Dental Health Awareness Month
If your dog can use a dental cleaning, this is the month to make an appointment. Many veterinarians in my area offer discounts on teeth cleanings during the month of February.
Call and make an appointment today!
MYTH: Raw Fed Dogs Don't Need Teeth Cleanings
A friend of mine feeds kibble and her dogs' teeth
are gorgeous and clean. Meanwhile, my raw fed dog is going in for a cleaning next week.
Raw feeding doesn't prevent plaque build up in all
dogs. Apollo's teeth are gorgeous. Rodrigo's teeth are stained, but still clean. Zoey's back canines can use a cleaning.
I considered handling
her teeth on my own, but her gums are inflamed, which can be a sign of infection, so I want to get it taken care of now, not later.
What I Did Wrong...
I cut back on recreational and raw meaty bones last year. Caring for a dog with cancer,
even when that dog is healthy, is a full time job. I spent most days monitoring Scout, reviewing his diet and supplements, and researching other steps I could take to keep him in remission.
The experience threw me off my raw feeding schedule. During the summer, my dogs enjoy raw meaty bones/recreational bones at least once a week.
We're going to return to our routine once Zoey bounces back from her teeth cleaning.
What I Do Right...
There are five things I do to keep my dogs teeth clean (or cleaner longer).
1 - Feed a Fresh Food Diet - feeding a diet low in carbs/starch slows plaque build up on the teeth.
2 - Add Pre and Probiotics to the Food - pre and probiotics not only support a healthy gut, they also restore healthy oral bacteria and promoting healthy teeth
and gums.
3. Feed the Right Raw Bones - every dog is different and it took time and patience to learn which bones are the right fit for my dogs. I now add duck feet, duck necks, lamb necks, rabbit, and whole quail to my dogs' diet.
Bones scrape about tartar and plaque, they satisfy a dog's chew drive, and give them an engaging activity.
And when raw bones aren't available, I feed chews from Real Dog Box. Beef backstrap, beef trachea, and beef ears are great for my adult dogs. The guinea fowl necks are perfect for our puppy.
4 - Brush the Teeth with Coconut Oil - as Rodrigo gets older, I find myself learning new ways to support him. I've begun using a finger brush and coconut to brush his teeth and gums.
5 - Mad About Organics Oral Dental Spray - this has been a miracle for us. I spray Rodrigo and Zoey's teeth twice daily; I spray Apollo and Bella's teeth once daily. It's a quick chore that makes a huge difference.
When I learned that Zoey needed a teeth cleaning, I stepped up on the spray to break down as much plaque as possible. I knew I wouldn't have enough time to clear away all the plaque, but I could make the cleaning quicker and easier. And she'll be under for
less time and recovery will be faster.
I've already cleared up one tooth and the other tooth is getting there. It takes a couple of months to
see a benefit. The natural ingredients soften the plaque and feeding raw bones or chews takes care of the rest.
