaning teeth.
I also highly recommend reading Dr. Pitcairn’s short article “Dentistry Problems for Dogs and Cats”.
I wrote about this topic several months ago in “Canine Dental Care”.
That’s a fair bit to chew on!
“Pearl keeping her teeth healthy with a raw knuckle bone.”
4 responses so far ↓
4urpets // February 20, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Diane,
As you know I have three Chihuahuas. Little dogs are prone to have dental problems (so I am told). Sissy and Jonesy are 7 years old and Tinky is 2. Jonesy already has two teeth on the bottom front that are loose.
I take them (not enough) to get their teeth cleaned without putting them to sleep. I am now feeding them Honest Kitchen dehydrated foot (that contains alfalfa) and I now have an enzyme tooth cleaner.
I make them peanut butter treats that are a cookie made from non fat milk, peanut butter, baking powder and whole wheat flower.
I am at a loss for something to chew for them. They are so little.
What do you suggest?
dianeschuller // February 20, 2008 at 5:34 pm
If you are willing to switch out some of the dry food for fresh real food that will help a bit. For something to chew, if you give a raw chicken neck (remove the fat) a Chihuahua can eat that and it helps massage the gums a bit too. A beef rib bone is good too (bones must be raw — never, never, never cooked bones). The less dry foods you feed and the more fresh animal proteins the better. (add a raw egg to the dry food a couple times a week as well).
D.
4urpets // February 20, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Thanks Diane, I will do that.
Kim/blackswampgirl // February 22, 2008 at 5:32 am
Diane, how about at the other end of the spectrum? I admit to giving my dog those rawhide strips on occasion, just because she likes it so much and I didn’t realize how bad they were when we first started… but she’s 90 lbs, so what size bone should I give her? And where do you get things like raw knuckle bones?
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