Favorite /Recommended Dental Chew Bones

Comments

• Kaddy

  August 2008 edited November -1

  Sarah posted somewhere that if you don't want to hit your shin with it, the dogs shouldn't have it. I think that's a pretty fair rule. Our vet also said that if you can't put a fingernail in it, it's too hard... or maybe someone on these forums said that... or both? Anyway, that's what made me take away the cute little pink nylabone Keiko got as a gift... it was hard as a rock.
• kojichan

  August 2008 edited November -1

  Thanks Kaddy. I've read that here and elsewhere. That's part of what makes me cautious. But I never read a single, negative thing about the Zuke's bones, and normally, a web search will yield negative comments on just about anything.
• MommyofNiko

  August 2008 edited November -1

  I use the hard (non-edible) nylabones for my girls. They, and I, love it. It doesnt fall apart so no fear of them choking on it, it lasts forever and perfect for destructible chewers.
  This is what they are going back and forth on right now.
  http://www.nylabone.com/products/non-edible/durable-chews/galileo174-bone.htm
• lindsayt

  August 2008 edited November -1

  Galileo bones are great because there are no hard edges to get a grip on and if they are the right size, the dogs can't get their entire jaw around them and chomp down hard enough to cause those nasty molar fractures.
  
  My new favorite thing for teeth has been the Himalayan dog chews, which texture wise sound a lot like the Zukes chews. http://www.himalayandogchew.com/
  
  Also, I try to brush those teeth every week. Does anyone else brush teeth and how often (and how many people does it take :)
• ljowen123

  August 2008 edited November -1

  I'm working with Jazz on brushing teeth - I get about a minute in and that's it - right now it's a daily thing
• Kaddy

  August 2008 edited November -1

  I'm not actually using paste on Keikos teeth, just getting her used to the brush right now.
  
  She see's Belle get her teeth brushed everyday (which is a must right now) and gets jealous... that is... until it's her turn ;o)
• JessicaRabbit

  August 2008 edited November -1

  All teeth get brushed weekly here. Except humans (we try to be a LITTLE more frequent :P) And we don't have any struggle. I use one of those brushes that slips onto your finger.
• Leonberger

  August 2008 edited November -1

  Tooth brushing here is still in the process of being put to regular practice,since Kuma isn't yet used to the whole notion. I used a tooth brush that brushes both sides of the teeth at the same time or a finger rubber thing.
• ddowdemers

  August 2008 edited November -1

  I do the same as Rui. Double sided brush and/or rubber finger thingie.
  Instead of paste, Michelle turned me on to 'PetzLife" oral care gel.
  Tenji's teeth are brushed on a weekly basis as he has a lot of chew toys/bones.
• ljowen123

  August 2008 edited November -1

  btw, just got in some nylabone stuff - the rhino line of tug toys - has anyone tried them out?
• MommyofNiko

  August 2008 edited November -1

  No....but Niko would love to let you know how it works out!
  ; )
• ddowdemers

  August 2008 edited November -1

  what do y'all think about "Greenies"?
• JessicaRabbit

  August 2008 edited November -1

  I have read enough Greenie hate mail at this point I just don't risk it. But honestly I have never given my dogs one. SO I can not actually form an educated opinion.
• okiron

  August 2008 edited November -1

  I've heard too many stories of dogs choking on Greenies. Scares me shizzless.
• kojichan

  August 2008 edited November -1

  Have been considering these lately, and decided to order a couple last night.
  
  http://www.easybrush.com/Easy WEB.wmv
• lindsayt

  August 2008 edited November -1

  Interesting, looks like more fun for the dogs and much easier to use than the three-sided toothbrush.
• apshiba

  August 2008 edited November -1

  I do use brush with Frost 4 days a week. I started with finger brush, but quickly moved onto normal brush with chicken flavoured paste. He sits in front of me and we work for about 3 minutes. All I have do his show his brush with paste and he comes wagging his tail.
  
  initially he did not like nylabones but since 5th month he has taken a liking for those and he is become even more stronger chewer. The other day, he polished one end of nylabone. Those are pretty hard.
• kojichan

  August 2008 edited November -1

  Just a couple updates from my earlier posts those who may care to know ...
  
  I opened a new bag of the Zuke's dental bones today that I purchased about a month ago . They were much softer -- actually flexed pretty easily -- than the original batch I purchased. Either I had received a stale, hardened batch with my first purchase, or Zuke's changed their formula. So based on the new stuff, I give them a thumbs up.
  
  I also received the "Easy Brush" today. Not sure how well it will really work yet. For one thing, even the "small" size is large for a Shiba. Koji wasn't even sure what to do with it at first. In the beginning, I'm sure because of its size, Koji just licked it a bit. Then with a little encouragment, he began to get the idea. But he had some difficulty figuring out just how to really chew on it. I'd say at least half the time, he was just chewing the "bone", but not into the bristles themselves, which is the whole point.
  
  It did seem he eventually started to get the hang of it and did begin to chew "properly" toward the end. Your supposed to limit the chew sessions to 2-3 minutes to avoid gum irritation from prolonged chewing. So I didn't let it go on long enough to see if he would keep on chewing with the bone in that position. I'll have to see how it goes tomorrow, now that he's had some "practice". Pretty ingenious device if it actually works.