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How do you all keep your dog's teeth clean of tartar. We had our 5 year old ShihTzu's teeth cleaned for the first time last year. They were sparkling. But a year later he's needing it again? The tartar is building up rapidly. He won't let us brush them regularly.
What do you feed? None of my dogs have needed teeth cleaning since I switched to a good grain free food 6 years ago. The tartar actually disappeared from one of my dog's teeth after I switched. They say that raw feeding including bones helps too.
Small breeds seem to have more problems with teeth than larger dogs. My GSDs rarely need their teeth cleaned. Have you tried giving him those dental chews?
My GSD gets his teeth cleaned once a week (by me).
He has never objected to me cleaning his teeth,
I use one of those rubber finger brushes, and it doesn't bother him.
I think he enjoys the process.
Once finished, he gets a handful of kibble as a reward for the teeth cleaning, and maybe that is why he allows it in the first place.
There are videos online that will show you how to brush your dog's teeth.
Our vet recommends doing that.
Our dogs are heavy chewers. They have Nylabones, rawhides, bully sticks, antlers, Kongs, dental treats, you name it.
They're still fairly young (2+ years old) but have good teeth so far.
Thank you all for the suggestions. I've tried over the years to get him to eat the grain free / dry formulas. He does ok for about a week then gets sick and won't eat them.
How do you all keep your dog's teeth clean of tartar. We had our 5 year old ShihTzu's teeth cleaned for the first time last year. They were sparkling. But a year later he's needing it again? The tartar is building up rapidly. He won't let us brush them regularly.
My golden used to not let me brush her teeth either. I would use the toothpaste that you can get at PetCo or PetSmart and she would turn her head away and squirm. Problem solved when I tried a more expensive toothpaste--it must taste better to her. It's made by Virabec, CET toothpaste, poultry flavored. She loves it and she gets a small smidgen as a treat when we're done. She's 8--has never had to get her teeth professionally cleaned either. I brush them daily and when she sees me bring out the toothbrush and toothpaste, she comes running to me. Good luck. It's expensive to have your dog's teeth professionally cleaned.
Grain free food and frequent raw meaty bones. He's 10 years old and never had his teeth cleaned at the vet and his teeth are sparkling white.
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