Sep
2012
Fresh and Clean Breath, It’s What Every Dog Wants
According to the AVMA, dental disease is the most common diagnosed health problem in dogs and cats. Dental disease, just like in humans, can lead to painful infections and in severe cases can lead to life threatening illness in dogs and cats.
While regular dental checkups are essential to help maintain your pet’s dental health, there are a number of signs that dental disease has already started in your pet’s mouth:
- Bad breath—Most pets have breath that is less than fresh, but if it becomes truly repugnant, that’s a sign that periodontal disease has already started.
- Frequent pawing or rubbing at the face and mouth.
- Reluctance to eat hard foods.Red swollen gums and brownish teeth.
If you notice any of the signs above you should contact your veterinarian for a dental check up.
Brushing your dogs teeth between dental check up is a great way to maintain their dental health. In a perfect world I would brush my dogs teeth everyday, but let’s face it, I am lucky to get it done 3 times a week. In between brushing and dental check ups I rely on dental chew products to help us out, which was why I was so exited to receive this bag of fun from Pedigree filled with tons of dental products for dogs and a few fun things for me.
A variety of Dentastixs from Pedigree, coupons, a toothbrush and toothpaste, equals lots of fun for me and for the dogs!!
Below I am trying out our new toothbrush on Leroy, which I loved!
Do you see how long the brush is? The long length made it super easy for me to brush his huge teeth and not get slobber all over my hands. Major bonus!
Sherman was more interested in eating the toothpaste rather than letting it make actual contact with his teeth.
Open Wide Sherman!
And both the boys enjoyed the large Dentastix that we were sent. I prefer to use a type of dental recommended pet treat product over rawhides because I have seen many intestinal blockages caused by these “innocent” rawhides and it gives me the chance to offer the dogs a different kind of treat throughout the week.
I personally enjoyed the Dogs Rule tote bag and my husband has taken over the Dogs Rule coffee mug.
Would you like a chance to win your very own gift pack of dental fun for you and your dog?
This “Stay Fresh and Clean” gift pack includes:
- Dentastix Fresh Samples
- Two (2) packs Dentastix Coupons (Dentastix or Dentastix Fresh)
- NEW “Dogs rule” Gear
- Doggie Toothbrush and Toothpaste (brand to provide)
- Oral care tips for your four-legged friend
Just follow the rafflecopter below to enter.
*Must be at least 18 years old to enter and live in the U.S.
**Disclosure-I received a “Stay Fresh and Clean” gift pack from Pedigree in return for my honest review of these products. All opinions expressed here are mine and mine only.
bichonpawz
September 6, 2012 at 2:33 am (287 days ago)My girlz love the Dental Stix! They don’t do so well when I “try” to brush their teeth. If I had it to do over again…I would have kept at it. Chloe decided when she was about six months old that she didn’t want anything to do with the toothbrush and toothpaste…though she does chew rawhide…as long as I watch her!
Colby
September 6, 2012 at 3:10 am (287 days ago)My goal is to brush my pups teeth at least 3 times a week, but I agree I should be doing it at least once a day. After all we brush our own teeth twice a day. Looks like a nice gift pack…good luck to all of the entrants!
emma
September 6, 2012 at 7:07 am (287 days ago)I did a post on brushing teeth a while back. We get ours brushed every night before bed and just love it – mom starts the day we start living with her and we use her old toothbrushes. Our vet says that we have great teeth so there is the proof!
Sam
September 6, 2012 at 7:16 am (287 days ago)I think I have more luck with the finger brushes – it could be our golden’s have smaller mouths?
Sam
Lisa
September 6, 2012 at 8:18 am (287 days ago)Great way to clean up and get rid of the smell of some of the nasty things mine eat outside. :-/
2 brown dawgs
September 6, 2012 at 8:30 am (287 days ago)That longer tooth brush is a great idea. I don’t think I have seen one with a long handle like that.
Jodi
September 6, 2012 at 8:46 am (287 days ago)I don’t brush the dog’s teeth.
I do have one of those little finger brushes, but when do I have time? LOL
Finn
September 6, 2012 at 9:47 am (287 days ago)I can get in to do the teeth once a week!
