Did a search on this but didnt come up with anything. Just wondering what you pet owners do with regards to your pet (especially dog)'s dental care?

I know that there is no stopping their teeth to yellow with age but was wondering if there are any effective products/methods that my fellow pet owners are using to slow it down as well as minimising tartar.

Back home, we used to bring our dogs to the vet have their teeth cleaned every two years but it required them to be under GA. Not very suitable as the dogs grow older. Do the Swiss vets carry out a similar treatment?

Appreciate any good recommendations and methods.

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Remember when someone annoys you, it takes 42 muscles to frown, BUT it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and b****-slap the mother-f***er upside the head.

Ours gets a dental bone thing twice a week, which has the added advantage of disguising his frankly paint melting breathe. (can't remember the name off the top of my head)

We also give him a normal bone at least once a week, which seems to keep his gums in decent condition.
Brushing his teeth happens once a year when he goes to the vet for his injections - no antithetic needed though.


EDIT: I can't find the exact name but it is similar to this,
http://www.brandpower.com/aus/spotlight.asp?id=383

more info
http://www.vetinfo.com/ddentalbones.html

I'm also giving mine a dental bone - but once a week. This is the brand I used though it doesnt seem to disguise any breath whatsoever.

http://www.greenies.ch/

On the other hand, he doesnt seem very keen on chewing bones now as when he was younger. He used to be able to chew for hours but a bone lasts him for about a month or so now.

Does your vet brush his teeth?

Yep, I gave up trying to brush his teeth, so I get the vet to do it, she has a much better no nonsense approach to it that I have ever managed.

My dogs always had great teeth..... I only ever gave them (real) bones to chew on.

Summerrain, I know you will know this, but I will post this extra info anyway:

• NEVER use a cooked bone for your dog*
• With chicken bones, beware of the 'splinter' bone in the leg. Remove it first.
• Lamb bones are a pretty soft bone. Easy to chew for smaller dogs.

(*cooked bones dry out during cooking and can splinter when chewed and lodge in the throat or stomach)

For your hound, I'd recommend a lamb shank.

My eldest dog (5yrs) had his teeth cleaned this year at the vets.

I also brush their teeth every week as well as giving them denta stixs and other teeth cleaning chews daily.

kevlegs, what brand of toothpaste do you use and did you get it from qualipet? As for their annual teeth cleaning at the vet's, whats the process like? Is is any different from what you do at home? Costs?

I clean the mutts' teeth and gums daily, using this combination:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...0&pcatid=20680

A tartar control toothpaste, and a cleaning solution for the gums. I use the finger brushes only - the dogs seem to accept those better than a normal toothbrush. The Fresh Breath tablets are given as a treat before bedtime.

You can also get toothpastes at Fressnapf or Qualipet - Josty is the brand, I think; I use the Foster and Smith one from the States because it seems to do a better job against tartar.

I also scale the teeth about once a week or so, using one of there:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...764&pcatid=764

Hooligan lets me scale her teeth with no problem; I clicker trained her to accept it, similar to clicker training claw clipping.

Houdini is less accepting - If I manage 2-3 teeth at a session I consider that a good day's work. He's still learning.

Haifisch... well, he came by his name honestly I don't even try. He only has a few teeth, however, so I can keep up with regular brushing. He had to have most of his teeth pulled when he came into the shelter, as his mouth was an absolute disaster - teeth rotten, diseased gums, two tumors. He serves as my reminder why regular dental care is important.

I try to avoid having the vet do it, as two of mine have heart problems putting them at higher risk for anesthesia. If, however, they need a GA for any other reason, I'll ask the vet to do a quick clean at that time.

I got some toothpaste from the Vet. It's called Enyzmatic Toothpaste. "Poultry Flavour"...

I can't remember the cost for the cleasning, I'll see if I have the bill. It was much the same as back in the UK and they did a great job.

Did the cleaning of the teeth require them to go under GA? Thats the only method that I am aware of, as its popular back home.

thanks MC. My little one is quite used to having me checking his teeth and using finger brushes as I started when he was a pup. From what I've read, I really like the Foster and Smith range. Guess its not possible to get it from Switzerland?

Seems like everyone is practicing their pet dental care much more regularly than me. I thought once a month was sufficient - eek. No wonder his breath is starting to get stinky.

__________________
Remember when someone annoys you, it takes 42 muscles to frown, BUT it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and b****-slap the mother-f***er upside the head.

Apropos this topic... amazing the things you find while googling for something else:

http://www.zahnsteinentfernen-hund.ch/

This person offers a dog teeth scaling/cleaning service without a GA. A dental technician and dog lover - an interesting idea for a business.

I wonder if there are others out there offering similar?

Years ago I owned a puppy and bought a child's tooth brush and some chicken flavoured toothpaste from the Swiss pharmacy. I used to clean her teeth once a week, she never enjoyed it, but at least she only bit the brush and not me! I had to give her away when she was 12 months, the new owner was mildly amused that I cleaned her teeth regularly.