Good Fuel and Oral Health

[Westernlaw]

I have two GSPs. They are on a high protein and fat diet due to the amount of hunting (and play) we engage in. The food works really well for them for this purpose. The problem is the kibbles are smaller
and they seem to have more of an issue with tartar build up. I brush their teeth every day and give them raw hides to chew once a week to try and alleviate the problem. Sometimes I think its a bit of a losing battle. The vet has recommended those vet dental diets but when I bring up the fact that those diet are insufficient protein and fat wise, the vet agrees.

My question is, does anyone have any experience/recommendations with a good food for their hunting buddy, that also has also been good for their friend's oral health?

[vom Dufenshmirtz]

some dogs (like some people) build up more tartar. I scale my dogs' teeth every 6-12 month.
I used to use a flat screwdriver, but upgraded to a scaler from Amazon.
I do it few minutes at a time, over the course of days, if not weeks. This way I can take my time and ensure I don't hurt them and they don't see it as a huge PIA.

[kjay]

We feed a mix of their regular feed with the royal canin dental formula. Basically 3 milk bag juga to one dental. My brittany was on pro plan for years and this really helped.


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[Bo D]

I go to a local abattoir in our area and by bones for my hounds. They cost me $4.00 per bag. The bags weigh about 10lbs each. 5 bags for $20.00. I give them each a bone twice a week during the winter and once every other week during the summer. Never have had a problem with tartar build up...

[yellow dog]

Dental problems can be breed specific. I have always used shank bones for all my dogs to chew on over the years with success. Ask a butcher to cut them in 4" to 6" lengths or buy already pre-cut. I will on occasion scale my dogs teeth as well, using a dental scaling tool.

[thunderbelly]

look into raw food for your dog, you will be amazed at the improvement

[Gilroy]

I have two GSPs. They are on a high protein and fat diet due to the amount of hunting (and play) we engage in. The food works really well for them for this purpose. The problem is the kibbles are smaller
and they seem to have more of an issue with tartar build up. I brush their teeth every day and give them raw hides to chew once a week to try and alleviate the problem. Sometimes I think its a bit of a losing battle. The vet has recommended those vet dental diets but when I bring up the fact that those diet are insufficient protein and fat wise, the vet agrees.

My question is, does anyone have any experience/recommendations with a good food for their hunting buddy, that also has also been good for their friend's oral health?

I was using raw food and home cooked food. I have had problems getting the raw so I have been using a food called ACTRIUM 16k bag holistic food from Wal Mart. Not every shop stocks it, it comes in a large kibble for large breed dogs $39.99 for one flavor and over $40.00 for a different formula.Dog doing good on the food,teeth good.This is a Ontario based company and they actually market it under a home brand name where the same bag sells for $60.00.My dog used to have skin problems with commercial food initially so I went to raw.On this food he has no skin/allergy problems.

[Longgun]

Grains can cause tartar. Raw hide is not good for them. And you need to be careful with bones, some dogs are aggressive chewers and will damage teath. I scall about once a month and they have bones with no meat to chew. As long as there is no meat on the bones they don't chew aggressively.
deb

[Deer Wrastler]

look into raw food for your dog, you will be amazed at the improvement

I second that...my dog gets home cooked meals "raw diet" you could say but modified a bit...i cook for her once every 3 days and make a 3 day batch at a time. Its much cheaper and nice to know whats going into her belly. German Sheppard with skin problems...once I went raw it all went away....Use brown rice as a main carb then add in various protein and greens which vary from eggs chicken walleye deer beef. She gets lots of extras as well when Im prepping food

[yellow dog]

Grains can cause tartar. Raw hide is not good for them. And you need to be careful with bones, some dogs are aggressive chewers and will damage teath. I scall about once a month and they have bones with no meat to chew. As long as there is no meat on the bones they don't chew aggressively.
deb

If your dog already has existing dental issues(bad teeth) then yes then can cause damage to teeth. I start pups off on shank bones and giving them until the day they die , my oldest dog living until age 16. My working sled dogs were fed primarily raw and still needed shank bones for dental health. You need a combination of both as well as the occasional scaling depending on the breed.