February is National Pet Dental Health Month. Do you brush your dog’s teeth? Starting the first night we moved in with Mom, we each learned to have our teeth brushed. Our bedtime routine means that each of us brush our teeth before turning in. At our house, it is even more important than putting on our pj’s or taking our bedtime baths!
It is just a fact that most humans don’t brush their dog’s teeth and that is a sad thing as dental health is important to the overall health of a dog, not just their teeth. If you get your puppy in the habit of brushing its teeth right away, they will love and accept it. Common excuses for not brushing a dog’s teeth are “my dog doesn’t like it”, “I don’t have time”, or “my dog is older and doesn’t like it”. Well, my mom started brushing her first dog’s teeth when Trine was around two. You have to start slowly and let the dog adjust. My sisters and I line up and wait for our turn as we really enjoy it. Sure the flavored toothpaste helps, but it feels good having a nice teeth and gum massage! It only takes a few minutes for each of us, and in the long run it saves time and money as we don’t need expensive teeth cleaning and we don’t have dental related health issues. Make sure you always use a toothpaste that is for dogs, not for humans and if possible use a brush for dogs as they clean a dog’s teeth more effectively. We use toothpaste and a brush from Doctors Foster and Smith.
Since dental health is important to us, we also have various chews and treats we eat or gnaw on to help keep out chompers in tip top condition. One tasty snack alternative we enjoy are the Kong Dental Chews! I never knew Kong made treats until Mom brought a few things back from BlogPaws last year. I recently got an email from Kong asking if I would like to review their Kong Dental Chews and I said yes. They sent me a couple to try out in the M/L size.
I really liked them. It took about four minutes for me to finish one off and I tend to be a slow eater. I had the Fresh Breath flavor and Mom said my breath was “absolutely kissable” after I finished my chew. I personally give these treats four paws up! That is a good thing! What does Kong have to say about their Dental Chews? They are designed to be as beneficial to teeth as they are tempting to dogs. These all-natural chews fight plaque and tarter buildup, inhibiting bacterial growth to reduce chances of gum disease. The vitamin-enriched formula is made only with healthy, human-grade ingredients. Designed to fit into a KONG, they’re available in three sizes and three delicious flavors–chicken, fresh breath and calcium—and are all made in the US with natural preservatives. KONG was founded in 1976 and is based in Golden, Colorado. They are best known for their rubber Kong toys. You may also remember that Bailie and I both purchased KONG harnesses to use as our Nose Work uniforms. KONG has lots of great products for your pup!
One other product we are starting to use to see how it works for us is PetzLife Complete Oral Care Gel. We have heard of this product before but never saw it until we were at the Pet Expo on the weekend. Mom bought a bottle of it and I will test it out for a month and let you all know how it works.
There is no doubt, I love the taste of it!
Disclosure: I received Kong Dental Chews from Kong to review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this review and I receive no additional benefits for barking about the product or the company. The opinions in this review are my own, honest opinions.
Since I am barking about treats and edible oral care gel, I’m joining the Tasty Tuesday Blog Hop fun sponsored by Kol’s Notes & Sugar the Golden Retriever If you are looking for tasty ideas, take a look at what other dogs are baking and eating!
Oh Katie, what did your mom do to you? I’m sorry I’m laughing, but you look so grumpy and so cute. That’s an awesome photo with doggies in pajamas and one in the tub =D
You know kids…get grumpy when we are tired 🙂
I must admit to being lazy about this. I do give Jack & Maggie chews, but we don’t brush. I have to make myself do it – they are both seniors and already have some teeth issues.
Poor Katie looks so miserable in that photo…she really does hate getting her pic taken doesn’t she.
She really dislikes photos especially if she feels like she looks silly, but we like to include her sometimes anyway.
Treats that count as teeth brushing sound great. 🙂 I admit we don’t brush the dogs’ teeth, but we try to give hard chews. Storm had her teeth checked yesterday and the vet said they looked really good. 🙂
We brush, eat occasional dental treats and have lots of antlers around for chewing. We figure the more we do, the better.
Katie looks so sad. I hope she got a treat to try!
I know, she kind of ruins the photo, but we like her included in family photos.
Okay…I have to ask…even though I think I know the answer already. You all don’t REALLY get baths every night, do you? LOL!
Heavens no, but for the post it sounded good. We don’t wear pajamas either 😉
LOL! I figured “no” on the PJs too. 🙂
Sometimes I think the photos grab curious readers more than the post title, so I need to get my sisters and I to look interesting 😉
We didn’t know that KONG made treats either. Gotta try them as we’re always looking for treats made in the USA and won’t use any others…
They actually have lots of different treats, but these were the dental chews.
