Water Additive for Dental Care

[Tait & Finn]

Has anyone used or heard of TropiClean Fresh Breath Made Easy. It's a water additive to help loosen the build up on teeth. I'm trying to find a good dental chew and haven't come across one yet that is chicken free and grain free. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Marie Dennen]

I like Tropiclean additive. They also have a gel you can apply. Espree is coming out with a gel too. But I haven't seen it in stores yet, only at a trade show and they weren't selling it yet. I have tried Petkiss additive, I think you can get through Dr.s Foster Smith. It pays to take care of their teeth. Get a toothbrush and dog toothpaste.

[Tait & Finn]

He threw up his whole dinner last night and I don't know if it was the water additive, the small piece of chicken my husband slipped him, all the sticks he eats when outside or just a general night of not feeling well. I've stopped the additive for today. I'll start up again to tomorrow and hope for the best. I have a tooth brush but he just chews it. I can't actually brush his teeth.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's purely anecdotal, but in the Amazon customer reviews of the product, quite a few people said that it had caused vomiting in their pets. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Try Paragon Dental Chews. They are potato based and contain no animal proteins or grains. Plus they come in really cute shapes like hedgehogs and alligators. Dogs usually love them. http://www.whimzees.com/explore-the-chew/

And there are Zuke's Z-Bones. Also potato based, no animal proteins or grains, and the company is top notch: 

http://www.zukes.com/store/dogs/z-bones.html

However, no product, whether a chew or something you put in the water, is going to keep a dog's teeth clean and tartar free on its own. Chewing on bones, antlers, etc. might help. A lot of it is genetic, too, just like with people. Some dogs just have more problems with tartar than others.

Instead of a toothbrush, try using a finger brush: a rubber or plastic finger cot with textured nubs like little bristles. You really only have to worry about the outside surfaces of the teeth, not the inside, according to my vet. Hopefully he won;t chew on your finger. http://www.petco.com/product/109252/Petco-Soft-Finger-Dog-Toothbrus...

I would not be comfortable putting something in my dog's water on a regular basis. Water is just too important.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Peri uses the Paragon chews and they have helped tremendously with tarter. The vet was very happy with her teeth on Saturday at her checkup.  Only one canine had tarter and she was able to scrape it clean on the spot.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree about the water additives. I will try to get a look at the ingredients though. also, whatever they are they would have to very dilute in water so I really doubt they would even do much good. Ok I found them:

Purified Water, Citric Acid, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Chlorophyllin, Glycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Green Tea Leaf Extract 

I still doubt they do much good : )

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I know that according to the Purdue study, one risk factor for bloat in dogs is moistening kibble that contains citric acid. I don't know if using a water additive that contains citric acid would also contribute to the risk of bloat, but I'd want to try to find out before using this.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Well considering you are adding one capful of something that is mostly water to 16 0z. of water it must be very little citric acid. But I hate the idea that if your dog is very thirsty he gets lots of something, if not a little. There are water additives of all kinds out there and to me they make little sense.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Are zukes Z bones ok for puppy teeth?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Sure.

[Julie and Charlie]

My only complaint with them is the green ones make soft green poop....

[F, Calla & Luca]

I don't have time to really research this just now but I like a company to put it's ingredients right out there and this one does not have ingredients under it's products on it's own website aside from saying that they are natural : (