Reddit mentions: The best dog dental care products

Congrats on getting your new kitty. I really wish I had this subreddit when I adopted my girls almost six years ago. As a dog person, I've had a lot to learn. You seem like you're off to a good start.

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1. Most cats sleep for well over half the day. Usually in the form of short naps. Think about how human babies take multiple naps during the day and don't usually sleep through the night. I've never seen anyone suggest making them stay awake all day long so they will sleep all night. That just seems like a losing battle. They may be asleep when you go to bed, but they will most likely wake up for the 3am zoomies. It's this weird thing they do in the middle of the night where they chase ghosts from one end of the house to the other. If you're awake, you'll see her quickly glancing around as if she's surrounded, then sprinting away at top speed. It's funny when you're awake. When you're asleep, not so much. I hope your girl likes the hammock. Mine won't walk/lay on unstable surfaces. They aren't crazy about sitting on my lap as it is rather jiggly. A window perch of some sort is necessary. They like to sleep in the sun and are super nosy about what those nefarious neighborhood birds are getting up to.
   
2. I also alternate wet and dry food. It's really better to avoid dry food altogether though. Raw diet is best, wet food diet is good, dry food diet is not very good at all. When I tried adding water to their dry food, they wanted nothing to do with it, and it got nasty pretty fast. Just make sure she has a source of fresh water available at all times. I usually refresh their water after I brush my teeth (their bowls are in the bathroom). Water gets stale quickly, as well as collecting dust and hair. If she dips her feet in the water, it may also have litter in it (yuck!). Watch her for whisker fatigue with her food and water bowls. Some cats are very sensitive to their whiskers touching the side of the bowls. I eventually ended up putting their food on plates or in shallow bowls and their water in wide rectangular bowls. If she's not finishing the food, you could try reducing the amount by a little each day until you reach the right amount for her. Most vets will tell you that feeding guidelines are useful, but not the bible. If kitty is getting fat, feed her a little less. If she is getting thin, feed her a little more. You kind of bounce around a bit at first until you find the right amount for your cat. They all have different needs based on metabolism, activity level, and other factors.
   
3. Toothbrushing can be difficult. I've had more success with a round toothbrush. I just let them bite on it. They tolerate it more than a one sided brush. If she doesn't like it at first, get her used to the idea of you grooming her. Just touch her mouth and ears a little at a time and reinforce her good behavior with positive speech, pets, and treats. They need to know you're torturing them a little for their benefit, because you love them. You're not just being mean. Brushing preferences, like all things, are different for each cat. Try different types of brushes with different brushing techniques until you figure out what she likes. Mine hate metal brushes with a passion and adore boars hair brushes. One girl likes her brushies fast and furious, while the other prefers slow and steady. If you need to use wipes, just remember that she has to lick all of those chemicals and fragrances off of her hair later. I use unscented baby wipes for my girl that refuses to clean her bottom after pottying. If they get something in their hair, I use warm, damp washcloths.
   
4. For toys, just keep trying different things until you figure out what she likes. Before you spend hundreds of dollars buying all the fancy cat toys, try out the stuff you already have around the house. Cats usually don't like the things you buy for them anyway. Some suggestions: ribbon (big enough that she won't swallow it), aluminum foil ball, ping pong ball, socks, scrunchies (my cat found my stash from the 90's), rags, cardboard boxes with holes cut in them (large enough that she won't get stuck), paper bags, running your hands or feet under a blanket, laser pointer. You can also toss treats from one side of the house to the other and make her run back and forth. Just don't engage in the kind of play where she is biting your hand. That develops bad habits. Her not wanting to play yet may be due to being in a newish environment. She'll probably play more as she becomes more comfortable and feels secure.
   
5. Of course, she's not interested in the box. You set it up special just for her. You will learn that if you buy/make it for them, they don't want it. However, if you used the box for something else, she will probably claim it as her own. Just observe where she likes to sleep, is it out in the open, closed up like a cave, in a corner, in the middle of the room, under furniture, up high, down low, close to where ever you are. Use those observations to set up a bed(s) that is absolutely not for her. In the end, she's going to sleep when and where she wants, but it's nice if you can make spots for her that make her feel super comfy and secure.
   