YES, you have to start young. Pet Dental care is very important. We LOVE KONG too. Happy Tasty Tuesday. Golden Woofs
Mom started brushing Trine’s teeth when she was a couple years old and she caught on right away. You can start at any age, but the earlier you get going on it, the better off your teeth will be 🙂
Those chews look great. Any help to keep the teeth clean is awesome.
We use lots of things along with brushing. We want to keep our healthy chompers!
We are guilty of not brushing. My teeth are in good condition now and I get lots of chews to help keep them clean. But you’re right, brushing is important and we need to start (but mummy is dreading lol)
OMD you all in the bathroom is priceless.. Your mum takes the best pix ever. I have dried food at night and only wet in the mornings and dental chews. So far my nashers are fine, touch wood or should we say enamel. We know how important dental hygiene is.
Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly
We have never had wet food but hear it is awesome. Glad your chompers are in good shape 🙂
I didn’t start brushing Eko’s teeth until he was around a year old and I wish I started sooner. It was definitely a bit of a learning curve at first, but now he loves having his teeth brushed because the toothpaste is a treat. Well worth the effort in the long run.
We all line up for it when Mom gets the brushing supplies out. Even humans like brushing more if their toothpaste is to their liking 🙂
Dogs are lucky. They’re more likely to eat hard food and many of them tolerate tooth brushing better than cats do. But I’ve known cats to really suffer with pain from dental disease.
Luckily I’ve never had a dog with a big problem with tooth and gum problems. I find that my dogs’ teeth have been healthier the better the quality of the food I feed them as well.
You pups are very lucky to have someone taking such good care of your teeth.
My cat bro Bert has some dental issues. He was at least three when we got him, so who knows what happened before we adopted him. Mom tried to brush his teeth but that was impossible. He recently had his teeth cleaned, luckily no damage found. Now he is eating greenies and getting gel to prevent tartar.
Wow, you LIKE the taste of Petzlife?? Our dogs would violently try to get away from it as soon as they saw the bottle! They did learn fairly quickly to have the gel applied without a fight but I’d never say they really enjoyed the taste. After applying it religiously twice daily for almost two weeks, Dot got really sick. Come to find out, she cannot handle fish oil and we bought the salmon oil variety! Doh!
Mom bought the Salmon flavor since it wasn’t such a strong smell and we all love it. I’m picky too, so that is saying a lot. We will test it out and see how it goes.
I love dental chews. Every night I get a brushing and a chew! Ok well actually, brushing is more like 3-4x/week but every night I get a chew!
We are the opposite…brushing every night and a few nights a week a chew 😉
Y’all look darn snazzy in the PJs! I am glad to hear that you look forward the the teeth brushing!
We couldn’t be naked on my blog you know 😉
We use dental chews daily, but I admit the toothbrush-torture we do only two times per week. I would like to hear what you think about the oral care gel, that sounds interesting.
We don’t have much build up on our teeth, but we will see if the gel gets rid of some of the stuff that Katie and I have in hard to reach places.
I won a bag of Kong dentals in a give-away but I’m worried that Delilah won’t chew them right, so I’ve hesitated to give them to them.
Since S&D eat raw, their teeth are pretty clean, Delilah’s especially although I don’t know why since she rarely chews her food. 🙂
You have a good mom Emma, she makes sure you are well cared for!
I think they would crunch on them since they are really hard. When I bit mine it broke into pieces that I then ate like my dog food.
Emma, You know how much I LOVE to brush my teeth too! Did you see that I dropped a hint about you being my sweetie today? (Bentley blushing) I am glad that you enjoy your nightly brushing but I don’t think your big sis is a fan of her pjs. You look adorable <3
Katie is not a fan of being funny or having photos taken but we like to include her sometimes anyway. I wasn’t sure if you were barking about me or another dog in MN. I should make some cookies today to warm me up as it is so very cold outside and getting colder.
Emma, I’m glad you are so conscientious about keeping your teeth clean. Love your PJs.
Thanks! We are big into dental health, wearing seat belts and fitness at our house 🙂
You look adorable getting ready for bed! All of you!!!
Being cute gets you more snuggle invitations!
Such cute photos, and thank you so much for reminding my human mommy that she really does need to do more to care for m teeth. The salmon-flavored PetzLife gel sounds great. I love salmon. Maybe I’m part bear!
Grrrr…big bear! We picked the salmon because the plain was really strong peppermint and Mom thought we might not like it so much. We love the salmon flavor. I will see how it works and post about it in late March.
Great post today. We did one on Dental health month also. We do brush our dogs teeth, although not every day as we should. At least once a week though, and we love our greenies and bones to help keep the tartar off our pearlies.
((husky hugz))
frum our pack at love is being owned by a husky
The kitties have greenies. They are so expensive and we chomp them down so fast, Mom doesn’t see any point in them for us.
