Do you clean your dog's teeth?

[Romanarama]

If it's a good idea, in view of preventing dental problems later, then I would like to start early to get him used to it. But the breeder told me it was completely unnecessary. What do you think? (And would it help avoid stinky breath?)

This is the best way to start:

www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=328&pf_id=0713here

Just get pup used to you putting your finger in his mouth - a bit of chewing is to be expected!

We did try, but just couldn't do it. Reckon its worth another try Bella?

a nice big raw beef bone seems to help our dog's teetch a lot, but he can only have those when its not too cold and wet as they are not welcome in the house!

Yes, definitely Grimma. Don't expect to do anything like a proper tooth clean at first - just start in the tiniest way - get the dog to lick a bit of tasty doggy toothpaste off your finger. Then progress to touching front teeth and slowly work up to moving urther back in their mouth. Do this daily, in tiny sessions and reward like mad afterwards. Definitely worth another go. Pups are easy of course - they let you do anything but even older dogs can be persuaded, given enough time.

Good luck

Is feeding them raw bones helpful too (and in other ways)? I read this somewhere.

The trick to cleaning dog teeth is to hold their mouth shut, don't try an open mouth brushing like we do ourselves!

Yes, definately brush daily with a pet toothpaste - like us it is not always going to prevent problems, but it goes a long way to helping.

Raw marrow bones - fine if your pet is supervised so no splinters of bone are swallowed - if it splinters take it away. Also don't give for too long at a time as some pets can become constipated on them, just allow say 30 minutes chewing a day on them then remove. Other good ideas are dental kongs, dentastix and rawhide chews too - all these help to reduce plaque and therefore tartar build up.

no yet, but i should

his breath stinks

i have seen dog biscuit which are like toothpaste in packets at my pet shop

do they work?

Those dentastix are fab - but pricey. My dog had really bad tartar (the vet kept telling me off for it) and then took her back after a year of using these and it had gone completely! Vet was v.impressed. Dog loves them too.

No. Have to say I can't see myself doing it either.

We do give her a Dentastix every day though. And no sweeties!

i NEVER GIVE woofa sweeties, though has been known to STEAL them

my 2 are fed on alot of raw, so there teeth are v v clean. bones help to clean there teeth and no brushing needed. good luck if your going to try, and start as early as possible xx