6. If she likes those fake bones, go for it. One of mine loved chewing on an Orka bone after she ate. Now she just uses it to let me know she is hungry and I haven't fed her in ages, and she is going to starve to death soon, as it is really loud and squeaky when she rubs her teeth on it. You will need to check them and dispose of them if they start coming apart so she doesn't swallow chunks of it. If you want to give her real bones, use raw bones (like she'd eat in the wild). Cooked bones will splinter and can wreak havoc on her innards.
   
7. At one year's old, she's still a kid and will learn and grow. Some aspects of her personality will change as she gets older, some will stay the same. She'll adapt to you and your lifestyle as you adapt to hers.
   
8. I think they pretty much only knead dough when they are super relaxed and happy. It's a behavior that they used when nursing. After only 2 days, she may not be relaxed enough yet. Just give her time. Not all cats knead though, so if she doesn't do it, you'll just have to be content watching internet videos of other cats kneading. (FYI: There are over 600 cat subreddits.)
   
   ​
   
   I hope some of this helps. Sorry it's so long. My cats are both asleep and I'm just Redditing while waiting for Game of Thrones to come on.
   
   ​
   
   (Edited for formatting)

Adorable pup!

There are two ways that I brush my Corgi's teeth which have great success.

So, first you will need a few things :

• (looks like you have a sample of this) Enzymatic toothpaste
  
  
• Maintenance Oral Gel
  
  
• Toothbursh, I use higher end brushes, which do make a difference. Kid's brushes are the best size or the small head ones. You can find some that are angled as well. For your pup the little finger brush is probably best for now.
  
  
• beef cannoli
  
  So, now that you have that... On to the ways I brush.
  
  Thumb in mouth This method is the most thorough and best approached from the front of the dog
  
  
• Take your index finger and gently rest it across the snout, being gentle and careful to not restrict airway or poke their eyes.
  
• Take your thumb and insert it in between the upper and lower jaw. It should enter one side and come out the other, effectively propping open the jaw and exposing the teeth while keep their tongue busy. Be careful here when doing this with any dog as you can lose a thumb if the dog is likely to bite or clamp down. Starting early usually mitigates the risk. Use your judgement!
  
• Brush each tooth in a gentle circular motion, making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies. I reapply toothpaste once per side. Be sure to gently brush around the gums as you can cause the gums to recede and wear away enamel if you are too forceful or use too stiff a brush. Treat them like your teeth.
  
• Brush the insides of the teeth if you can reach.
  
• Brush the tongue afterwards or let them lick the remaining paste off the brush to help clean the tongue.
  
• Afterwards, take the maintenance gel, apply about a .5 to 1inch line of gel on the upper and low gums of each side. I like to rub his lips on this to disperse but they are supposed to lick it and disperse it themselves.
  
• Give your pup a nice chewy, such as a tendon. Make sure they aren't made in China! I prefer ones made in the USA or Germany. Be careful with made and distributed / packaged in markings... Essentially, don't skimp! These are great occupiers, help prevent chewing on things you like, and also help keep their teeth clean, like those pesky molars!
  
  Now the second way...
  
  Closed mouth quick brush. This method is great for if you don't have a lot of time or the dog is a biter.
  
  
• Place your thumb across their snout.
  
• place the rest of your hand underneath their jaw, effectively holding their mouth shut. Be gentle here!
  
• slip the toothbrush between the lips. You can do this step first if it is easier for you.
  
• brush like normal, trying to get everything
  
• Let them open their mouth slightly and slide the toothbrush in between their front canines.
  
• brush the inside of their teeth
  
• brush their tongue
  
• apply gel as above
  
• Give your pup a nice chewy, such as a tendon.
  
