Brushing Teeth: How often & etc
 

I was wondering how often do you brush your Yorkie's teeth~? I usually brush them once a day and then he knows right after he gets a treat...dental treat. He's gotten use to it, but hardly can get to his bottom row of teeth before he's ready to jump on down. Any of ya'll have issues like that~? I use a finger with bristle-type of brush. What do ya'll use~?

I brush once a day too. I alternate between a finger brush and a three-sided brush that a YTer sent me. I like both for different reasons. Eddie tolerates the finger brush better, but the three-sided brush works better.

When I started out, he used to fight me, but I just started slow. I'd be happy with doing just the front teeth. Slowly, I started brushing one side on the back. Then I'd add the other side. Now I do the whole mouth. He doesn't love it, but he knows he doesn't get down until we finish.

I have had a question about this, and Im glad someone reminded me to ask! LOL

My Bella is only 6 months old now and I haven't yet brushed her teeth. Is this necessary? Ive read people just do it ONCE a week, or once every other week to once a day (which is a little excessive in my eyes).

Do I have to have her spit out the toothpaste or is it safe for them to swallow?

What are the consequences of not brushing?

Back in January of this year, I took a class at Feeder's Supply (a pet store here) for puppies and new owners. The teacher told us as well as showed us about brushing their teeth. We have to do it to maintain our health as with dogs as well. They make a dog toothpaste that you can find in your pet shop in your town. I brush Maxwell's everyday, tho sometimes I skip by accident. Today, I brushed them twice since he was digging up some dirt and eating it. Anyways, the doggie toothpaste is safe for them to swallow and comes in peanut butter (what I use) and chicken. Maybe other brands have more choices. Happy Brushing~!

I'm a firm believer in brushing. Eddie is 4, and his teeth are as white as ever. His breath is great too. My vet, however, said he doesn't think it's necessary. He says genetics affect the dog's dental health more than anything, and he doesn't think brushing is worth the effort. At worst, he says, the dog has to get some teeth pulled as an older adult (Jack, my 12-year-old rescue, has about 6 left), and even then they have no problem getting nourishment. They can even swallow their kibble if necessary. I decided to try brushing, and many people I've talked to here said you should do it every day to make a difference.

Don't use human toothpaste on them, though. Get a canine toothpaste. Eddie's favorite is Petrodex chicken flavor. I try not to give him too much. Others have said they thought peanut flavor was better for them.

I can't answer all your questions, but I just "brush" MY Bella's :D teeth once a week (or 2 weeks sometimes....:eek:) I think that's ok, but maybe I"m wrong?? Hopefully someone else answers more fully.

They sell toothpaste for dogs (and cats too) and it's safe to swallow. lol, I can just imagine trying to get her to spit it out! I actually have just been using the Dental Wipes for teeth.....they come in a little round container and have round pads (kind of like those Clearasil pads for faces) that are pre-soaked. It's kind of like brushing a baby's teeth or gums....you just wipe them down with the textured cloth. It smells minty, and she doesn't seem to mind it. I don't think I could get a toothbrush in her mouth, it's so small! And I don't think I could get the finger type brush very far back...just the front ones. Also, with my cats (back when I got my first and tried it....doesn't work as well with cats, trust me!) my vet had told me that you should mainly brush the fronts, and the tops if you can. He said their tongues clean the inside of their teeth and the things they chew on will clean the tops too. It's mainly the fronts you have to worry about..... I just do what I can for as long as I can get her to be still-ish.

My dog trainer and groomer both told me they think brushing is unnecessary. They feel yorkies teeth problems evolve from genetics and that owners tend to spoil yorkies with lots of people food. They said to feed kibble a to feed kibble and give hard things to chew. I still do brush her teeth when I bathe her about 1x per month.
Bonnie and Cocoa