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Has your dog brushed his teeth today?

By
Real Estate Agent with John L Scott Real Estate

Wow, I have finally learned my lesson and it was an expensive one!  Dogs need to have their teeth brushed every day.  I have the world's greatest vet right here in Port Hadlock, Dr. Ginny Johnson.   She kept telling me my dog's teeth were collecting plaque and did not look too good and I would go home thinking, yeah I have to do better.  I had Lulu's done in December (4th time) after I sold a small commercial building and felt I could afford to make the expenditure, but waited to do Teddy's. Now, after just spending over $500 and watching my youngest little guy Teddy Bear in pain after having four teeth pulled, I am a believer and feeling pretty guilty.

If you think your dog will not allow this, just do it anyway.  You get some canine chicken or beef  flavored tooth paste and rub it over their teeth with your finger.  After a few days you can use a piece of gauze wrapped around your fingers and rub it around on their teeth.  Then you can buy a special doggie tooth brush which is small and angled, or you can buy a child size brush.  Then just put that brush in there and get the job done. Be sure you get all the way back to the molars on the top and bottom.  They get abscesses and infection from bad teeth just like we do and of course start losing teethas they get older.  Much better for both of you to avoid that. 

 

Lulu and Teddy Bear

http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

Comments(10)

Susan Neal
RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks - Fair Oaks, CA
Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker

Hi Sandra - Those are adorable dogs, and this is good advice.  I have no dogs right now, but I have a houseful of cats (5 full time and several part time) and they get bad teeth too.  It is difficult to brush all their teeth - we have so many cats.  Now if I could just figure out a way to teach them to brush their own teeth! 

May 31, 2009 12:33 PM
Sandra White
John L Scott Real Estate - Port Townsend, WA
Experienced Residential Resale Broker

Boy, that is a tough one.  I know there is chewie stuff for removing tartar but I don't know much about cats.  The vet bills are starting to get so high...I read about some liquid thats goes in the pets water, but my vet said it wasn't of much value. 

The dogs are Shit Zhus and I highly recommend them.  They are very dainty and cat like and good for people who are allergic to dogs, as they hair, not fur.  Less dander. 

 

May 31, 2009 12:39 PM
Connie Betz
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador Real Estate - Omaha, NE
Top Omaha Realtor - Omaha Homes for Sale

Ok, I've been putting off Llana's teeth cleaning.  I promise I'll call the vet tomorrow and schedule it.  I appreciate your very important reminder.  My three four-legged "kids" are life, particularly since my husband and I don't have kids.  Thank you!

May 31, 2009 01:10 PM
Sandra White
John L Scott Real Estate - Port Townsend, WA
Experienced Residential Resale Broker

Good, I am glad someone can benefit from my mistakes.  However, all dogs do not build up plaque and perhaps yours will just need some brushing.  I hope so. 

May 31, 2009 04:16 PM
Joanna Szwyd
StoneHouse Properties - Great Barrington, MA

You are absolutely right, Sandra. Sometimes we say "later", and wait until who knows what. I used to brush (once in a while) my previous dane's teeth. My new puppy is 9 months old and I haven't tried that yet. It's not difficult to brush, we just have to do it:)

May 31, 2009 10:37 PM
Sandra White
John L Scott Real Estate - Port Townsend, WA
Experienced Residential Resale Broker

Oh yes, do it now while you can teach him to like it.  My little guys really like the paste which is ok to  be swallowed so they sort of look forward to it.  At least they don't fight me.  Good luck with that.  There is also a small rubber tip that fits on your finger that comes with one of the tooth brushes, or my vet sells it separately that helps you feel around in there.  Your dog is really beautiful.  Is that the 9 month old dog?

Jun 01, 2009 02:36 AM
Ann Heitland
Retired from RE/MAX Peak Properties - Flagstaff, AZ
Retired from Flagstaff Real Estate Sales

Poor babies. I take the easy way out -- our groomer scraps them and checks them every six weeks. And then, there are the daily greenies.

Jun 01, 2009 04:42 PM
Sandra White
John L Scott Real Estate - Port Townsend, WA
Experienced Residential Resale Broker

What a good system.  That is so much easier on the dog and way less expense and no anesthesia.  I like that plan a lot.  I do my own grooming, but I have thought of asking my dental hygenist to keep up their teeth. 

Jun 02, 2009 02:42 AM
Muffy collins
Bridgeport, CT

Love your dogs, they are so cute.  I need to brush my dogs teeth. I keep saying that I will but never get around to it. I have special tooth paste and a doggie tooth brush. no more excuses. Thanks for the reminder. 

Jun 08, 2009 02:11 PM
Sandra White
John L Scott Real Estate - Port Townsend, WA
Experienced Residential Resale Broker

You are so welcome!  I felt so guilty I had let my little guys go so long, writing about it has eased my pain.  I sit them on the sofa at night while I watch tv and mess with their hair and teeth.  It's bad enough to pay for the cleaning, but having to have the anesthesia is so hard on them.  Happy brushing.  What kind of a dog do you have.  Have a photo?

Jun 08, 2009 02:18 PM