So, this is one of those dumb question things...but I've decided to add Willow to the line-up for weekly too brushing day. She has her own brush now and everything and we've done some marker training as far as letting me handle her mouth and play with her teeth...that part has been easy, she's 100% okay with that, she actually let me scale her teeth a bit (I stay plenty away from the gums), we're doing one tooth a night right now until they're all done, and then the brushing to maintain the clean ones.

However she really REALLY doesn't like the toothpaste, and I really don't think that it's the brushing or sensation on her teeth itself, it's the flavors. She's a good girl and the training is holding up but I would like this to be a nice quick relaxing fun thing like it is with my boys who look forward to the "special treat" of their toothpaste and I know that putting something that she can't stand in her mouth is going to get her sour to the idea pretty quickly.

So far I've been picking up the free samplers (thank you vet XD) in the primary mainstream brands, nylabone, PetDental (Four Paws), Arm and Hammar, and Sentry. Each brand has it's own line up of flavors that fall into the basic beef, chicken, peanut butter, and vanilla catagory. Despite being different brands they are all quite similar in smell and texture (and I'm assuming taste), the one exception is the PetDental vanilla which is Ryuk's that he will do backflips for but she can't stand either. I'm looking for something different to try out texture/flavor wise. I'm wondering if you guys can help me shorten my search a bit...maybe give me some brands you like to start!

Thanks tons!

I brush every day, I don't use a toothpaste, mine didn't like it either, I just use a wet toothbrush, seems to get the same results.

When I buy toothpaste for the dog, I look for the Made in USA and not in China, what seems to be the case often nowadays, even with human toothpaste. I use enzymatic toothpaste, and that has to be applied every two or three days. Because it breaks down the tartar in a biochemical reaction, it is not so important how it gets onto the tooth (toothbrush, or even a finger). My Yorkie doesn't like the toothbrush, but she lets me touch her teeth with my fingers. My shepherd cleans his teeth on his own, when he chews on a large cow leg (the bone), that works as good as scaling...

My gang likes (tolerates) Petzlife brand gel. Comes in a salmon flavor. It's one of the ones that claims you don't have to use with a toothbrush; just smear it on. But I use a brush anyway because I'm old school.

http://www.petzlife.com/catalog/oral-care-products/oral-care-gel-w-wild-salmon-oil.html

also comes in a big bottle for a better price. Available at lots of web vendors, including Amazon. Haven't seen it on the shelves in PetCo/PetSmart.

Edited by Tracy Collins (09/05/2013 08:49 AM)
Edit reason: added link

I use the little soft thimble-type brush with one dog ... goes over the finger and has little rubbery bumps to be the "brush." For the dog who doesn't like the toothbrush, it works well.


Jamie, oddly, my dogs seem to prefer the shrimp or salmon flavor toothpastes. I forget the shrimp brand name, but right now I have the salmon one Tracy mentioned.

Never had a dog yet who objects to the taste or feel of Virbac ,C.E.T. poultry flavor.

Toothpaste is not necessary. The mechanical action of the bristles is all that is required to break up the bacterial colonies, which is all you are trying to achieve. Concentrate your efforts along the neck of the tooth right at the gum line.

(I am a trained dental professional)

Christy, since we have your awesome expertise at our disposal, do dogs benefit from fluoride the same way we do? My local tap water has fluoride, but many on this forum use well-water.

 Quote: christy mascari

Toothpaste is not necessary. The mechanical action of the bristles is all that is required to break up the bacterial colonies, which is all you are trying to achieve. Concentrate your efforts along the neck of the tooth right at the gum line.

(I am a trained dental professional)

Then an electric toothbrush should give the best results?

I found that Tanner objected the least to a piece of wet gauze wrapped around my finger. He had gum overgrowth so I was just looking for stimulation but he doesn't mind it if I sneak a little toothpaste in there as well.