Do you brush your pet's teeth?

[MsP]

I recently went to the vet and he questioned my cats age... stating that her teeth didn't look like a cat who is 7 years old. He asked if I brush her teeth. I said, "Every Thursday." and he looked at me like I was crazy, responded, "Every week?" and that was the end of the exchange. I brush my dog and cats teeth on Thursdays. I joke about "Toothbrush Thursdays".

They don't love it but I figure it's better than having gross breath, infected gums, rotten teeth, etc.

So... do you brush your pets teeth...and how often if you do?

Do you use a toothpaste?

 

[yssie]

I tried once - one *ate* the bristles off the little brush, her brother hid under the toilet and wouldn't come out, and the third nearly took my finger off. We should've started as soon as we got them!

The best we've managed is to take some gauze to their teeth and gums - but even that's only once a month or so reading your post has inspired me to be more diligent about it!

 

[MsP]

I tried once - one *ate* the bristles off the little brush, her brother hid under the toilet and wouldn't come out, and the third nearly took my finger off. We should've started as soon as we got them!

The best we've managed is to take some gauze to their teeth and gums - but even that's only once a month or so reading your post has inspired me to be more diligent about it!

Gauze is actually a really good idea... the little brush I have doesn't get my cats back teeth very well but she'll chew on my sheets all day long so maybe I can get her to chew on some gauze... good idea!

 

[yssie]

I tried once - one *ate* the bristles off the little brush, her brother hid under the toilet and wouldn't come out, and the third nearly took my finger off. We should've started as soon as we got them!

The best we've managed is to take some gauze to their teeth and gums - but even that's only once a month or so reading your post has inspired me to be more diligent about it!

Gauze is actually a really good idea... the little brush I have doesn't get my cats back teeth very well but she'll chew on my sheets all day long so maybe I can get her to chew on some gauze... good idea!

Our vet suggested it for the third specifically, right after we caught her off the streets - she had some gum problems and apparently massaging with gauze can help. I can't do it alone though - DH has to hold her down, and she hates it!

How long have you been brushing yours? Do they still fight it, or are they just kinda resigned? Maybe if I'm more vigilant they'll just learn to accept it? The first two are 4 and the third is 3.

 

[Maisie]

I wouldn't get anywhere near my cat Gracie. She doesn't even let us pick her up! Our dog is more accepting but even she gets upset. I will try harder though. I like threads like this. They make you step up and do things!

 

[zoebartlett]

We were just talking about this with our vet. He recommended that we brush our cats' teeth regularly. He gave us a few syringes with chicken flavored toothpaste. Mmmmmm, doesn't that sound tasty? I haven't had much luck with it though.

Any tricks you could recommend?

 

[lliang_chi]

I use this Orajel that's supposed to help with tartar build up. Thus far it's worked pretty well for my dog. I do it maybe once or twice a week. I think it's from PetzLife. Will have to check when I get home.

 

[ChloeTheGreat]

Tried to brush my cat's teeth...she wouldn't let me.

I brush the dog's teeth with doggy natural toothpaste (no rinse) about once a month on "bath day."

I should do it more often... She is only 3 and hasn't needed a major teeth cleaning yet.

 

[soocool]

Brush my dog's teeth every Tuesday and Friday with chicken flavored toopaste.

I use a small head long handled toothbrush for pets (can't use those finger thingies). I get behind my dog and he sits between my legs. I find it easier that way to get the back teeth.

If a toothbrush is too hard to use, try using gauze to clean the teeth.

 

[LJL]

Now I feel like a bad pet owner..
My dogs get their teeth brushed with the chicken toothpaste when I think about it.. meaning once a month.
Liberty is going to get a professional cleaning next week though so thats good! She's two so her teeth arent that bad but I think I have psychological issues since she had puppies and I had to see her put so many gross things in her mouth..
Justice is still too young - we have brushed his teeth a couple times but he's teething so i feel stupid brushing the milk teeth which are half missing anyways.

