Hi

I have 2 toy poodles, 3 yrs old and 18 months - both suffer from bad breath. The baby retained his first teeth and had to have them removed - which I thought was the cause - he had them cleaned at the same time. It did clear up but has come back. My vet told me to ensure he was fed on Eukanuba or Iams dried food - so i switched from Burns to Eukanuba - I also brush their teeth every week.

But - they both still have bad breath - I have nopticed that the tartar is building up again on the little one's teeth. When I brushed his teeth today the toothbrush bristles were pink - telling me he has got inflamation of the gums again. Benny (the older dog) also has bad breath and tartar build up.

Any ideas on what I can do? I had considered putting them on the BARF diet - but am not convinced, especially as they are so small. I am very worried.

edit: sorry - should have mentioned I use logic toothpaste.

Jane

Smaller dogs than yours cope with BARF; if you do not fancy BARF you could still give them nylabones to gnaw, or have you tried Fragaria (wild strawberry) it is a homoeopathic remedy for tartar build up; works for some dogs not others.

I've heard from many people of small breeds that Eukanuba has a terrible effect on their teeth. If you had no problems with Burns I suggest you go back to that. The only reason the vet recommended it is probably because he sells it!

Jesse

Well they were on Burns but Biscuit developed the bad tartar - can understand what you say about the vet selling it though. to be honest, i dont think anything I have fed them has ever helped their teeth! But considering what you say abut other peoples views, will certainly change - but to what? What about leisure bones to chew on - would that help? Again, am worried as the dogs are so small.

Jane

My poodles chew on Nylabones or those sterilisd white ones (actually or anything else as well :D)

Jesse

I had this problem with my dog, by the age of 6 months his teeth were brown and covered in thick tartar despite chewing on bones and regular toothbrushing (He was fed on Pedigree puppy dry food) I commented on my bros weims teeth and he told me he never brushed them!! His dog was on Dr Johns Gold, so I tried it and after a month my dogs teeth were sparkling - without the toothbrushing. It may be that you will find that a change of food will help your dogs teeth but it is trial and error. I have tried my dog on other brands (bakers, etc.) and they always go brown. You might find that another brand works for your dogs, but it doesn't have to be Iams, Eukanuba or Dr Johns - just whatever works for your dogs. ;)

Regards
Dill