What diet is best for their teeth? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

mminichan · 10-30-2007, 09:25 AM

Ok, so I have a conversation with my friend about raw diet vs. kibble. I told her that raw diet is good for their teeth and she said not. She said greyhounds are on a raw meat diet when they are at the track. (She has a greyhound) and turn out they have really bad teeth. She said kibble breaks off the tartar and plaque (even her vet agreed to that also). She said raw diet is feeding soft meat, how in the world that would be better for their teeth?

tanksmom · 10-30-2007, 09:40 AM

BONES A raw diet includes bones.

abbie's mom · 10-30-2007, 09:50 AM

...Your friend needs to do some serious research in RAW feeding. Kibble leaves behind tartar-causing agents, because the dog's system is not designed to digest the stuff that's in it. Yes, the Raw diet should consist of mostly muscle meat and a percentage of BONE and organs. Poor Greyhounds, if they only got soft meat while working. And, doesn't that tell one something? That the owners knew their dogs would fare better on raw meat (be stronger for the races), so fed them accordingly for performance! My dogs - one Yorkie (23months), and one mix (in his 13thyear) never have stinky breathe. The vet can't get over how great their teeth are. I never have them cleaned

.

lara2913 · 10-30-2007, 10:31 AM

Its the raw meaty bones in a raw diet that make it good for their teeth. The crunching of the bones and ripping of meat from the bone helps to build muscle and keep teeth strong and tartar free. My babes have gorgeous teeth and perfect breath. Kibble causes a nasty build up of plaque between the teeth over time, we don't expect to eat cookies to keep our teeth clean do we?

MyFairLacy · 10-30-2007, 07:52 PM

the raw meat also doesn't leave the tarter buildup that kibble will. Lacy's been on a raw diet for a year and a half and only has ground up bones in her food and she still has great teeth! So it's not the soft meat that causes tarter buildup

mminichan · 10-31-2007, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

the raw meat also doesn't leave the tarter buildup that kibble will. Lacy's been on a raw diet for a year and a half and only has ground up bones in her food and she still has great teeth! So it's not the soft meat that causes tarter buildup

Do you only feed Lucy raw meat only? The nature's variety? Where did you get the group up bones? Do you think feeding only the Merrick flossies is good enough and could sub. bones? oh also, what do you think of pet insurance? I know you are in vet school now..just wonder your point of view on pet insurance? thanks!

MyFairLacy · 10-31-2007, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mminichan

Do you only feed Lucy raw meat only? The nature's variety? Where did you get the group up bones? Do you think feeding only the Merrick flossies is good enough and could sub. bones? oh also, what do you think of pet insurance? I know you are in vet school now..just wonder your point of view on pet insurance? thanks!

Yes, she eats the raw medallions by nature's variety. They are premixed with the correct ratio of meat, bones, and organs. The bones are ground up in it. I've given her a raw chicken neck a couple of times and she seemed to really like them and did fine with them. I think bully stix and flossies help somewhat but probably aren't as good as a real bone. I do give Lacy bully stix to chew on. I also brush her teeth once a week when i bathe her.

I don't know a lot about pet insurance. I looked into one once and thought about getting it because it said it would pay 80% of the cost...but then I saw that was after a $75 deductible. I didn't think it was worth it for me because we normally just go in for routine visits - once for a bladder infection that did cost a few hundred dollars so I guess it would have been nice then. And defiinitely good if you normally spend quite a bit when you go to the vet. And I don't have a lot of extra money being in vet school so I don't want to have to be making monthly payments on something.

mminichan · 10-31-2007, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

Yes, she eats the raw medallions by nature's variety. They are premixed with the correct ratio of meat, bones, and organs. The bones are ground up in it. I've given her a raw chicken neck a couple of times and she seemed to really like them and did fine with them. I think bully stix and flossies help somewhat but probably aren't as good as a real bone. I do give Lacy bully stix to chew on. I also brush her teeth once a week when i bathe her.

I don't know a lot about pet insurance. I looked into one once and thought about getting it because it said it would pay 80% of the cost...but then I saw that was after a $75 deductible. I didn't think it was worth it for me because we normally just go in for routine visits - once for a bladder infection that did cost a few hundred dollars so I guess it would have been nice then. And defiinitely good if you normally spend quite a bit when you go to the vet. And I don't have a lot of extra money being in vet school so I don't want to have to be making monthly payments on something.

