BRUSHING MY DOG’S TEETH

The entire month of February I find myself burdened with guilt. I cringe knowing it’s National Pet Dental Health Month and I have not been “all that I can be” when it comes to brushing my dog’s teeth!

There I said it!

Now – what in the doodle do I plan to do about it?

  • Acknowledge and accept responsibility
  • Correct my behavior
  • Bear my soul at the Vet’s office
  • Go see “Pops” the butcher #huh?

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Yes, I shall explain everything – from the beginning – including “Pops”

I’m concerned now more than ever about Harley’s teeth. Harley is 6 years old #cantbelieveit and it is crucial that I become diligent and pro-active in the fight against periodontal disease and other complications that can occur due to plaque buildup.

While I have a “hit or miss” track record when it comes to his dental care, I no longer wish to live behind my excuses of forgetfulness and/or laziness. #pleasedontjudgeme

February is wellness month in our family. And for Harley I was prepared to “come clean” #punintended regarding proper pet dental care…

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I chose to share his dental exam with you for a few reasons:

  • support
  • accountability
  • reality check #mine

The exam wasn’t as bad as I feared. He does have a little tarter build-up. In Harley’s case since he’s okay having a toothbrush in his mouth – there is hope. We have a plan 🙂

You see, Doodle Doc understands me. She knows I’m a minimalist when it comes to medication to include anesthetizing a dog for a dental cleaning. But if I don’t get my act together – we may not have options next year. #wehaveaplan

There is never any shame in my game when it comes to Harley and his health. I brought his toothbrush and “vanilla flavored” toothpaste to his appointment…

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…praying she had time to demonstrate the proper way to brush his teeth…

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She did! #lovethislady

Afterwards she discussed “the” plan – which is how I met “Pops” the butcher.

She told me to visit the butcher at my favorite grocery store and ask for “raw” beef marrow bones with small centers…

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Harley is to “feast” on one bone twice a week for a month. According to Doodle Doc I should see a remarkable improvement.

If this is going to be a gut wrenching “honest” post I have to tell you, I asked some really stupid questions:

“Should I –

  • par-boil them?
  • bake them?”

She responded with “no” on both suggested preparation methods and said “think living in the wild.”

In the car I kept thinking “in the wild.”

I called a blogging friend Kimberly Gauthier of “Keep The Tail Wagging”  who is presently raising two sets of litter mates naturally on a raw food diet. If you know Kimberly you’ll understand when I tell you I got the seal of approval as I heard her smiling on the other end of the phone saying “that is so cool.”

I brought the bones home, separated them two to a bag, and now they’re ready for the freezer…

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I’ve always used Oxyfresh in his water, he eats a Greenies Dental Chew everyday at 4:00pm and now I’m brushing Harley’s teeth two-three times a week.

We are scheduled for a follow-up at the end of March. I promise to share our results with you.

Have you ever given your dog raw marrow bones for tarter control? I’m sure Harley’s gonna love this 🙂

Be kind to someone and as always, thank you so very much for sharing me with your friends!

I am joining the Monday Mischief blog hop brought to you by Alfie’s BlogSnoopy’s Dog BlogMy Brown Newfies.

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15 Comments
  • Emma
    February 23, 2015

    Um, just wondering if you would like to adopt a GBGV? I think the vet’s plan of those marrow bones sound like something lacking at my house and I think I need to start that regimen immediately. Harley, you are one lucky doodle for getting a prescription like that!

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 24, 2015

      We would love to be Emma’s guardian. Pack her stuff, I’ve got a beef marrow bone here with her name on it! 🙂 🙂

  • Amanda
    February 23, 2015

    Thanks for all of this information! I’ve also neglected our oral care routine but you’ve inspired me to step it up!

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 24, 2015

      Great Amanda! You and I can support one another. I’m doing so much better (but then it’s only been a week!) with brushing and I will give him his first bone this Thursday. Don’t worry, I plan to keep everyone updated. Thanks for reading, love that I’m not alone in this whole pet dental thing LOL

  • Jackie Bouchard
    February 23, 2015

    I’ve heard you can do the raw bones thing, but I’ve never gotten up the nerve. I’ll be interested to hear how it goes! I’m terrible about brushing Rita’s teeth, I muxt confess!

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 24, 2015

      Jackie, this is going to be the hardest thing for me to do – be consistent with his teeth care. That’s primarily why I put myself out there – now I’ve got to do it! I am genuinely intrigued with the assistance of raw bones to help fight the tarter, so I will definitely f/u with everyone.

  • Elaine
    February 24, 2015

    Harley will LOVE the bones! The only downside is they can be a little messy inside the house. When Haley gets one, I put down a beach towel and make sure she chews it on the towel for the first time (the first chewing session). After that, the bone is pretty clean and I toss the towel in the washer. Haley now has her own beach/bone towel. 🙂

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 24, 2015

      HA! I love that Elaine “a beach/bone” towel. I will definitely use the beach towel, and I plan to sit with him when we do this on Thursday. I chose Thursday because Friday we’re headed to the pet resort for a bath #perfectiming I am really intrigued about this bone, tarter connection, and I can’t wait to see how it pans out. Thanks for the encouraging words and tips!

  • Ann Staub
    February 24, 2015

    Well, that is so cool! I am interested in seeing the results. None of the vets I worked with ever recommended raw stuff, but I know everyone’s opinions differ. And they may have changed their views since then… who knows. I still have never given Shiner raw bones because I’m afraid she will choke or something. She likes to dig right in to stuff like this. Good luck!

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 24, 2015

      This is new territory for me also Ann. Both the vet and another blogger recommended that I use a beach towel for Harley to sit on during his bone feast. I will sit with him too because I want to make sure he doesn’t over do it, or move from the towel, or make a mess. I’ve decided Thursday’s to be the day for his marrow bone moment so if it’s as big a mess as I think it might be, we will run for a bath on Friday 🙂 Of course I will make sure I write a f/u post. I promise!

  • M. K. Clinton
    February 25, 2015

    No bones about it, you’ve redeemed yourself! LOL! I may try bones after Pierre moves back with his mom. Bentley doesn’t share his bones very well.

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 25, 2015

      Giving him his first one tomorrow. Pray for me MK that I don’t gag sitting down there with hi, What we do for our dogs! LOL

  • Jan K
    February 28, 2015

    I also have to confess that this is the one area in which I am a slacker when it comes to my dogs. I’ve tried in the past and no one would cooperate in getting their teeth brushed….and I just don’t have enough patience to battle three dogs. Cricket had to go in for a full cleaning last year. 🙁 It all went fine though, but I’d rather avoid it.
    I didn’t know about the marrow bones, so perhaps that is something we should try.

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 28, 2015

      You and I are not alone (so I’ve found out!). I’m hoping the marrow bone exercise works out. I will definitely keep you posted.

  • Cathy Bennett
    February 24, 2016

    Thanks Mayra! It was fun…