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Teeth cleaning

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • I use a "human" battery powered toothbrush… no one minded it at all....

  • @nodakerdeb:

    Pat, I've tried just about every product on the market and nothing has even come close to working like this stuff. We have a natural pet food/supply store in Fargo and they no longer carry any dental products other than PetzLife. They said once the word got around about this product that was all they sold while the other products sat on the shelf. I have to thank Linda Seikert of Sinbaje Basenjis for alerting me to this fine product.

    [edit] I should also say that I use the 'Triple-headed' toothbrush also. The best invention ever!

    There was a local pet store nearby that carried PetzLife products. The employee there mentioned that he hears nothing but good things about this stuff and that they were completely out of the spray. $25-30 may seem like a lot for such a small amount of product but it's cheap insurance to keep your dogs teeth healthy.

  • I have been using Petzlife too and it really does work. My dogs like it better than tooth brushing.

  • @Kananga:

    There was a local pet store nearby that carried PetzLife products. The employee there mentioned that he hears nothing but good things about this stuff and that they were completely out of the spray. $25-30 may seem like a lot for such a small amount of product but it's cheap insurance to keep your dogs teeth healthy.

    $25 - $30 seems like pennies to me when you compare it to the cost of a full dental under anesthesia. :) I can't ever anticipate having to another dental on our Rat Terrier again, nor any dog we would get in the future. There is simply no tarter build up with this product when used daily, or even a couple of times a week.

    Jack likes the taste too. At first he wasn't nuts about it, but it didn't take long for him to acquire it. He does not like the 'spray' in his mouth though. He's always been skiddish about a spray sound. If I had a pup I'd start in with the spray from the get go so they got used to the sound.

  • I just went to order my Petzlife product (thanks for the heads up Deb!) since there wasn't a retailer close to me. Oddly, it's cheaper through Amazon than from the company's website. :confused: Still, a bit pricey, but WAAAY cheaper (in terms of money and worry) than a full dental at the vet's.

  • @nodakerdeb:

    $25 - $30 seems like pennies to me when you compare it to the cost of a full dental under anesthesia. :) I can't ever anticipate having to another dental on our Rat Terrier again, nor any dog we would get in the future. There is simply no tarter build up with this product when used daily, or even a couple of times a week.

    Jack likes the taste too. At first he wasn't nuts about it, but it didn't take long for him to acquire it. He does not like the 'spray' in his mouth though. He's always been skiddish about a spray sound. If I had a pup I'd start in with the spray from the get go so they got used to the sound.

    Simple brushing has actually broken down some of the tarter on my B's teeth. He's only 10 months old, but I've been brushing 3-5 times per week (which we all know is more than your average dog owner…. never). I figured the PetzLife gel will help break down the rest and keep his teeth/gums healthy. But yes, such a small amount compared to having him put under for cleaning. My vet wanted it done soon but I said i'd wait and see if the tarter build up got worse. It has gotten better. :D

  • That is really young to have tartar build up? 10 months?

  • @tanza:

    That is really young to have tartar build up? 10 months?

    Pat, I was thinking the same thing. I'm wondering if there is more going on there ??

    Good on the owner for being diligient about brushing though! :)

  • @tanza:

    That is really young to have tartar build up? 10 months?

    Very minimal. It's just about gone now so perhaps the previous owner (breeder) did not allow him to chew on bones all too often. I've only had him for a little over 2 months. His teeth are actually in great shape regardless of that minor spot or two on his back teeth.

  • That is good to hear… I would be concerned if there was lots of build up at that age... However, that said, there are some lines that just have horrible teeth, my OJ was one.. for his entire life.... His first dental he lost 5 teeth.... And others that are related to him have always had teeth problems too...

    I just got my order of Petzlife... Kristii was not impressed....gggg

  • i have read that, in addition to genetics, vaccination schedule (either for the pups or for mom carrying pups) can have an impact on the enammel on the teeth. which i think might impact the tartar build up.

  • I find that brushing his teeth 3-4 times per week (minimum) is enough to prevent build-up. I take dental hygiene a lot more seriously than others but mostly because I know how it can impact their health. It also can impact our sense of smell…. :)

  • @Kananga:

    I find that brushing his teeth 3-4 times per week (minimum) is enough to prevent build-up. I take dental hygiene a lot more seriously than others but mostly because I know how it can impact their health. It also can impact our sense of smell…. :)

    I'm like you Kananga– very serious about dental care because it is so much more than just the teeth that are affected. I had visions of you having to scrape tons of tarter off -- a few spots is to be expected.;)

    I'm not surprised that Nickii was not impressed with the Petzlife Pat. It's way different than the chicken flavored beige paste... LOL!

    deb

  • Exactly… Deb...

  • @tanza:

    That is good to hear… I would be concerned if there was lots of build up at that age... However, that said, there are some lines that just have horrible teeth, my OJ was one.. for his entire life.... His first dental he lost 5 teeth.... And others that are related to him have always had teeth problems too...

    I just got my order of Petzlife... Kristii was not impressed....gggg

    Pat, how is it working? Have you seen anything? I'm tempted to try some. I think it's about $14 or thereabouts through Revival and I have to order vaccines anyway.

  • My breeder told me that giving them frozen bones to gnaw on really helps keep their teeth clean (the big thick soup bones or marrow bones). I've talked to some whippet people and they all give their dogs turkey necks once or twice a week to help with the teeth cleaning.

  • @nomrbddgs:

    Pat, how is it working? Have you seen anything? I'm tempted to try some. I think it's about $14 or thereabouts through Revival and I have to order vaccines anyway.

    It only been 3 days…ggg... I will let you know if I see any difference in 2 wks... of course I am using it on a 14yr old

  • Tanza, I too am interested. Tyler has always had a problem with tartar build up, even when we brush regularly. He's 11 now and has already had 2 teeth extracted. I'm desperate to find something that works. Please keep us posted.

  • Will let you know…. sometimes it doesn't matter how well you try and take care of the teeth... my OJ was one... he had horrible teeth as did many of his siblings, cousins, aunts/uncles.... nephews....etc....

  • @wizard:

    My breeder told me that giving them frozen bones to gnaw on really helps keep their teeth clean (the big thick soup bones or marrow bones). I've talked to some whippet people and they all give their dogs turkey necks once or twice a week to help with the teeth cleaning.

    That would be raw turkey or chicken necks, wings work well too.. as do marrow beef bones (raw)… I have the butcher cut them in half...

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