I see. I didn't know the bones are ground up in the raw medallions by nature's variety.

I don't spend much on Chloe yet. She is a healthy furbaby so far. The VPI would pay up to 90% of the cost and with $50 deductible. I am still considering if I should get one for Chloe or not. But she seems extremely healthy to me!

Sookie · 10-31-2007, 11:13 AM

I understand what you are saying about the Greyhounds, because my niece adopted a Greyhound with very bad teeth and they told her the same exact thing! I have Kalina on the raw diet and her teeth look pretty and her breath is pleasant. I give her the medallions but I also give her a RMB to chew on a few times a week. She never finishes the bone, but she enjoys them and so I have decided to continue giving them to her.

I hear that fresh green tripe is absolutely fantastic for the teeth - something to do with the Ph balance. I give Kalina a little bit of green tripe every day. She loves it. Here is an interesting article about green tripe. http://www.fleetfiretimbers.com/FFT/...utsNoGlory.htm

abbie's mom · 11-01-2007, 01:15 AM

Great article on green tripe! Thanks for sharing. I hope everyone takes time to read it.

I do have issue with one statement, however:

Quote:

Almost all of the books recommended feeding raw meats, vegetables and grains, raw bones, herbal supplements, fasting one day per week, fresh water supply and plenty of fresh air and exercise.

Canines do not need, nor can they digest properly, vegetables and grains. In fact, grains are behind many of the allergies suffered by kibble-fed dogs. And, if they are getting a well-rounded raw meaty/bone diet, they don't need supplements.

*sigh*

Sookie · 11-01-2007, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abbie's mom

Great article on green tripe! Thanks for sharing. I hope everyone takes time to read it.

I do have issue with one statement, however:Canines do not need, nor can they digest properly, vegetables and grains. In fact, grains are behind many of the allergies suffered by kibble-fed dogs. And, if they are getting a well-rounded raw meaty/bone diet, they don't need supplements.

*sigh*

I agree. That jumped out at me too. I don't fast Kalina either. She looks so forward to her 4 oz. per day that I just don't have the heart to fast her once a week.

lara2913 · 11-01-2007, 06:35 AM

I don't fast either, its really not a good idea to fast small dogs because of their blood sugar. I don't feed any grains and rarely feed vegetables. Supplement wise as long as they get variety they don't need anything, I give salmon oil and vitamin e, but not because they need it, just because it gives their coat that extra shine.

mminichan · 11-01-2007, 06:45 AM

I think this would be a good idea....

For those who feed their baby RAW diet...could you please share your one week meal plan with us? I am interested in trying out RAW diet but need more guidelines...

Thanks!!

lara2913 · 11-01-2007, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mminichan

I think this would be a good idea....

For those who feed their baby RAW diet...could you please share your one week meal plan with us? I am interested in trying out RAW diet but need more guidelines...

Thanks!!

Ok well no week is the same as the next, I really don't have a plan, just go with the flow. However this is how one might go, btw when I say muscle meat i'm talking about any boneless meat and the RMB's are raw meaty bones.

Monday-
AM- liver/kidney and heart
PM- Chicken RMB's (wings/drumsticks/thighs etc)

Tuesday-
AM- Lamb muscle meat
PM- Lamb RMB's (chops/meaty ribs etc)

Wednesday-
AM- Turkey muscle meat and live yogurt
PM- Turkey RMB's (necks/wings)

Thursday-
AM- Green tripe
PM- Rabbit (muscle meat or rmb's, depends what I can get, rabbit is great but difficult to find where I live)

Friday-
AM- Chicken muscle meat and live yogurt
PM- Chicken RMB's

Saturday-
AM- Fish
PM- Turkey RMB's

Sunday-
AM- Beef muscle meat and eggs
PM- Lamb RMB's

mminichan · 11-01-2007, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lara2913

Ok well no week is the same as the next, I really don't have a plan, just go with the flow. However this is how one might go, btw when I say muscle meat i'm talking about any boneless meat and the RMB's are raw meaty bones.

