Miss Winnie's Dental

[Pugpillow]

. The selections for buying pre made raw food seem to be somewhat limited in this area.

I know what you mean.  Global Foods in Trenton carries only chicken and beef but they offered to order other things in for me.  Global Foods in Kingston had some raw but I thought the prices were prohibitive.  I called Global in Belleville and they, like the Trenton store, have just started stocking Tollden Farms.  They carry a variety pack of patties - chicken, turkey and beef - and the turkey package.  They also carry Healthy Paws and Nature's Variety in which they have lamb, venison and some other stuff.  You can also buy canned green tripe ("Tripett") at these stores but it's a treat as it's expensive.

If you want to try raw, I would suggest buying some of these home-made patties and feeding them in the morning.  Then for dinner feed grocery-store meat/poultry/fish.  I buy a whole turkey, cut it up and refreeze in meal portions.  I buy chicken legs/thighs and lean cuts of pork.  I buy canned jack mackerel and frozen fish (tilapia, sole, sardines, salmon).  I also buy duck necks which are full of calcium at the King Cole abattoir in Sharon.  They require poultry shears to chop into cubes but if you want to try them, I have quite a quantity in my freezer.

Having said all this, I don't know that raw feeding makes any improvement to their dental hygiene, other than raw marrow bones, of course.  But it is better for them in general.

[Candace]

Mocha gets really red gums, that bleed. If I brush his teeth, it really helps keep them healthier. Bones are great, but just weren't enough for Mocha. Sal and Mookie don't have that problem and they just chew bones.
I hope Winnie feels better very soon.

[RockysMom]

Rocky hates it, but I brush his teeth...he was getting a lot of tartar for a 3 year old dog and the brushing has helped a lot.....

[serenpugity]

Thanks for all of your good wishes and suggestions. It has taken Winnie a few days to really recover and she is tillvomiting her food on occasion. Looking for suggestions for doggie toothpaste. Was there not a thread a while back about a dangerous ingredient in some of the doggie toothpaste brands? She had her dental and extractions on Easter Monday. When should her mouth be fully healed so I can begin brushing?

[blanche]

The big problems with the dental products are more the ones you add to their drinking water as quite a few have alcohol in them. 

Most toothpastes for dogs are relatively safe, I believe.  I'm cautious with any sugar added--and watch for Xylitol--but that's usually only a risk if using a human product.

Candace uses a chicken flavoured one, I think.

As to timing--I'd give her a full two weeks to heal.

[RockysMom]

I get Rocky's toothpaste from the vet.....it's fish flavoured....he loves the taste and it doesn't have an sweeteners in it.....or alcohol.....

[pugmetender]

Joanne, I think I use the same one as Candace. It's Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste, chicken flavour. I started off using the finger brush that came with the kit, but found it awkward trying to reach my Lola's back molars, so have since switched to the small end of the double ended toothbrush that also comes with the kit. It works much better for us.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752917&lmdn=Dog+Health+Care

[serenpugity]

Thanks everyone for your wise counsel and suggestions. Miss Winnie and her sister are on their way to raw and dehydrated food. I'm picking up the tooth brush/toothpaste kit tomorrow to get ready for the weekend. They both chewed on marrow bones yesterday. Sasha will be having a dental in the summer. The Pug learning never stops!!!

[Candace]

I do use the chicken one. Good luck, with the brushing. Children's toothbrushes work well too.

[Jug and Pug]

Joanne, I think I use the same one as Candace. It's Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste, chicken flavour. I started off using the finger brush that came with the kit, but found it awkward trying to reach my Lola's back molars, so have since switched to the small end of the double ended toothbrush that also comes with the kit. It works much better for us.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752917&lmdn=Dog+Health+Care

We use that one as well....... it came with a "dog" sized white toothbrush - angled and long handle for reaching to the back!

[serenpugity]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Winnie's teeth are gleaming now and we'll be starting the brushing early next week when her mouth is completely healed.

And we've also gone to raw food. I was in Kingston earlier this week and got some Nature's Variety Instinct venison medallions and lamb medallions. Winnie and Sasha love it. I had been thinking about it for quite  awhile but just needed some impetus to get started. We're starting with the raw frozen and might also try some dehydrated and then hopefully when I can get myself organized as well as get my head around preparing this raw meat, I'll make their food myself.  I am finding this a challenge as I have very strong vegetarian leanings for myself so the thought of buying and handling dead animal flesh for the Pugs will take some time to work toward.

Appreciate all the knowledge that has been shared on the forum about raw feeding. Never in my life would I have imagined doing this but Hilary it was you, a few years ago at your house when you did the demonstration of making raw food at a Pugalug event, that the seed was planted. It makes complete sense and I truly believe based on what I've read that it is much better for the Pug Girls. So thanks again.