my lab is 4 yrs and 9 months old.

he has tarter build up on some of his rear teeth..

when do you know its time to take your dog in to have teeth cleaned?

Has the Vet made comments on the tartar?

He/she would be able to let you know if it is excessive and needs treatment.

he said 5 years,toby is 4.9 yrs..
some said 6 months, otherrs 2 years others 5 yrs others 7 yrs others 9 yrs..

vet said not to give my dog dry food with water because that sticks to his teeth but he likes water in it..

also he said no raw bones for his teeth, that was surprising.

he said it breaks the rear molars..

i guess tartar builds up different on each dog..

so, girl in office said it this way, if it looks like tartar is on teeth, have it done..

also i have to brush his teeth 3 times a week now..

I posted simliar to this on another thread. Right now, I am feedig my Basset Hound 2 cups of Dry mixed wth a can of wet food. It still has enough of the "crunch" to help keep his teeth clean, the wet foot softens it up some. I have not taken him to a vet yet that has had anything but great things to say about him. They all have looked at his teeth, and getting a cleaning has never been reccommended. Casey is 7 this year.

today i fed my lab diamond lamb/rice DRY without water..
he did not like idea but ate it all then drank down a pan of water.
this is why i was told to give him water in food so he would not drink a pan of water after..
but, vet says that wet food sticks on dogs teeth and causes TARTAR.

cleaning is around 150 dollars now,he also was mad i was giving my dog a raw bone.i thought a raw marrow bone was fine, i guess not on teeth..

he said that teeth crack from bones and more dental bills..

so, off to have his teeth cleaned on tuesday

I actually brush teeth!

I have very little tartar build up as I feed dry. I do use those braided knotted chew ropes and that is like dental floss. But I have a pic and do teeth from time to time. But a simple little brushing form time to time has taken care of any build up for me.

JW

after he gets his teeth cleaned,160 dollars,i am brushing his teeth at least 3 times a week..

dang teeth cost more to clean than mine.........................

Ya! It is expensive! Little preventitive care goes a long ways. Benn there too!

Oh one more tidbit - didja know there are 42 teeth to a normal dog?

JW

well, we are home from cleaning..
it was 118 dollars not 160 as i was told.
52 was cleaning,47 for sleep drug,17 for keeping him all day,2 dollars for getting rid of something.oh TARTER..

i did not know they cant get rid of yellow or brown stains,i thought that was tarter,i was wrong..

his teeth are whiter as they polished them with something but he is real tired...

vet did real good job on cleaning, thoseteeth are bright white..
i am glad i had it done,funny, he grins at me now on couch,ha...