Baths, Diet, and Bushing Teeth????

[BrokenHair81]

I just got a 9.5 week old. He's 3lbs and very healthy. I am just a little unsure about some issues.

1. How often should I give him a bath?

2. Should I brush his teeth? If so, how often?

3. How much should he be eating and drinking? Is there a formula for this?

[Brookef18]

I bath my pup every week... some people say every other week... see what ya think. I have a area dryer I use to dry Chewy... But some use blow dryers. I swish the shampoo in the bath water instead of putting it on the pup...you don't want to dry their skin and it makes it easyer to rinse. I also use tearless shampoo..

I would start brushing now... I brush teeth every day. My baby puts up a huge fight with this...

I know my pup didn't eat a lot at one time... but he was peeing and pooping a lot so I knew he was getting enough... make sure they eat every few hours though... they can go into hypoglycemic shock if they don't eat often enough. Chewy had to be hand feed at times because he was picky and I would worry!!!

Best of Luck with the new pup!

[FlDebra]

Originally Posted by BrokenHair81

1. How often should I give him a bath?
2. Should I brush his teeth? If so, how often?
3. How much should he be eating and drinking?

1. Whenever he is dirty -- I usually make it once a week, but they might get food on them, poop stuck in their hair, etc. and they get a spontanteous bath in between.
2. The experts all seem to be saying yes, brush their teeth. I have never done this and have had vets swear I must be doing it because their teeth looked so clean. Dry kibble and plenty of things to chew on keep them clean. I will run a washcloth across their gums at bathtime. Most groomers will now brush their teeth too.
3. There is no hard and fast rule for this one. Mine have never eaten the amount the bag says to give them. In fact, my two Yorkie pups together are barely eating what it says to give one per day on one of the brands. But they run, play, have plenty of BMs and look very healthy. So, I am not worried. Starting out, I put out 1/4 cup of kibble at a time. Now I add about 1/2 cup a day for a 4 month old and 2 month old. I will also give them each a rounded teaspoon of canned food and about the same amount of cottage cheese each day as sort of a treat. They have not been eating all of the canned food (Natural Balance) but they LOVE cottage cheese!

Ben came to us on Nutro and Sadie came to us on Science Diet. I have been trying different kinds of kibble. I received several sample packs when I asked online. I don't see them avoiding one or picking out one brand over another. When I find one that they seem to like instead of tolerate -- I will stick to it. I am mixing in Innova right now and they are eating it but no handsprings.

[JeanieK]

I bathe one a week and dry with a blow dryer

I'm not good about brushing teethit getsdone once a week also. Now that they tolerate it better I should try to do it more often.

I leave dry food out for mine all the time plus they get a tablespoon of canned in the morning and evening.

[chachi]

I brush mines teeth everyday. I bathe them once a week and deep condition their hair. I free feed the hard food and give them both a half a tin of Lil Caesars in the morning. They also get a teaspon to a tablespoon of cottage cheese everyday

[missbetsy56]

I keep reading about giving them cottage cheese I have never heard of this before why do you give them cottage cheese

[chachi]

Its good for them but I just give it to mine because they love it. It is a treat once a day

[catser2002]

Archie and Willie get a little cottage cheese every morning. That is the only thing I can count on them eating so that is how I can get them to take the Missing Link. They are both very picky eaters --- some days they will gobble their dog food, other days they won't touch it. Doesn't matter the brand, I've tried several.

I TRY to brush their teeth every other day at least. They just want to chew on the brush but I have some success with tooth wipes. I keep trying to use the PetzLife spray, but not sure it helps since the directions say no food or water for 1/2 hour after application. Sometimes I think the spray just makes them hungry and thirsty --- even if I try to get them just before bed time.

A bath once a week to every 10 days, but if they could talk, I'd bet they would say every five minutes --- they hate baths so much! Such torture. Typical boys.

[rachelsyorkie]

I think the cottage cheese like yogurt has probiotics so it keeps there digestive tract healthy. Wormings, antibiotics, etc deplinish it, so its good maintenance for you & your dog. I use yogurt, the strawberry walmart brand, the store brand seems to have less sugar. They do love it. I bath as needed. When they stink or hair looks greasy, etc. Brush hair every day & teeth too, cause if you dont for awhile its heck,lol. You should check out www.petzlife .com, they are some forums about it too. I blow dry it makes the hair look better & keeps body temp up, so they dont get a chill.
Well congrats on your baby!

[RLC12345678]

1. How often should I give him a bath? It really depends on his skin...most people give their yorkies a bath once a week. But both of my yorkies have very dry skin and cannot handle the once a week baths, so they get a bath every other week.

2. Should I brush his teeth? If so, how often? Sorry...I can't help you here. I don't brush my yorkies' teeth even though I should. I DO use PetzLife for Teeth gel. I just put some in their mouth once a day and it does the brushing/cleaning for me.

3. How much should he be eating and drinking? Is there a formula for this? As much as he wants to! I believe in free feeding....leave food and water out at all times for the little guy. A growing yorkie needs all the nourishment s/he can get.

[Ivy Lucille]

Originally Posted by missbetsy56

I keep reading about giving them cottage cheese I have never heard of this before why do you give them cottage cheese

There was discussion on the board quite awile ago about dogs and passing gas. One remedy someone posted (I'm sorry I forget who so I can't give credit where it is due ) was to give cottage cheese a few times during the week. My dogs don't pass gas (at least nothing I can smell) so I attribute it to the CC. Who knows