Sigh..apparently I need to brush them more

 

[natascha]

What do you feed your pets?

Our dogs eat mainly hard pellets and love their chew-bones. Our vet said that it was not necessary to brush their teeth if we continue with the same food and the toys.

Now I feel bad maybe we should brush their teeth anyway? They really hate it and keep on chewing the toothbrush so it is practically impossible to brush.

 

[MsP]

What do you feed your pets?

Our dogs eat mainly hard pellets and love their chew-bones. Our vet said that it was not necessary to brush their teeth if we continue with the same food and the toys.

Now I feel bad maybe we should brush their teeth anyway? They really hate it and keep on chewing the toothbrush so it is practically impossible to brush.

My pets are both on kibble... (cat and dog)... and while I hear hard kibble *helps* with their teeth, I've never heard that you don't need to brush because of it.

My childhood dog (who has been on kibble, ie hard pellets) gets yearly cleanings now that he's an older dog and that's $500/cleaning and sedation I don't want to risk.

I am always leery of vets... I mean, of course they'll tell you no brushing necessary... so then in two years they can charge you obscene amounts to clean them for you. Seems normal and natural to brush my pets teeth. Same as giving them baths and clipping their hair. But then again, I'm leery of HUMAN DOCTORS too so maybe I'm off base.

 

[stargurl78]

I had no clue you were even supposed to brush your pets' teeth until this month when I took my kitty in for a visit (she was constipated) and they said she has a lot of tarter buildup. So I bought a kitty toothpaste and brush kit but I know she is going to freak when I try to use it on her. They didn't say anything about my other kitty's teeth on her last visit and I didn't think to ask. I also bought them special treats that are supposed to be good for their teeth. They like those and they really have to gnaw on them to eat them so hopefully that's helping. Both my kitties are 6 so I feel like a big jerk for never thinking to take care of this sooner. I'm wondering if I should set up an appointment for a cleaning for both of them but I don't like the idea of having to put them under...

 

[rainwood]

We brush our dog's teeth at least once a week, and try to do it more often. Our vet says it can really help prevent serious teeth and gum problems when the dog gets older. It also cuts down on the need to have a professional teeth cleaning under general anesthesia. We use a meat-flavored toothpaste that she loves and the plastic brush you put on the end of your finger. She doesn't love having her teeth brushed, but she's willing to put up with it, particularly because she gets a treat before and after.

 

[chemgirl]

We have a toothbrush for them...can't say we've succeeded in brushing their teeth though.

 

[dani13]

We have tried and tried to clean our little guy's teeth over the years.....When he sees that toothbrush he turn into Cujo and wants to bite our hands off!!! He really hates it!!! We've just given up on that!!!!

 

[Puppmom]

Just about every day. It's one of DD's chores. We've done it since he was a puppy so he doesn't mind. He does chew up the toothbrush though. I'm pretty sure my vet said if you don't do it frequently (weekly maybe?) you probably shouldn't bother.

 

[Laila619]

No, I don't.

 

[zoebartlett]

I'll try gauze and maybe one of those finger things. I can't imagine those would work, let alone an actual toothbrush, but I'll give it a shot. One of our cats *might* let us near her to brush her teeth but our other one will run if he senses that something's up.

 

[rubybeth]

I'm not a pet owner, but both my sister and mom have mini long-haired dachshunds, and both get their teeth brushed.

I know my sister does her dog Nico's pretty regularly, because he LOVES it. He is seriously the weirdest dog. Very docile, and will let humans do just about anything to him as long as it doesn't hurt (he's cool with wearing clothes, getting brushed/furminated, nails trimmed, etc.). My sister has even SCALED his teeth to get rid of plaque (my mom's a dental asst. so has some basic tools at home). He is a nut for cheese, so after she scraped a bit, she'd feed him a bit of cheese. When she went to her new vet (moved from Pittsburgh to Minneapolis), he said that Nico is obviously a very well-loved and cared for pet. The vet was astounded that she is able to do that kind of 'maintenance' on him, but Nico just seems to want to make his humans happy.

