I Can't Believe I'm Asking This...

[Camilla and Darwin]

But how bad is it to give Darwin dental chews, prescribed by the vet? I realize any question that involves vet and prescribed food is answered the same way. But this could possibly be different.

 

See, he has really bad tartar and they've been warning us that he will need a dental cleaning soon. I have looked at his mouth myself and he has tartar all over his back molars, and breath that could kill. I would like to avoid a cleaning for as long as possible, if we can.

 

I do have a toothpaste and toothbrush, but when I use it I feel like the toothpaste isn't coating enough of the teeth. Either way it hasn't been helping enough. We give him raw carrots but really this makes no difference either. Well, Darwin is a hefty chewer and the vet tech thought these chews might be a good option, as they are soaked in the same enzyme as the toothpaste. I looked at the ingredients and they don't seem great, but I have only learned to analyze dog food and treats thus far. In addition, the ingredients to dog toothpaste never seem that great, but it's still used.

 

Thoughts? Is it a good idea? Bad idea? 

 

T/CL Dental Chews by "GlenHaven"

 

Beefhide, *Dextrose, poultry digest, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, primary dried yeast, potassium sorbate, glucose oxidase (aspergillus niger), dried whey protein concentrate

* a substance necessary for the antiseptic enzyme system.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I don't know exactly what this means but I think you guys will. LOL. It seems to be the process in which this works?

 

http://www.google.com/patents/about/5310541_Antimicrobial_rawhide_a...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Legalese, for patent purposes. I haven't a clue, except that it's rawhide with an antimicrobial coating.

And I wish I had a mind that could come up with this kind of idea, lol.

[F, Calla & Luca]

But the dogs don't have much of a problem from the bacteria on chews do they?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

No, I think this is the patent for the dental chews.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Oh, I thought this was for a clean chew. Like using wipes on counters and all that sort of thing nowadays.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL

[NewfoundlandNic]

Hi Camilla, I feel your pain re. poor puppy teeth. Our last dog loved chewing but still had to have her teeth cleaned twice for over $1000 each. Yikes. I am encouraging Georgia to chew bully sticks thus far, but Parker's absolute favourite were knee caps. I am not sure how the group feels about them. In any case, they didn't do her much good. I would venture to guess dogs are like people and that the make up of their saliva varies from dog to dog. This is what has an enormous impact on build-up and decay. It explains why I have a mouth full of fillings despite being a zealous brusher and flosser and my husband has two - not nearly as conscientious as me. Oh well.

 

And I just have to say I LOVE the people on this site! Karen, F. Parker and everyone else who shares their knowledge so freely. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Oh, thanks but Karen does all the heavy pulling here. I think that the size of a dog matters a lot too. Dogs with small mouths have more dental issues.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It really is somewhat the luck of the genetic draw. I got my first and only cavity at the age of 27. My sister has a mouthful of fillings, and always did, even when she still had baby teeth. We ate basically the same foods at the same times, (although she does have a much bigger sweet tooth than I do), used the same toothpaste, had the same brushing habits and frequency, and saw the same dentist until we were in college. Go figure.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I agree! There are so many knowledgeable and helpful members here, it's wonderful!

[Kim]

I forgot to add yesterday that we have been paying so much attention to Allie's teeth lately that now I look at the teeth of other dogs I see (obsessed?) and we visited my out of town 7 year old Iams fed doggie niece (chocolate lab) last weekend, and her teeth are immaculate!  I didn't see any staining at all on any of her teeth!!!  My Sister told me she never chews on anything.  I was looking at her teeth and I asked my sister if she ever brushes them, or has them professionally cleaned and she said no!  She said the vet always mentions how nice her teeth are!  So I'm sure that vet is recommending Iams now... lol.

[Lindsey]

My inlaws have those chews for their large beagle/lab mutt. Their vet suggested them, so they decided to try them. I was over at their house with Molly and my little dog, Ali, they asked if they could give Molly one and I freaked. LOL. I didn't know what they were and couldn't read the ingredients...so I said "NO! I dont' know what those things are!!"
I'm such a treat/food snob now, thanks to this group ;-)
Anyhow, they seem to think they are really helping their dogs teeth.

I just had our little guys teeth cleaned, a little over 2 weeks ago. It cost us $200, that was for the cleaning, 4 teeth removed and the meds. I think that was a good price! but still...I wouldn't want to have it done often, for 2 dogs!