Hi everyone, it has been a long time! I have a question about bones. I don't give my corgi bones because I see a lot of damage that can be caused by bones at the vet clinic I work at. (broken teeth, intestinal obstructions....) I have always been weary of bones. My groomer friend swears by them. I just did a dental cleaning on my dog the end of last year and he is already developing tartar on his premolars. I can't do a dental on that poor dog every year. No way. I started giving him Antlerz which he is excited about at first then they must lose their flavor. He has broken bits off the anterz in the past.

I am sure the number of people who give bones on this board far outweigh the number of people who don't. Anybody have any dental tricks/ treats/ methods they use at home?

Thanks to anyone who responds!

Eli can't get a dental because of pulmonary stenosis, and I refuse to have another ECHO done just to get his teeth cleaned.  I don't give bones, but use all sorts of treats and chews:  Texas toothpicks, Twistex, Zuke's Z Ridge dental chews, munchy sticks, and Proden Plaque Off, which is a suppliment that is added to his food. His teeth are pretty clean. Cleaner than when I started using all these things.

Actually, I lied about the bones...I do give marrow bones on occassion. They are big, fun to gnaw on, and don't seem likely to splinter. I let the kids have them for about an hour, and take them away after that.  This is only about once in a blue moon.

Hope this info helps!

How long do these treats typically last your kids? I have given Byngham flossies (which he loves but has it down in 5 minutes) and the texas taffy (I have to cut them in half because they just don't last).

He let me try to scrape some of the junk off his tooth (he is so good) but I know it will be a matter of time before it comes back. Where do you get the Plaque Off supplement?

Byngham flashes me a victimized look if I try to take something away from him without a trade (when he was younger I gave him retriever rolls. I tried to take them away about half way through which resulted in him not trusting me near his goodie. We are back on a level of trust)

Thanks for the information!

 Hard bones are the primary cause of dog’s teeth breaking; knuckle bones are soft.

Giving bones to your pet to chew on is an effective method for keeping tarter from accumulating and aids in keeping your dog’s teeth clean. Raw knuckle bones (the joints), from your local butcher or meat counter at the  supermarket, are great because they are soft  and allow your dog to scrape its teeth into the bone, nicely cleaning food and tartar from teeth. These bones still have some tendons and muscle meat. They will clean your dog’s teeth and  provide a nice oral workout as well as a healthy amount of natural calcium. Your dog will enjoy a good knuckle bone. It will be content and relaxed while chewing, and a little sleepy afterwards. Keep your dog on a towel that is easily washed.

 Cooked bones can splinter and cause mouth injury as well as intestinal problems.

Supervise your dog to prevent it from swallowing a large piece of bone, which may cause choking or digestive problems. Give your dog bones that are too large to swallow and NOT cooked. Do NOT give unthawed frozen bones to avoid the possible breaking of teeth. Raw carrots are a good substitute for cleaning your dog’s teeth.

I must admit, these treats don't last long at all.  I have found that the Plaque Off really helps. I also think Jay's recommendation on knuckle bones is a good one....I have not been able to find any, and the ones I DO find are HUGE. I don't think the kids can get their teeth around them...Jay, what do you think?

Ask the butcher behind the meat area for some smaller ones if possible or have him cut the big ones in half. I would try to let them have a go at the big one and see how they do. It will be a good mental and physical exercise of great pleasure for them.

Plaque Off is available at Only Natural Pet.  I originally heard about it elsewhere....a small bottle will last you at least 3-6 months, and you will notice a difference in Byng's teeth in the first month or 2. I highly recommend it....my vet isn't bugging me about a dental appt any more....