What’s Better for Your Dog: Brushing Teeth, Bones From Raw Meat, Or Deer Antlers?

by

Ron Ayalon

Dogs need dental care too! Failure to care for Caesar s teeth can cause plenty of problems for him not the least of which is bad breath, bleeding gums and tartar buildup. In the worst case scenario dogs much like humans will experience an excess growth of bacteria that affects the internal organs. There are several methods of cleaning Caesar s teeth that can prevent dental disease and promote a long and healthy life.

Most commercial dog foods claim that their formula is great for cleaning teeth. But there is only one problem. Dogs rarely chew their food; most wolf it down and so they aren t getting whatever benefit food manufacturers promise exists. And so it will be necessary to clean Caesar s teeth by yourself.

The first time you take Caesar to the vet, one of the first things the vet will examine will be his teeth. Dental cleanings done by a vet are expensive and require Caesar to be anesthetized. Why not save yourself the trouble and just clean his teeth yourself?

Brushing

As soon as possible (preferably when he is a puppy), take Caesar into the vet and get some advice on how to brush his teeth. You will need to make teeth brushing a daily practice so it is best to get him used to it early. The beset time to brush his teeth is right after he is exhausted from exercising in the yard. He is more likely to let you stick your finger in his mouth when he is tuckered out.

Your vet or pet store will be able to recommend the best toothbrush to use. The easiest one is probably a finger brush. Choose a toothpaste with a flavor that you know Caesar will love chicken or beef flavored are safe bets. It s a good idea to ask your vet what brand is most popular with dogs. The C.E.T. Enzymatic toothpaste is my favorite. Don t share your toothpaste with Caesar or he may never trust you near his mouth again!

Let Caesar enjoy the taste of the toothpaste first by allowing him to lick if off of the brush. Lift up his lip and rub the brush on the visible teeth gently. Give him a treat. Repeat the process and gradually increase the duration of the brushing.

Raw Meat Bones

Bones are a popular method of oral care for dogs because they satisfy Caesar s insatiable need to chew things. Chewing raw meat bones strengthens their gums, clean the teeth and aids digestion. Not only that Caesar is a carnivore, so chewing a raw meat bone is instinctual for him. Larger bones are best if you go with this option.

There is huge debate about whether raw meat and bones are healthy for dogs. If you consider that until the first bag of dog food was manufactured some 60 years ago, all dogs ate was either raw meat or table scraps. If you are going to give Caesar bones, just make sure they are NOT cooked. They can splinter in his stomach. Raw bones are 100% safe, as is feeding Caesar raw meat.

Deer Antlers

Deer antlers are a third option for maintaining your dog s oral health. Antlers are made of cartilage that develops into bone and are composes of water, calcium and phosphorous. They fall off the deer in the winter and are best given to Caesar fresh.

Older antlers might become brittle and less appealing to him.

Deer antlers are extremely safe and because they contain bone marrow, they naturally clean Caesar s teeth. Supervise your dog while he is chewing. If the antler wears down to the point where he could swallow it, take it away and replace it.

It Comes Down to Personal Choice

Not all dogs are keen on having a toothbrush in their mouths and certainly not for an extended period of time. Ignoring Caesar s dental hygiene is not an option. If you do find that you have trouble brushing his teeth, both raw bones and antlers are safe and work wonders.

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What’s Better for Your Dog: Brushing Teeth, Bones From Raw Meat, Or Deer Antlers?