I'm not against anyone using pet tooth paste, by all means. :) I even asked my pet store if it was okay if there was a difference between cat tooth paste and dog tooth paste.

To put this into perspective, when I brush Thor's teeth with diluted Listerine, I use one measuring cup of water that is 10% Listerine. Then I use <5% of that solution with brushing his teeth. So there is a tiny, tiny amount actually going into his mouth.

Thor actually likes the minty flavor just as much as the toothpaste (and hates getting his teeth brushed with both). As for the benefits, as I said, it's much easier for me to determine when I've actually done some good. With chicken toothpaste, I can't really tell if I've made any difference or not because Thor's mouth smells just as bad before and after. I could forget to brush one side of his mouth and I wouldn't know about it. With Listerine, there is a very distinct difference. And FYI, Listerine does address tartar, it's not like a breath mint.

Anyway, I certainly wouldn't discourage anyone from using dog-formulated toothpaste. At the same time, I think there's some value in differentiating between things that would be very dangerous for your dog, say, eating a bunch of baking chocolate, and something that stands a very small chance of being harmful. I have actually read books that said you should only give your dog bottled water. Most of us would think that's excessive, despite the flouride, correct?

So, anyway. I think that's all I have to say on the subject. :)

I use the same home made paste my kids and I use.
Just combine in a little container:
5 tsps baking soda (whitener)
1/4 tsp sea salt (abrasive)
5 tsps vegetable glycerin (base)
10 drops pure peppermint or spearmint oil (breath freshener)

Curly hates to have her teeth brushed but no more with this than with a plain brush with water.

I use a minty dog toothpaste. But I think that some people get overly cautious with certain things when it comes to dogs, some treat the dogs better then they treat themselves.

But again we all have our own opinions and if something is working for you and your pet, nobody should bash another for it! ;)

I am definitely guilty of treating my fur and skin kids better than myself.

Thanks for sharing this recipe. I SO snagged it! :thumbup:

The breeder gave me a toothbrush when I picked up Marley. I can imagine trying to stick that thing in his mouth! I'm sure that's going to go over really well with him. He doesn't even like to be brushed much less have a brush stuck in his mouth!! LOL

Introduce the brush gradually. Don't just stick it in his mouth and start brushing. At first I started by just letting Missy lick the doggy toothpaste off. Then she started kinda chewing on the brush all on her own. Once she seemed comfortable, I would start doing the brushing strokes. If she pulled away or wanted to stop, I did. Now she LOVESSSS brushing her teeth. Oh, and this is something that I started doing the first week of getting her. Now, every night when I'm done brushing my teeth she whines for hers to be brushed too. She knows the routine. :)

Thank YOU so much for this! I guess I should hang back and do it this way instead! Thanks!

yorkie_mama22, where do you find minty dog toothpaste?

I'm pretty sure I've seen minty toothpaste for dogs at petco or petsmart. They also make finger toothbrushes that are easier to use than real toothbrushes

I have always hear as a kid from my doctor, no one should ever swallow adult human toothpaste or mouthwash as it is very bad for a human so I assume it would be the same for kids.

Yep I got it at Petsmart. The reason I went for minty is because Stormy's breath is not great and well this makes it nice for a little while! I also use a baby finger toothbrush. Oh and recently I did my own "dental" cleaning on her teeth and scraped her teeth a bit and now I don't need to have her put under for a cleaning :p She also lost one of her baby teeth and only has one more left which I am hoping will fall out as well!

CET makes a vanilla mint flavor toothpaste. It's formulated to be safe to swallow.

Virbac Animal Health | C.E.T.

Oh, okay. I'd seen that before, but I thought the vanilla was the primary flavor. I think Thor's old owner said he did not like that flavor, but I'm going to give it another shot.

Well, that's not the flavor I would pick for a dog myself, but you asked about mint. I'd choose poultry or another flavor that dogs like.

If your dog has bad breathe...there is something more going on than simply needing thier teeth brushed.

I have four dogs....none of them have bad breathe.