  Hopefully this helps you! If you do this 1-2 times daily and provide high quality chewy snacks like tendons, you should reduce the need for dental visits at the vet of complete remove the need. Do pay attention to the gums and teeth though and consulate a vet for further advice.

Food:

• Orijen. We rotate around between foods, but always come back to this one. Great coats, no dental problems, consistent energy levels, good digestion, all around good.
  
• Durapet steel non-skid dishes. Nice solid steel construction, and the rubber ring stays put even with frequent washing.
  
• Fish oil! Right now we use Kirkland brand capsules from Costco, which the dogs gobble up like candy.
  
  Leashes/collars/harnesses:
  
  
• "WMC" leather leashes. 3/4" 4ft long, perfect weight and length for everyday training walks. I have no idea what this brand is but it's the best leash I've ever owned. Stamped with "WMC" which I assume is an identifying mark of some sort.
  
• brass id plates from gun dog supply. They last forever and work great.
  
• Not a commercial product, but, a ponytail tie around tags to silence them.
  
• Perfect Fit fleece lined harness for dogs with thin fur. The most comfortable option I've found.
  
• Sense-ible harness. A simple, classic front-clip harness. No frills, does the job without unnecessary cost or weird features.
  
  Grooming:
  
  
• Miller's Forge nail clippers. Simple, cheap, sharp, better than the expensive alternatives.
  
• Earthbath grooming wipes have been a godsend for my allergy dog. Wiping him down every day drastically reduces his seasonal allergy symptoms.
  
• Epi-Soothe shampoo for itchy skin.
  
• Rubber brush for short coats. No particular brand--brands have evolved over the years. Zoom Groom is popular now, but anything made of flexible grippy rubber with fingers/nubs will work.
  
• Burt's Bees shampoo has been a pleasant surprise. No strong perfume, and leaves coats soft without drying them out.
  
• CET toothpaste. The poultry flavor is a big hit--way better than some other brands.
  
  Beds:
  
  
• Kuranda beds. No stuffing to trap allergens, tall enough to let the roomba underneath, and sturdy as all hell. Throw a washable blanket on top for snuggling and it's the perfect dog bed. Seriously, if you take nothing else away from this, just remember Kuranda.
  
• ruff wear roll up mats. Mine are way older and don't look like the product pictured there, but hopefully the new ones are similar. Waterproof no-slip rubber backing, fleece top that lasts through serious abuse (read: digging), and a thin padded layer that doesn't bunch. Perfect for camping, mat training, training classes, any and all travel.
  
• Berkley & Jensen brand dog beds/throws. The ones I got were like thick blankets, canvas on one side and fleece on the other side with a thin layer of padding in the middle. They're amazing. Folded in half it's a crate mat. Folded twice it's a dog bed. Spread out it's a floor protector while feeding gross bones. Spread out it's also a car seat protector.
  
  
  Toys
  
  
• Orvis leather toys. They appear not to be sold currently, but I have a leather retrieving dummy that was perfect for intro retrieve training with a dog who was utterly disinterested in toys. The soft leather enticed him to pick it up, which was all the help I needed at the time.
  
• JW treat ball. Large opening, so perfect for chunks of biscuit or jerky. Large pieces of treats can be squeezed through the flexible opening for a challenging game. Soft rubber bounces quietly, does not clang around on hard floors or against hard furniture like buster cube or kong wobbler.
  
• Classic Kongs. I take this one for granted, but really useful toy. Stuff it with food before you leave for work and your dog has something productive to focus on for a little while at least.
  
• Goughnuts. Virtually indestructible rubber chew toys.
  
  Training goodies
  
  
• Starmark clicker. Loud click. raised button gives you more options than a typical box clicker.
  
• iClick clicker. Very quiet click. Also with a raised button for versatility.
  
• Terry Ryan treat bag. Again, mine is really old so I hope the new one is similarly good. The hinges pop open/shut with no trouble, way more convenient than a drawstring. Mine has been used and washed regularly for 6+ years without harming it.
  

