What works best on teeth?? Kinda long

[2Paws]

Suse, raw bones are safe for our dogs. They don't splinter and the dog's digestive system can digest the smaller pieces without problems. Cooked bones of any kind can splinter and cause internal bleeding. You never want to give your dog cooked bones of any kind.

 

[Kent]

Hey everybody, Same results with Thunder. Went out and bought a package of wings today, he just licked them for a bit. So I mixed them in with some kibble and he ate around them. Don't know if this will ever work for Thunder.
Are you supposed to give them the wings or necks frozen, or is thawed out good enough? And how long would you let the wings sit in his dish if he doesn't eat them right away?
If this keeps up I'll have to resort to some of those commercially made teeth cleaners.
Thanks once again everybody.

 

[Emma & Nigel's Mom]

This has been very informative! Emma has some tartar, and I got the toothbrush and doggie paste(sorry Ina, just trying to help Emma), and she likes it but almost too much, it's difficult to get the teeth when the tongue is going for the brush at warp speed. I never knew you could feed a dog raw chicken bones.

So does the dog ingest the bones then? For chicken wings, I mean.

 

[Elly May]

I'd hold off on food for a day or so. A dog that won't eat bones probably isn't hungry!
Today I was in PetSmart and noticed all the teeth cleaning implements and pastes - we've never needed them. My girls get a raw beef knuckle bone at least twice a week, 15 mins. on a fresh, new bone, gradually increasing to 40 minutes as they work off any rich meat/fat. Never have a problem with stinky breath. If I do, that tells me I've slacked off and I'll go dig the bones out of the freezer. It works their jaw muscles and is just as good for them as walking/swimming exercises. Perfectly natural...

 

[charityd]

I got the toothbrush and doggie paste(sorry Ina, just trying to help Emma), and she likes it but almost too much, it's difficult to get the teeth when the tongue is going for the brush at warp speed.

Try putting a little bit of natural peanut butter (the kind that is peanuts only - no sugar) on the roof of her mouth before you brush her teeth. She will be busy licking that off while you get her teeth clean. :tongue:

 

[Chillinewf]

So far for me its a tooth brush, carrots & apples along with the occasional tooth cleaning treat chew thing. But he does love his fresh fruit, especially the crunchy stuff.

 

[2Paws]

Kent, try using a mallet to crush those chicken necks alittle before you give it to him. And I would give it to him at a mealtime without the kibble. He will choose the kibble over the "new" thing that you are trying to introduce him to.

The raw chicken wings, necks or knuckle bones should be thawed. You risk your dog breaking a tooth if you give it to them frozen. I've been told that partially thawed is OK but I don't feel comfortable doing that.

Philippa, when a dog is given a raw chicken wing, or chicken or turkey neck, they will usually eat the whole thing, bones and all. They can literally crush those bones with their teeth which is why it is so good for keeping their teeth clean.

 

[Emma & Nigel's Mom]

Thank you! I'm just not used to letting her have bones, I feel like I'd be freaking out. How often is it recommended to give them the "raw tooth cleaner"? and are we talking about the chicken wings that you get prepackaged at your local meat dept.?

 

[ina/puusty]

Periodically I buy a bag of turkey necks here, at the local meat market..where they are 3rd gen. owners..and their farms..are only about 12 miles from downtown . Fresh..safe product..and we support them..esp. in todays economy. But..I digress! I buy the bags frozen..and break apart the half thawed bag..on a day when have time..storing in left over bread wrappers..for individ. portions. I do not give unless totally thawed. The beef rib bones..are never frozen..just kept in fridge..fed over a few day period. As others have already said..the fresh breath is the indicator that all is well..and a periodic 'lifting/peering'..into the commodious mouth, toothies on parade, fluffy-flews and speckeled gums..shows no tarter build up. Age 7 years and almost 9 months..never anything but what the natural canine would use. Works for us, ina n HB ps. Breath mints for poochies..still groaning..over that one.. Actually..since humans use deopdorant sticks..just think..the ..'next big thing'..will be tiny crm. sticks to apply to Ms. Poochie-doras ..pawpits..? Hey..thats how all this other stuff..made it to..'market'. Show the humans..a transfer to dogs..of a human-used item..and there go the sales..through the roof.

 

[Kent]

Thanks guys! I will try crushing them and giving them a try. Hopefully it works. I've noticed lately that Thunders breath has been less then pleasant. Hope this fixes that also.
Great responses everyone! I knew you would come through for us! :groovy:

 

[lola]

The only problem you may forsee with chicken wings which i've had is if your Newf is a gulper. Mine takes the wing, tosses his head back and swallows. Crushed, beaten, whichever way I do it, he swallows it whole.. But he really does love it, so i still give him one or two on occasion.

 

[Tug]

Tug LOVES frozen raw Bison/Buffalo knuckles!
I get him the big ones and it takes him a few hours to get though the meat to the bone.
Then he has the gristle and Cartilage to get through and their too big to break his teeth on.

 

[suse]

This has been very informative. I'm going to try giving Seamus some raw bones. I think he will LOVE them. His teeth are so nice and white. I'd like to keep them that way.