Best ways to keep your pet's teeth healthy
When's the last time you brushed your dog's teeth? Have you ever brushed your dog's teeth? I've got to admit, I don't brush my pooch's teeth very often.
The American Veterinary Dental College says it's the single most effective way to maintain your pet's oral health between professional dental exams.
Dr. Marty Becker from vetstreet.com says small dogs tend to have the most dental problems.
"Small dog's teeth are very crowded together. The saliva doesn't flow around their teeth, so they don't self-clean very well. So small dogs - Yorkies, Chihuahuas, poodles and dachshunds - they have terrible teeth problems."
Most dogs don't want a toothbrush in their mouth, even if the toothpaste is liver-flavored. But in time, they often get used to it.
Other options:
Rinses you can squirt inside the cheek, gels you can rub on the teeth and "dental diets" that actually help clean the teeth.
Chew treats can help if they're used every day. Dr. Becker says some rawhide chews and biscuits contain a chemical that fights tartar. There are also versions for cats.
Better yet, feed a raw diet! Cat's and dog's teeth are built to tear and shred meat, and chew on raw bones. Why use chemicals when you can get the same results or better with something natural? Most kibble have lots of carbs and starches, which naturally collect on the teeth and promote plaque.
 @Inuyashasama I have a small dog and have tried EVERYTHING including raw. She just won't eat raw until she's very very hungry and then whatever raw she eats (even if it's a small amount), she throws up.
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She won't chew/gnaw on anything except small bites of dog food, never would.
 @Commenter87643 Sorry to hear about that. Have you tried mixing the raw with her regular food? Raw bones from a specialty pet store? Usually a sudden change in a pet's diet can make them sick... Also, a friend of mine has a cat that gets sick and throws up when she eats one brand of raw chicken cat food, but is just fine with other brands. It's strange, but the only thing it could be is from the extra ingredients for vitamins and such. (Kelp, oils, egg yolks, etc.) Other than that, the two are virtually identical...(RadCat and Natural Pet Pantry) Raw isn't for every pet, but it's worth looking into if one brand doesn't work...
 @Inuyashasama Yeah, tried all of it. And if I'm switching brands of very similar food, I also have to start out with about 3/4 tsp of the new stuff mixed in with 4 tbs of the usual and very gradually increase, otherwise she gets sick, even tho she LIKES a wide variety of foods. (except raw!)
 @Commenter87643  @Inuyashasama I recommend taking your little doggie to teeth cleaning every 3 months to avoid tooth loss