I'm interested in what you've heard about Greenies (I don't use them with my dogs, but my family used them with our dogs growing up without issues). The only things I've read had to do with obstruction (dogs wolfing down and not chewing properly), and I'm pretty sure Greenies changed their formula after that debacle to make them more digestible so that they would be safer.

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That being said, my dogs are a fan of nylabones that have the nubs on them (as they chew, the nubs help brush their teeth). Just make sure if your dog gets to the point where they are tearing it apart, that you throw it out. You don't want your dog actually eating it. Another recent addition for us has been Starmark's Everlasting Dental Treats (like these). You can give them to your dog as a treat, but we give them to our dogs in a Bento Ball because it takes them foreverrrr to eat them from that. I think they also fit Wheelers. Not sure of other products.

could be a bad tooth, i would look around in the mouth for any obvious signs of decay, lumps, redness, etc. Also make sure to check between the upper lip and teeth. A puggle I baby sat would get into the cat litter and it'd get stuck up there where he couldn't remove it and I had to dig it out, ugh! That would be pretty stinky!

They do make dog tooth brushes (two kinds, one goes on the finger and another looks sorta like a ppl one but smaller) and tooth paste in flavors like poultry and peanut butter. Mine's a little pup still but we just started and she loves it, it's like a treat 2-3 times a week! I found it at the pet supply store near me, but it's also on Amazon right here! Plus I've heard bad things about Greenies in the past and I don't have to worry about her choking on them or anything with this. And she'll let me in her mouth more readily when she's an adult hopefully.

If there are any problems they may have to clear up first before you can start using something like this, but the vet should be able to tell you for sure come Monday. Good luck!!

This kit has the kind of brush I use - it's very common style, and many are sold through different manufacturers:

https://smile.amazon.com/Petrodex-Natural-Dental-Toothpaste-Toothbrushes/dp/B0002AQBC4/ref=sr_1_32?keywords=dog+toothbrush&qid=1574264522&rnid=2941120011&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-32

Make sure you don't accidentally buy one made for a small dog, but this brush may work for any size.

I get the Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste - my dogs have both really liked the Poultry flavor:

https://smile.amazon.com/Petrodex-Enzymatic-Toothpaste-Buildup-Poultry/dp/B00025K0R6/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=petrodex+toothpaste&qid=1574264736&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-1

I have a couple of these finger brushes, and they seem to work well. I use them to give the teeth a finishing touch, rub along the gumline, and get behind some of the teeth where it's difficult to access with a brush.

https://smile.amazon.com/Petosan-Microfiber-Fingerbrush-Oral-Cleaner/dp/B01B6365SU/ref=sr_1_19?keywords=dog+finger+toothbrush&qid=1574264804&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-19

And I'd like to plug the amazon 'smile' program. If you use smile.amazon.com to buy things they will donate 5% of your purchase price to charity. You get to choose the charity - mine is the Grey Muzzle Organization. But you have to remember to go to smile.amazon.com when purchasing, not the regular amazon.com.

You can always try the enzymatic toothpaste route! My cats love the chicken flavor, it's their favorite. You do have to work up to it though. Just let them get used to licking it off your finger, then you dabbing it on their lips, then you putting it on their front teeth, etc. until you're able to stick your finger on their back molars. It may take a few weeks or a month or two but my cats get excited about it now- they see it like an additional treat! Haha, joke's on them, I'm brushing their teeth.

This one is actually my dog's favorite toy. I don't even put the treats in it, she just likes to play with the toy. She's had it for, like, 4 years and it's still in really good shape. I've tried a few of their toys, and this one and the pickle pocket have been the two best. (The advantage of the pickle pocket is that most dog treats work in it--you don't have to buy Starmark's treats.)

I usually get a lot of comments on how white and bright my dog’s teeth are.

