How often do you brush your dogs teeth?

[SweetDogEyes]

I have 2 small dogs, notorious for teeth issues, so I brush them every other day and use a seaweed supplement in their food as per vet advice.

The reason I don't brush their teeth daily is because, I started out doing this, but they started to act like they didn't like having their teeth brushed daily by running away from me when I told them it was time and hiding, which they don't do when I space it out more.

Do you brush daily, weekly, at all?

Interested in views because I appreciate that bigger dogs may have different requirements and ways to avoid plaque/tartar build up which aren't necessarily as effective or possible with small dogs.

If you have a small dog, is your regime similar to mine or do you do something differently?

The vet told me my dogs teeth are lovely, so I assume I'm doing something right, since they are 2 and 3 years old, respectively.

No right or wrong answers. Just curious!

Never , but he’s raw fed so has bones at least twice a week ( bigger dog ) , and his breath has never smelt and his teeth are lovely

Never, raw diet, including natural chewable body parts as toothrushes. Teeth excellent.

@bugalugs45 @60degreecycle Thanks both so much! My dogs are fed raw, organic but also have treats like Wagg. I wonder if that is contributing to staining? It's minimal but it's there so interested to get your views.

I think I should start giving my dog bones. He's raw-fed too, but it is a mush, with no teeth-cleaning properties. I do often give him carrots or swede to chomp on, but bones would be best.
I would never brush his teeth. I can't get a handle on whether I should feel guilty about that. Presumably with your small dogs, OP, there is some issue of genetic overcrowding or something that increases vulnerability to decay?

Yes, they are Yorkshire Terriers and are notorious for teeth issues due to retained baby teeth, crowding etc. I knew this when I committed to the breed, all those years ago, but didn't know about raw food with my last one until he was very old which was too late. He'd had a lot of teeth pulled by then.

One of my boys teeth spacing are lovely and the other one has a smaller mouth and snout so there is more crowding where his molars are which is the biggest concern.

Twice in 6 years till she made it clear she hated it…cockapoo. Vet says her teeth are lovely. She has the odd chew and mostly eats a dry food diet. She chews sticks a lot.

I also had a breed known for bad teeth (they didn’t like chewing bones etc either) and the very advised we should be doing it every day.

It would put me off having one again, if that is the expectation now.

@MidnightPatrol With my last boy, the vets told me there was no need to brush daily, especially if it stressed him, which it did. Then, I was told by another vet I should be brushing daily. Then, I was told by another vet there was no need....I was so torn in bits by conflicting advice. He had a dental clean, and removal, when and as they advised but I was a bit bitter about the conflicting advice and the fact his teeth had to be removed. Raw food wasn't really a thing when we first got him in 2013. I was told he should eat Royal Canin and then we switched to Orijen for cleaner ingredients and because he never liked Royal Canin. I didn't even know raw was an option back then. Things are different with these two and I'm hoping their food will prevent the issues.

I have a small terrier and I brush his teeth every other day. He's not a fan of it but he lets me do it without drama.
He's raw fed but no bones.
What bones do you feed yours?

Thanks for this!

They have small bones in their raw food but I don't give them bones to chew. I'm not sure what I can give them, TBH. I tried chicken feet but they really don't like them. Also, it's hard to give them things that won't make them really full and put them off their food for a couple of days, afterwards.

Do you have any suggestions? I would be grateful!

They weigh about 2.5kg each.

I have no advice re bones for dogs that tiny , I have a 50kg Rottweiler, so very much other end of the spectrum, we give lamb, ribs , chicken/ duck necks and marrowbones ,
my best guess would maybe be chicken wings , but if they’re not fans of the feet maybe they wouldn’t like those either

Never! There are chews that’s can do the job

Which chews do you use?

Never, eats a mixture of chicken, beef, salmon human food, plus a known brand wet dog food, probably too many treats too. He is 17 in November and no teeth issues so far.

Never. He chews on dried tripe, paddywack, pizzles, antlers, rawhide and dentastix. And sticks.

He has lovely white teeth.

My dog has frozen chicken wings to chomp on and vet says he has very good teeth. I usually brush them once every 3 weeks or so. He’s a large beeed aged 10 .

Every day. She has a little bit of gum recession/pocketing above one molar that the vet is threatening to extract just in case it gets infected, and she was so incredibly unwell for days after her last dental (removing a cracked tooth) that I'm determined not to have to put her through another. She won't tolerate an actual brush but I have a microfibre finger brush that I use with enzyme toothpaste.

What seaweed supplement do you use please?

I have a spaniel. He’s raw fed & gets bones a couple of times a week. He also has the seaweed stuff on his food. I don’t brush them, he just eats all the bristles off the brush each time I’ve attempted it. So I pay an extra £10 for the groomers to do it now when he visits which is every 2/3 months. Vets always been happy with his “almost but not quite pearly whites”