Eva or sometimes Priscilla
September 6, 2012 at 9:54 am (287 days ago)I usually wrap my fingers with gauze and apply the toothpaste onto the wrapped fingers. I find it’s easier to clean their teeth : )
Jackie
September 6, 2012 at 1:32 pm (286 days ago)That’s a good idea!
Jackie
September 6, 2012 at 1:34 pm (286 days ago)I’m bad about brushing Rita’s teeth. She’s not crazy about it, which is part of the problem. Like Sherman, she just wants to eat the toothpaste. I like the gauze idea above.
I read that antlers/beef bones are the best way for getting tartar off a dog’s teeth – and I have to admit the antler I got for Rita did an amazing job on her teeth and they look super nice and white now, but the antler had some big pieces splinter off, so I’m afraid to give her one again.
Nichole
September 6, 2012 at 2:24 pm (286 days ago)What a great post and a great giveaway! Tut had a tooth extracted earlier this year and it was a big stresser for me, since his brother had the same procedure 2 years ago and ended up passing as a result soon after. Dental disease is something we all have to pay attention to with our dogs!
sprinkles
September 6, 2012 at 2:35 pm (286 days ago)I’m embarrassed to admit that I don’t brush my dogs teeth. I know that I should. I’m pretty sure Shiver would bite me. I know that Chico could really use it though.
Amy @ LifewithDoxies
September 6, 2012 at 4:28 pm (286 days ago)I am terrible at brushing the boys’ teeth. I like to pretend that I don’t need to brush their teeth because I feed raw, but I know that I do need to. Good reminder!
Blueberry's human
September 6, 2012 at 5:25 pm (286 days ago)I brush Blueberry’s teeth just about every day. She had a dental a couple months ago so I want to keep her teeth as healthy as possible.
I can’t imagine the drool factor in brushing the boys’ teeth. Gosh, when I used to brush my golden retriever mix’s teeth he would drool soooo much and it would get so slimy I would nearly barf every single time. I shudder just thinking about it. You have my admiration for not letting that stand in the way of brushing their teeth!
houndstooth
September 6, 2012 at 6:11 pm (286 days ago)Boy do we know about tooth issues here at our house! With Greyhounds, you learn about teeth cleanings pretty early on. One of the few faults of the breed! Anyway, that looks like one fantastic package and we’d love to win!
Misty Shores Chesapeakes
September 6, 2012 at 7:40 pm (286 days ago)I am bad but I do give them the dental stix to chew and lots of fresh bones
Two French Bulldogs
September 6, 2012 at 8:28 pm (286 days ago)the things we go through!
Snuggles,
Benny & Lily
Dachshund Nola and her Mom
September 6, 2012 at 9:36 pm (286 days ago)Because of her allergies, I can’t give Nola dentastix. But, she does get bones and her teeth are brushed every night. When we went to the vet he told us that, if judging by her teeth and if I didn’t know her bday, he’d place her age at a year old! She’s almost 2
Nola’s Mom
Julie
September 6, 2012 at 11:38 pm (286 days ago)Cali used to get some dental chews that I bought from the vet (until she started swallowing them whole!) – she has never let us brush her teeth . .she relies on chewing sticks (shhhhh, don’t tell our vet!)
Amy@GoPetFriendly
September 7, 2012 at 10:50 am (286 days ago)What an excellent giveaway! I’ve never been able to get Ty and Buster to let me brush their teeth, but that toothbrush looks pretty cool. I’d definitely give it another shot if I won.
Lennyg
September 10, 2012 at 12:38 pm (283 days ago)No enough times – maybe a few times a week.
Amy / Layla the Malamute
September 11, 2012 at 11:05 pm (281 days ago)Not as often as I should
Maybe once a week. If I get the cool new extra-long toothbrush I think I’ll have to do it more often!
Valine Stapleton
September 11, 2012 at 11:25 pm (281 days ago)I’m bad about brushing limbers teeth. She tries to eat the brush and all. She a big goofy black Newfie. She does like the mint dental sticks. Well honestly, she likes anything she can eat, that don’t eat her first.