I started when she was a puppy, getting her used to the process. At this point, she allows me to brush every single tooth, top, bottom, even inside. And then I always end it with her favorite part, which is tongue scraping (basically her licking the toothbrush)
FYI: if your dog allows you to, it is ideal to brush each tooth in a circular motion, just like you are supposed to do with your own teeth.

Honestly I used to brush it every other day and gave her dental chews on the off days but even then she would still get accumulated tartar. I even always put doggy mouthwash in her water that is supposed to prevent tartar buildup. The only way to prevent it is to brush everyday. Since I switched to everyday, my vet has told me there’s no buildup at all.

Once they get used to it and you make it a habit, it’s honestly super quick and not much of a hassle. Teeth are so important for dogs - they rarely ever do root canals or fillings - if something is wrong, they usually just extract the tooth. Imagine when they get older, how are they gonna survive if half their teeth are so damaged that they all need to be removed?

I recommend this toothpaste. Petsmile Professional Dog Toothpaste - 4.5 oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OPCW5GG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0hITDbTK65Y7F

This isn’t exactly what you’re looking for but they are pretty good and my pups love them: https://www.amazon.com/C-T-VeggieDent-Chews-Regular/dp/B001P3PR5Y

It is best that you brush their teeth once a day.

They make toothbrushes specifically for dogs but you can use a human toothbrush if you'd like, once you get him used to you brushing his teeth/handling his mouth you can buy some toothpaste made for dogs and start brushing with that (unfortunately you can't use human toothpaste as it has xylitol in it which is toxic to dogs).


Here is a video showing how to brush properly and it also explains a bit about dental disease in canines.

They also have treats/chews/foods made specifically to help reduce tartar, a lot of them are fairly pricey though. If you're going with the treat route then I would get some bully sticks (made of beef pizzle) and give him one of those supervised (so he doesn't choke on any small pieces) for about an hour a day, it will help reduce tartar and they're relatively cheap.


Source: Veterinary Technician

In addition to what others have said, there are also dental sprays available that help freshen breath and help keep teeth clean. Hope it's only temporary and gets better soon once her adult teeth come in!

• Item which would most make me seem like an old posh Englishman maybe a little bit, or not at all. They shower, right? - Home WL
  
  
• Most "oh god, I would never be seen with this in public" looking item - Woof WL
  
  
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• Item which would most help me achieve a goal - Books WL
  
  
• Best item to bring to a deserted island? Food. - Holiday WL

There's a couple of spray/foam products available on Amazon that seem to work pretty well if you use them daily. You can also buy a doggie toothbrush that fits on your finger which is often easier than trying to shove a handled tooth brush in your dogs mouth.

If you're very confident, and careful, you can buy a tartar scraper to try and chip off any thick tartar built up.

You can definitely have anesthesia-free dental cleaning for dogs, the vet I take my dog to does them although it's not in Vancouver.

You should probably call some vets and ask them if they offer that - it might not be year-round because sometimes it's a specialist that travels between cities every few months that does it. Googling "Vancouver vet anesthesia free dental" led me to http://animalcareclinicvancouver.com/index.php , although I can't find the page on it. At worst, you should call them and see if/when they offer it, and if they don't then you can ask them if they know any other vet clinics that do, and if not keep calling other vets. Vancouver is about as large as the city I live in, so I would be very surprised if no options are available.

In the longer term, you can also brush his teeth yourself, although most dogs won't like it you might have to get him used to it for his own health. Link to dog toothbrush and toothpaste.

Also, why does he have a tendency to build up tartar? Is it because of his food or some other condition? Does he have enough chew toys? Chew toys are supposed to help keep a dog's teeth clean.

Best wishes for you and your dog.

Edit:
Adding this link I found after a bit more googling
Anesthesia Free Cleaning in Victoria
It's not Vancouver, but it's pretty close

Orapup works really well for my bulldog. It's pretty quick and easy and the dog loves it.

https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Breath-System-Dogs-Fighting/dp/B00EZZKENY

1. My children
   
2. Virbac C.E.T. VeggieDent Dental Chews, 15 Count to help keep their teeth clean!
   
3. The white one is Sugar and the brown one is Kai. I love how well mannered they are in general with people and other dogs. They are both attention whores and love belly rubs. They both cuddle up to me when I sleep.