Oh my gosh, that first photo is just priceless! We are going to start brushing Luke’s teeth as soon as he gets his adult ones in. I’ll be interested to hear how that gel works too, because the girls do not cooperate with getting their teeth brushed. Kong makes some great stuff so we might try those treats too. What flavor toothpaste do you girls like, Emma? I tried every flavor I could find with Kobi and the girls and they wanted nothing to do with any of them!
I would not wait to start on Luke’s teeth. We start immediately with just a touch of toothpaste on the brush and then putting it in the mouth along the teeth. Bailie loves it and runs after Mom when she gets the stuff out at night waiting for her turn. She still doesn’t let Mom brush as much as Katie and I do, but she is always getting more patient with it. With the other dogs, start with just some toothpaste on your finger and rub their teeth a bit for a week or two, then put some on the toothbrush and put it in their mouth without really brushing for a week or so and then slowly start brushing. You have to have the attitude that it will be done but also slow and gentle. It has always worked for Mom, but definitely don’t wait with Luke. Not sure what flavor our toothpaste is, just tartar control from Doctors Foster and Smith as it is good stuff and reasonably priced.
Thanks for the advice, Emma! I was thinking Luke just wouldn’t need it until he had his adult teeth, but you are right, the sooner we start the better so he’ll get used to it. We gets lots of stuff from Drs Foster and Smith, so we will probably try some of theirs too. I’ll let you know how we make out!
If you start now, then by the time he has the adult chompers he will be used to brushing, although puppies never let you brush as much and well as us adult dogs, but some is better than none. It will be a habit and that is the best thing.
We ordered our new toothpaste from Pet 360 last week -Vanilla Mint – yummy, we have a whole new outlook about brushing now…
That is awesome! Those boys need to be kissable with their handsomeness 😉
You guys in your jammies & shower cap is just priceless! That is good that your mom brushes your teeth, mine does not have the patience to do it. Which is good that I love my Nylabones! Treats are nice to but not for me because of allergies. Love Dolly
The mom is LOL at the first picture! She says she will go to the store and get me a toothbrush and toothpaste tomorrow. Thanks for the reminder. XOXO Sparkle the PBGV
We’ve never had much luck getting good supplies at the store, so we always order online, but if she can find it, great! The sooner you start the better, but remember, begin with just some toothpaste on the brush in your mouth and work up to brushing. Bailie still isn’t real patient, but she lets Mom brush more and more. It is like little kids, 30 seconds for them is an eternity, but as a youngster the most important thing is to get the habit going.
You girls are too cute in your pj’s. That first picture is so cute! We get dental chews and only eat dry food but haven’t tried the teeth brushing yet. We will tell our pawrents to get to it!
Millie & Walter
I won’t lie pal, you won’t like it at first, but give it some time and if your parents are patient, you will learn to love it in a few weeks time.
I see you made Bailie do the tub modeling! BOL! You’re right, dental health is very, very important!
Bunny
We figured the little stinker could use a bath 😉 She actually liked it in the tub, silly girl!
Shiner loves those chews! I think that it’s not just a good idea to start with a young puppy for the sake of them being used to it, but for the human’s sake. Then maybe us humans would be used to doing it all the time instead of forgetting or making up excuses.
You are right, it is all about developing a habit. Mom hates flossing but knows she has to do it daily and if you start slacking, then it will all fall by the wayside in time, so make it a habit from day one and stick with it.
OMD, that first picture is hilarious, will be laughing all day, sorry guys BOL xxoxxx
Mollie and Alfie
What? Your family doesn’t look like that at bedtime?
Can’t believe you line up to have your teeth brushed!! Despite having my teeth brushed regularly as a puppy, I hate it!
Great post and lover those photos! Jeffie, Rudy and Rosie sleep in the nude, so they were amazed at your PJs. Love, love, love those KONG dental chews. They’re a staple at our house.
Actually, don’t tell anyone but we sleep nude too. After we brush our teeth, the collars come off until we go out in the morning 😉 Sometimes you just need a catchy photo to grab human attention.
I don’t thinkKatie is impressed with her PJs!
It is important to have healthy teeth, I’ve had mine cleaned since I was a pup.
Katie doesn’t like looking silly or taking photos, but she is family so I wanted to include her.
I try to brush Pierson’s teeth daily, although I often forget. I was in a good routine for a while but somehow I got off my game. I use Tropiclean gel and a spray and a regular human tooth brush. He also gets lots of dental chews, although we have not tried the Kong brand yet.
We use a human toothbrush and the one for dogs, kind of rotate them. Mom can’t forget because we wait for teethbrushing at night.
Mommy says she is going to have to check out that Oral Care Gel! Mommy brushes our teeth but she probably doesn’t do it as much as she should. She is kind of a slacker at times! Shhhh….don’t tell her I said that!
We are testing it out for a few weeks and will then post about how we like it. We like the taste so far.