Monday-
AM- liver/kidney and heart
PM- Chicken RMB's (wings/drumsticks/thighs etc)

Tuesday-
AM- Lamb muscle meat
PM- Lamb RMB's (chops/meaty ribs etc)

Wednesday-
AM- Turkey muscle meat and live yogurt
PM- Turkey RMB's (necks/wings)

Thursday-
AM- Green tripe
PM- Rabbit (muscle meat or rmb's, depends what I can get, rabbit is great but difficult to find where I live)

Friday-
AM- Chicken muscle meat and live yogurt
PM- Chicken RMB's

Saturday-
AM- Fish
PM- Turkey RMB's

Sunday-
AM- Beef muscle meat and eggs
PM- Lamb RMB's

Thanks!!

10-30-2007, 09:25 AM	#1
mminichan Slave to Princess Chloe Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 1,258	What diet is best for their teeth? Ok, so I have a conversation with my friend about raw diet vs. kibble. I told her that raw diet is good for their teeth and she said not. She said greyhounds are on a raw meat diet when they are at the track. (She has a greyhound) and turn out they have really bad teeth. She said kibble breaks off the tartar and plaque (even her vet agreed to that also). She said raw diet is feeding soft meat, how in the world that would be better for their teeth?

10-30-2007, 09:50 AM	#3
abbie's mom Lovin' 2 Girls Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: VA Posts: 3,593 Blog Entries: 4	...Your friend needs to do some serious research in RAW feeding. Kibble leaves behind tartar-causing agents, because the dog's system is not designed to digest the stuff that's in it. Yes, the Raw diet should consist of mostly muscle meat and a percentage of BONE and organs. Poor Greyhounds, if they only got soft meat while working. And, doesn't that tell one something? That the owners knew their dogs would fare better on raw meat (be stronger for the races), so fed them accordingly for performance! My dogs - one Yorkie (23months), and one mix (in his 13thyear) never have stinky breathe. The vet can't get over how great their teeth are. I never have them cleaned . __________________ Ask Abi

10-30-2007, 10:31 AM	#4
lara2913 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: UK Posts: 1,920	Its the raw meaty bones in a raw diet that make it good for their teeth. The crunching of the bones and ripping of meat from the bone helps to build muscle and keep teeth strong and tartar free. My babes have gorgeous teeth and perfect breath. Kibble causes a nasty build up of plaque between the teeth over time, we don't expect to eat cookies to keep our teeth clean do we? __________________ Indy, Benjamin and Malachi There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face- Ben Williams

10-30-2007, 07:52 PM	#5
MyFairLacy Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 11,003	the raw meat also doesn't leave the tarter buildup that kibble will. Lacy's been on a raw diet for a year and a half and only has ground up bones in her food and she still has great teeth! So it's not the soft meat that causes tarter buildup __________________ ~Magnifique Yorkies~ Purchasing from backyard breeders, pet shops, and puppymills perpetuates the suffering of other dogs. Educate yourself and buy from reputable breeders or rescue.

10-31-2007, 11:13 AM	#9
Sookie My Four Sweet Babies Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Jersey near Philadelphia Posts: 5,452	I understand what you are saying about the Greyhounds, because my niece adopted a Greyhound with very bad teeth and they told her the same exact thing! I have Kalina on the raw diet and her teeth look pretty and her breath is pleasant. I give her the medallions but I also give her a RMB to chew on a few times a week. She never finishes the bone, but she enjoys them and so I have decided to continue giving them to her. I hear that fresh green tripe is absolutely fantastic for the teeth - something to do with the Ph balance. I give Kalina a little bit of green tripe every day. She loves it. Here is an interesting article about green tripe. http://www.fleetfiretimbers.com/FFT/...utsNoGlory.htm __________________ I LOVE MY BABIES Last edited by Sookie; 10-31-2007 at 11:16 AM.

10-30-2007, 09:40 AM	#2
tanksmom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: texas Posts: 563	BONES A raw diet includes bones.

11-01-2007, 06:35 AM	#12
lara2913 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: UK Posts: 1,920	I don't fast either, its really not a good idea to fast small dogs because of their blood sugar. I don't feed any grains and rarely feed vegetables. Supplement wise as long as they get variety they don't need anything, I give salmon oil and vitamin e, but not because they need it, just because it gives their coat that extra shine. __________________ Indy, Benjamin and Malachi There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face- Ben Williams

11-01-2007, 06:45 AM	#13
mminichan Slave to Princess Chloe Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 1,258	I think this would be a good idea.... For those who feed their baby RAW diet...could you please share your one week meal plan with us? I am interested in trying out RAW diet but need more guidelines... Thanks!!