could someone tell me the best remedy for tartar on a 16 month old bitch other than vets and going under anasetic

Hi Carol, if you feed your dog a raw diet with lots of meaty bones I can guarantee their teeth will be sparkling white & the tartar will disappear.
Christine2

thanks i feed her raw tripe/beefshe has bones now and again,how often would you recomend? the tartar is on her back

wow Carol - that's a strange place for tartar

Sara
sorry - just couldn't resist :D

We were told not to feed Max with raw bones by our vet as it can lead to Perforated Bowel and Intestinal Problems.

Mmm Banger, my vet told me lots of stuff, doesn`t mean to say they are always right tho does it?
Christine2

Carol, you can get a dental scraper and remove the tartar yourself. You can get the scrapers at most Ch shows, or somone might be able to tell you of an on-line supplier. They come in all shapes and sizes but the one I find most useful has flat ends with a slight inward curve and a taper on the 'blades'. It might take your dog a little time to get used to the process, but start slowly and once the teeth are clean, remove the tartar as soon as it appears so that it doesn't get a chance to build up again.

Agree with Christine - feed raw! - it has done wonders for my lot's teeth

Christine

hi feed raw?as in what way? i feed raw tripe as i.ve mentioned

Carol - if you go to search at the top right of the screen and type in BARF you'll see what they mean by talking about "raw"

<the tartar is on her back >

That's an unusual place to get tartar!

I feed chicken carcass'/wings etc 7 or 8 times a week plus breast of lamb with ones, tripe, veg etc.

I have one 5 year old that even as a pup had very mucky teeth and since I changed to raw they do look clean - much easier and more effective than keep scraping.

I sometimes wonder if dog's teeth will reduce in size if we keep feeding them kibble and easy to eat foods?

Christine

Hi Carol "how often"? Every day. I feed very similar to Christine but include oxtails, pork, whole chickens, offal. fish, turkey necks etc all raw. I also have a mongrel who was born with v bad teeth & used to go for descale & they are great now.
Christine2

hi, i,ve just sent a message to BARF as i relly have no idea how you feed it raw sorry to sound so thick but i was always told never to feed bones only marrow please explain

Hi Carol, there are barf message groups at yahoo & you can join them. There is one called Britbarf & a barf beginners list. Put them into google & they should come up.Or just put the word "barf" or "raw meaty bones" into google & you will find them. I can`t do links so maybe some one could (Christine please) put them on for you.
Christine2

Hi Christine, this is an observation, not a criticism, but I have always understood that it was not good to feed pork to dogs? Anyone any comments on good or bad?

i feed raw,but never pork as it is not one of the better meats for dogs, but a little will not do much harm.before i fed barf i swore by the plaque attacker chews from nylabone (i think) they do work great for cleaning the teeth and last longer than any other chews.

Hi Philippa,I think the thought pork was not good for them came from worms that are only killed by cooking. I buy human quality meat & the pork is always frozen first which I think kills it. Not sure about this so some one will correct me if I`m wrong. I also try to feed them a varied as possible diet so they may only get pork every ten days or so & whats going on offer at the butchers. Last month it was quail & rabbits so it depends. Pork is very cheap over here as well so is something I can`t dismiss when the price of other meat is expensive. Not sure which one Billinghurst or Lonsdale say porks OK. Up to now my lot are OK.
Christine2

I have been doing a bit of research into the barf diet and finally started it yeturday, But ,my dogs have always had the odd pigs head each as a recreational bone and I have had no problems except pork makes them fart !!!!!!! YUK!
And after speaking to another golden owner who also feeds BARF she said her dogs fart on pork...........

Hope you don't mind me asking christine but after reading your last post I was wondering wether I can feed my dogs raw game too.
I have a few friends who shoot on a regular basis to control rabbits ,pigeons ect for the local farmer.
If I can feed them this would be great as it would add variety PLUS wouldn't cost me anything either....

I have fed mine rabbits with just the stomach/intestine removed by the hunter, I think the fur must help protect from the bones as they came out well wrapped <g>. I give them roadkill as well if I can find it fresh enough

Christine (Kerioak)

You sure can Emma. Don`t know about pigeon tho, you will have to find out about that and I would think any shot would need to be removed.
Christine2

There's a really good product called "Logic" which you can get from your vets. It's a tube of cream and they just have to lick a dollop of it off your hand and they think they're getting a treat! It's also fantastic for cats~ever tried to brush your cat's teeth???

Logic never worked on my bitch!

Mind you, does not always work with me either

Christine
Kerioak

I found Logic quite good but we get very good results from brushing with an enzymatic paste, not only does it keep the teeth in good condition I think the dog benefits from a daily check in the mouth anyway. Mine are very willing, they think the paste tastes great and it probably helps with their willingness to have others check their mouths when necessary such as a vet. Agree a cat may be a lot more tricky

Get some Fragaria from Dorwest Herbs, it works wonders for my dogs and me!
Diane

I've just started mine on Fragaria and I've noticed the difference already.

Helen