February is dental health month. Today is the day I confess, I have been neglectful in my pet's dental health. When we first moved to this house, I was great. We were brushing teeth at least 3 times a week (as recommended by my vet). But then it stopped being a habit. The toothpaste expired and I didn't buy new stuff. Life happened and for far too long, brushing hasn't happened.Now, that being said, we aren't totally neglectful. The pups get dental treats daily. We have antlers to chew on. It is just the formal brushing that is not getting done.
The neglect has been reinforced by my history with pets and dental issues. Bagheera lived to be 19.5 without ever brushing his teeth and without any problems. Loki had a heck of a lot of problems, but no dental ones (other than his crazy teeth). Nin did need some dental work, but at 15. Gemi also had dental work done at age 6. So far, Hailey and Zaphod have not really had problems.
I am hoping that today's blog hop will inspire me to go out and get new toothbrushes and start brushing away!
I have never brushed any of my dogs teeth and they have all lived long lives 16+ years and have never had any teeth problems and kept all their teeth. We have always given better of bones and they have always done the best job
ReplyDeletewe do it two times per week, it's always a great drama here :o) Easy gets a lot of chewing bones and dental sticks and maybe even to chew on our shoes helps to clean his chompers :o)
ReplyDeleteeasy rider
Hari Om
ReplyDeleteI am inclined to think this is one human treatment too far for pets - particularly dogs; if they are getting plenty appropriate dental chews (or natural bones as their history demands) then overall their oral health will be fine. Though as the Mayorz have demonstrated, it can be a fun bonding time also!!! Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx
No tooth brushes here just dental chews and crunchy suppers to keep my washers clean. Have a terrific Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
She whips our brush out weekly. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteSnorts,
Lily & Edward
YAY! Do it! Mom and dad can't forget cuz we remind them!
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
Now we gotta tell you this.... seriously.... brushing is GRRREAT... BUTT.... if you get dental Chews and antlers and hooves and Bones to gnaw on... that is JUST FINE... they do a good NATURAL job with teefs... as long as you are getting somethingy done... THAT is ALL that Matters... Even gnawing on a Stick is good fur teefs... so we say.... BRAVO fur YOU.... you do it YOUR way and your way WORKS.
ReplyDeleteI hate having my teeth brushed so mom gives me a lot of different dental chews.
ReplyDeleteAroo to you,
Sully
Yep...no brushing here....but lots of dental chews and on our vet visits THEY clean them!
ReplyDeleteThe Mad Scots
Dear Ojo's Cousin Lee,
ReplyDeleteIt's a toothbrush. You should not chew on it. The people do funny stuff in your mouth, but then hopefully you get a treat after! (We get either yogurt or freeze-dried sardines - yummy!)
Ojo has terrible brown stuff on her teeth. She was Stray, and she came to us like this. Our person brushes and brushes and brushes, trying to keep it from spreading. Plus the people say we have stinky breath and they use this as an excuse for brushing too.
But really, I love my dog breath! Don't you??
Licks,
Cobi
It's so easy to fall out of the habit! I've fallen off the teeth brushing wagon a few times, too! We try to do it every day but sometimes life happens!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, I should definitely be brushing more often than I do, but I use dental treats as well.
ReplyDeleteღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
We are all about dental treats and chews with occasional brushings!
ReplyDeleteSmileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
Crikey ...... thank goodness someone else is like my Mum. She's going to give it a try but like you she'll forget after a while. I get lots of bones and stuff and Frankie and Ernie said chewing on sticks was good. I LOVE chewing on sticks. All of my angel brothers and sisters lived long lives with no teeth problems. Hopefully I will too.
ReplyDeleteOh, we are the same! Lots of tendons and chews and stuffs, butts since my toothers are FABulous (says the vettie), she isn't gonna go there unless she has to! She did buy all the stuffs, butt hasn't tried it yet...☺
ReplyDeleteDental chews are more fun!
Kisses,
Ruby ♥
We don't get our teefs brushed either but we do get lots of dental chews and antlers to help keep our teefs clean.
ReplyDelete