Raw Bones

jennie_c_d

Can you brush her teeth at all, Lori?

Yes, I do and I have the products that you mentioned.  The real problem is that her teeth have such build up on them they really need to be scaled.  The brushing is great to help with anything new but what's already there is pretty bad.  I thought I was taking such good care of her teeth, this sort of snuck up on me.  Her body changed while she was sick. 

And, Becca,  YES, the vet did strongly recommend a dental.  But, she understands why I'm worried and doesn't blame me.  Chows have trouble with anesthesia to begin with then I add in her thrombocytopenia issue and I get really scared for her. 

Ixas!!!

Hello, stranger!! 

I love the frozen broth idea, thanks!

Unfortunately, she'd have to be out for them to do anything for any period of time near her mouth--aggressive. 

THANKS!!

I haven't tried the petzlife gel, though I've heard good things about it.

The kids have lamb breast/ribs for chewing and/or nibbles tonight, they'll be thrilled

I'm so glad I finally have an answer to a post!  We give our dogs raw beef soup bones.  The butcher cuts them into slices, about 1 1/2" thick, if they are not already out in the meat trays.  They are readily available at many markets, and they are cheap!  We put them in the freezer, then hand them out as treats.  My dogs spend hours chewing these and trying to get the marrow out.  It does not prevent all tartar, but it really helps.  They aren't actually able to break the bone, but they scrape against it trying to get the beef off and the marrow out.  I'm not sure if Willow would be able to break the bone- if he did I think it's fine but check with others.

Amsten

amsten

They aren't actually able to break the bone, but they scrape against it trying to get the beef off and the marrow out.  I'm not sure if Willow would be able to break the bone- if he did I think it's fine but check with others.

This is also what I use...but I find the longest ones I can find, one of our local grocery stores sells them frozen usually in packages of 2 for about $2.50 - $3.00 at $1.39 per pound right now.  Of course Gibby is a big strong dog and he DOES break the bone....I won't let him have them without being right by me. Right now ( I'm off work today ) he has been laying on a blanket right next to me while I am on the computer and chewing on one for about an hour now....he is finally getting tired and his eyes are closing while he is holding his bone.  But he gets pieces off the end of the bone....and I always say "carefull" when you hear him really try to crunch it.....but thats what its all about to clean his teeth.....and his teeth are pearly white for the most part.  I just always worry that one day he won't break a tooth....or that a piece gets stuck somewhere inside of him....... 

 Dyan with Bugsy I try to get the whole leg bone - no butchers around here I get it at a Chinese grocery store

after a chew

the larger end is the knuckle and he gets a bunch of bone off that

Yum.........Gibby would be SOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy!

dyan

Yum.........Gibby would be SOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy!

I would have to coax Willow into trying it!  Sad, isn't it??  She's just not into chewing.  I offered her the bone she had started last week.  It was frozen and she just licked it and then went to sleep next to it.  Meanwhile, the kitten is stalking the kill, LOL!! 

willowchow

I would have to coax Willow into trying it!  Sad, isn't it??  She's just not into chewing.  I offered her the bone she had started last week.  It was frozen and she just licked it and then went to sleep next to it.

When I first started giving him raw bones he would just circle it and whine or pick it up and whine.  It really took a long time before he would chew it.  Same with his raw meals.  And he loves to chew

kpwlee

And please note he will not touch it - check out his paws in the pics LOL.

LOL!!