My mom's puppy Pippa is a little different. The first day she came home, she was 3 mos. old and we let her 'taste' the toothpaste (it smells like maple syrup) and chew on the toothbrush so it would be familiar feeling. Then later, we'd just try to get the brush in her mouth a little bit. When I do it, I just wiggle the brush when I'm holding it, so while she tries to chew on it/lick the toothpaste off, she's getting her teeth brushed. The last time my mom and I did it, we also gave her a bit of cheese after a few seconds of the brush, and it helped her to sit still a lot longer, which is saying a LOT since she just turned 6 mos.

ETA: I also just remembered, both dogs get excited when they see that we are going for the toothbrush, just like they do when they know that we are getting them a treat. I think they just love that toothpaste.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

our Chi-mix doesn't chew on anything except to eat her kibble. She had HORRIBLE breath. About a month ago we had her teeth cleaned by the vet and luckily no teeth had to be removed. She's roughly 6 years old. Her breath is a billion times better. Not to mention the other benefits like decreased risk of heart problems and tooth loss. We're trying to get her used to us brushing her teeth but she wants nothing to do with it. I can only fiddle with her teeth while she's konked out mega relaxed on my lap at night. But then, it's only light brushing with a cloth.

 

[movie zombie]

no, i don't. but if i were to get a kitten i would attempt to it a couple of times a week with a very ultra soft brush.

i recently read an article about dogs that was very much in the "you must brush your dog's teeth" because the health issues are so bad........

 

[Asu]

No,I don't.I want to,but the last time I tried I almost lost a nail and an eye,so I'm not really looking forward to it

 

[Rhea]

I didn't know I was supposed to do it until about 6 years ago. A bit late of a start and I've had very little success. Recently the vet told me I should again but recommended something I could sprinkle on her food since the kitty isn't fond of toothbrushes. She gets half a scoop every morning. I'm not sure how much it helps her teeth, but it helps both our sanity and nerves.

 

[tigian]

Our dogs usually get a monthly brushing by either me or my DH. This thread has inspired me to shoot for twice a week. I started last night. I hope I can keep to this routine. I noticed their breath being a lot better this morning. Thanks everybody!

 

[LAJennifer]

http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/Brushing-Your-Cats-Teeth/Entire-Video

 

[dragonfly411]

I don't brush my dogs' and cats' teeth, they get greenies and our vets have said they have better teeth than theirs. No joke. I don't brush my horses' teeth BUT they get an annual filing and cleaning by the equine dentist. It's pretty cool to watch actually.

 

[asscherisme]

My cats' vet told me I should and she even suggested chicken flavored toothpaste. I bought supplies and it was a no go to either of my girls. They would have no part of it. One of my cats scratched me pretty badly when I tried. The second one just squired out of my arms and was very mad at me for the rest of the day. Oh well.

 

[Puppmom]

I don't brush my dogs' and cats' teeth, they get greenies and our vets have said they have better teeth than theirs. No joke. I don't brush my horses' teeth BUT they get an annual filing and cleaning by the equine dentist. It's pretty cool to watch actually.

I wish I could give my dog greenies. He swallows them whole!

 

[asscherisme]

I don't brush my dogs' and cats' teeth, they get greenies and our vets have said they have better teeth than theirs. No joke. I don't brush my horses' teeth BUT they get an annual filing and cleaning by the equine dentist. It's pretty cool to watch actually.

I've never seen greenies for cats, only dogs. I googled it and found they sell it on petco.com So you think the greenies for cats work? Do your cats like them? My cats are very picky eaters but might be worth a try. Are the pieces small? And how are the pieces of greenies different than just feeding kibble? My girls eat kibble so wouldn't that have the same effect?