Tooth cleaning for my dog…

Vito

I'm a greyhound owner, shes my first, when I adoted her I was warned how notoriously bad greys teeth and gums are, and to brush her teeth daily,which i did. Her teeth were ok but not particularly zingy white. Met another greyhound owner out on a walk , his dog was older than mine with the most fabulous white teeth , he advised ostrich bones , they crumble not splinter. Molly now has plaque free zingy white teeth 😀

So, 8 months on: my dog had a nail bed infection and we had to take her to a different vet to my vet ( the one that said she would need to be anaesthetised to have her teeth cleaned). I asked him what he thought of her teeth and he said they were much better than his own dogs teeth and he’d give them 95/100. I have, however, changed to Ostrich knuckles which are less messy than leg bones. And also brush them every night before she goes to sleep.

Winnie didn’t like her ostrich bone at first so I held it for her like a tug toy. The next day she was straight onto it. I think her teeth look better already.

Forgot to say he has his claws trimmed and smoothed at the groomers.

My old dog has poor teeth, so I ordered an ostrich bone for him last weekend. He was terrified of it and wouldn't go near it!

I gave him a whole carrot yesterday evening and he happily crunched it all up, so thank you farview for that recommendation 🥕

I think I was more upset because I couldn't see what was going on!

Several times I’ve asked the vet to cut my dogs claws when they’ve been under sedation for something else and they’ve hardly taken anything off. It doesn’t really do any damage if you cut into the quick other than making them even more scared of having it done.

MayBee70

Callistemon21

I took one of my dogs to the vets to have his claws clipped, judging by the yelps I heard from the treatment room, it was not a happy experience.

If she's happy for you to do it then carry on rather than take her to the vet's.

Oh hell. I used my Millers Forge clippers last night instead of the dremel, as they’re supposed to just take a fraction off, and I cut into the quick again. She ended up having extra chicken, an extra long play session and had me hugging her all evening saying I’m so sorry! I think she recovered from it quicker than I did. So it’s totally out of the question taking her to a groomers to have her claws clipped. Being black it’s impossible to see how far down the quick goes. I can’t believe how fast they grow.

The vet cut down to the quick then said it was the dog's fault!

Callistemon21

I took one of my dogs to the vets to have his claws clipped, judging by the yelps I heard from the treatment room, it was not a happy experience.

If she's happy for you to do it then carry on rather than take her to the vet's.

Oh hell. I used my Millers Forge clippers last night instead of the dremel, as they’re supposed to just take a fraction off, and I cut into the quick again. She ended up having extra chicken, an extra long play session and had me hugging her all evening saying I’m so sorry! I think she recovered from it quicker than I did. So it’s totally out of the question taking her to a groomers to have her claws clipped. Being black it’s impossible to see how far down the quick goes. I can’t believe how fast they grow.

Callistemon may be with trying 🥕🥕

farview

Every dog I've had has had beautiful healthy teeth...eating a raw carrot every day...with our Gyp a few years ago..the vet asked did I brush Gyps teeth because they were just perfect..was quite surprised when I told him re the carrot a day...he then started to do the same with his own dogs....

Do you think it would work on humans?

I don't mind going to the dental hygienist but it's not on my list of enjoyable visits.

I took one of my dogs to the vets to have his claws clipped, judging by the yelps I heard from the treatment room, it was not a happy experience.

If she's happy for you to do it then carry on rather than take her to the vet's.

I just wish I could sort out her claws now! Maybe I could distract her with the ostrich bone! They’d be such low maintenance dogs if it wasn’t for their feet and teeth. We usually dremel or clip her claws in the evening but if she’s had a nice day I can’t bear to spoil it for her. I just wish she could understand that it’s for her own good; I just get a ‘how can you do this to me’ look.

Oh I'm so pleased Maybe 70 . Your picture made me smile, that is the exact set up I have for molly when she has her bone. Yes they are huge, especially for a whippet, she should have a few happy hours of chewing and sparkling teeth 🤗

Every dog I've had has had beautiful healthy teeth...eating a raw carrot every day...with our Gyp a few years ago..the vet asked did I brush Gyps teeth because they were just perfect..was quite surprised when I told him re the carrot a day...he then started to do the same with his own dogs....

Her breeder gave me raw chicken wings. I know they’re safe but I can’t bring myself to use them.

CocoPops, I wish they did the peanut butter toothpaste for us - as I hate the minty stuff. My little dog loves a raw chicken wing (but only allowed in the garden). The raw bones don't splinter.

Yes. I’ve heard that about coconut oil. I bought some Lilys Kitchen chews that have coconut oil in them. I have heard of dogs breaking teeth on antlers I’m afraid.

Our dog has an antler and buffalo horn to chew on. He is six years old, so quite young, but has beautiful white teeth. I also heard recently from a reliable source that brushing their teeth with coconut oil is good, though I haven’t tried it.

She’s really got the hang of how to deal with her bone, now. It makes me a bit sad, though, as I once knew an ostrich called Pauline and I keep thinking of her…

dentist - vet, although they are, of course dentists too.

The vet who cleaned my dog's teeth sold me a tube of toothpaste and brush for £12 - this was years ago.
Someone managed to find the same toothpaste for £2!

He only had his teeth cleaned and scaled by the dentist once and regularly had chews.

Ostrich bones arrived yesterday. Tried one today. She loved it but gave it so much welly I was terrified she’d break a tooth! But her breeder assures me she’ll be ok with it. It’s massive! Also now brushing her teeth last thing at night and she likes that, too.

CocoPops

I have my dog's teeth cleaned annually by a hygienist without an anaesthetic. It is a popular service here in Canada and compared to vet prices it is about half the cost. I also got my dog used to having her teeth brushed daily with an ordinary tooth brush and peanut butter flavored toothpaste which is sold at pet stores. Actually her dental care is just the same as mine!

It is available in the UK but it’s a case of finding someone that will do it. I’m just surprised that vets don’t give out more advice about dental hygiene. My last dog had a suspicious lump that the vet said to keep an eye on and only did a biopsy when I decided to have her teeth cleaned under anaesthetic: it turned out to be cancerous and should have been removed much sooner. They didn’t suggest a needle aspiration either which would have picked up the problem sooner.

I have my dog's teeth cleaned annually by a hygienist without an anaesthetic. It is a popular service here in Canada and compared to vet prices it is about half the cost. I also got my dog used to having her teeth brushed daily with an ordinary tooth brush and peanut butter flavored toothpaste which is sold at pet stores. Actually her dental care is just the same as mine!

I’ve just remembered that the lady that I’ve bought her coats from sells them so I’ve just ordered a couple. She gives them to her whippets so I know they’ll be ok. Honestly. Sighthounds. If it isn’t their teeth it’s their claws….Thanks.