I use one of these on a table. It works well and the d6s that came with it love me. Lol

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EOH9FVU/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_o7MUub0F78T2H

I find the finger brushes easiest to use. My girl won't chomp down on my finger, but she'll close down on any brushes. There's enzymatic paste you can buy.

My vet says daily is best, but at least a couple/few times per week is recommended. I'm honestly shit about it though. Her chewing on toys is what cleans her teeth most, by far.

something like this is very good. You actually hold their muzzle shut gently and just get up in there with your finger and dog toothpaste: http://www.amazon.com/Nylabone-Advanced-Oral-Finger-Brush/dp/B006YFZXGG/ref=sr_1_3?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1451256193&sr=1-3&keywords=finger+toothbrush

I just came home and sure enough, the toothpaste we use is Sentry Petrodex. They think it's a treat so it's really easy. Carolina doesn't like the toothbrush it came with so we use a round brush similar to this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XDQVDCG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ZwTKBbWVCQ1B4

yeah, thousands is alot. i mean, my dog had a major heart surgery last year, and the total for surgery, meds, anethesia, etc was only $850 roughly. thats why i cant see spending more on something that you can do at home yourself, ya know? ever try any of these?:

https://www.amazon.com/Jalousie-Silicone-Finger-Cleaning-Brushes/dp/B077852DFY/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1521784474&sr=8-13&keywords=dog+finger+toothbrushes

The toy is called a “Wheeler” toy and treat inside is an Everlasting Dental Treat from Starmark! The toys are normally $30 but they’re $9.90 on Amazon right now and come with a treat inside!

I use this one. It works really well, especially in hard to reach places like the back teeth. Hope this helps!

1. You can try pig ears. They aren't as long lasting (about 5ish minutes for my dog), but they are cheaper than pizzles (100 pig ears for ~$105 on Amazon).
   
   2)One of the longest lasting chew things for dogs are antlers, but you do have to be careful because they are quite hard and your dog could damage his teeth.
   
   3)Whimzees (dental treat that directly competes with Greenies) can take my dog a while to finish (10ish minutes) and they're cheaper (about $2.75 each for the 7ct bag or ~$1.66 each if you buy the bulk package). We stopped giving the Whimzees to our dog because they have definitely gone up in price (I remember them being about $1 each once upon a time) and they can stain the carpet while it's being consumed. I'd have to put a big towel down and make my dog eat on the towel. He'd shift around and then I had to shift the towel too. It just became more hassle for me so I stop getting them.

In my experience the dental chews function more are breath mints rather than cleaning the teeth. Their is special toothpaste for dogs because they don't know to spit out the toothpaste so it is important you don't use human toothpaste because the fluoride will upset their stomach. This is what I use http://www.amazon.com/Petrodex-Dental-Poultry-Toothpaste-Toothbrushes/dp/B0002AQASO/ref=pd_sim_petsupplies_22 and I also bought an additive for his water which did improve the smell. I usually brush my dogs teeth right before we go to bed because they say they shouldN'T drink or eat for 30 minutes before or after the brushing although I don't know why that is.

edit: also you only need to brush the outside of the teeth not the inside.

There is dental cleaning without anesthesia though it is not as thorough. I'd start by looking for it in your area. Then there's dental water additive, and dental chews. There's also getting a smaller toothbrush like this and a tartar control toothpaste. My dog is an 8lb Yorkie and it fits in his mouth other reviewers claim even smaller dogs like 4lbs.

It's this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BYVNNZG/ref=dp_cerb_2?th=1&psc=1
They come in different flavours too! My cat loves the poultry one.

Why bother with a grip at all? They make fingertip toothbrushes -- if it's good enough for Fluffy, it's probably good enough for you.

I use this
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B00RZDXA7K/

Have you checked pet stores?