DentaStix

Re: DentaStix

SmegSlayer — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:26:27 GMT

it took 3 of us to try and brush my cavaliers teeth (yes, that angel faced one in the pic below!) she liked the toothpaste but not the brushing, or anybody poking around in her mouth. dentastix gave her diarrhoea (and made her gain weight) so we gave her some logic on a piece of carrot 2-3 times a week which worked well coz she actually had to chew carrot so the logic got spread round her mouth. she never had a dental as such but did have a quick scale and polish when she was having some xrays done.

I never advise dentastix. I think that they are just playing on owner insecurities without actually acheiving anything.

Re: DentaStix

Gemma Burden RVN — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 09:44:59 GMT

Glad its not just me then, sounds like we are all giving the same advice. I always tell my clients that the best thing they can do for their dogs teeth is to brush them, but they need to do them as regularly as they would do their own and make sure they get to the back. If they aren't going to do it properly then I usually recommend a dental diet (we are a Hills practice and only keep in Vet Essentials as our non prescription diets, so it will be interesting to see if this is making a difference when it has been around a bit longer) or Dentagen type products. I can't brush my own dogs teeth, I tried to get him used to it when he was a puppy, but he found it to exciting to be able to do very much, and now he thinks that toothpaste is food and its near impossible to get it into his mouth, so instead I have used Plaque Off for the past couple of years. He has a little bit of tartar, and its hard to say if it has made a difference as I don't know how much he would have if I haven't used it, but compaired to other dogs his age he has good teeth. He also had t/d as part of his daily ration. He has dental chews, but not for dental reasons, I just give them to his as a treat occassionally as he practically inhales them.
The other thing that concerns me about DentaStix is the calorie content of them. I seem to remember seeing one advert for them claiming how you don't need to worry about your pet gaining weight if it has them as they only have 77 kcal (I think this is the right amount, it was somewhere in the 70's) in each chew. This seems a lot to me, most humans wouldn't even want that many calories in one their snacks.

Re: DentaStix

Vicky RVN — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 08:59:10 GMT

Personally I use the RC oral bars. Tried brushing Jacks teeth but he hated it and would run and hide. I figured I would rather him have a dental at some point in his life than be terrified of me! I've tried Logic gel but he's not keen on that either. From that day I got him at a ?year old he's had an oral bar a day, regularly has rawhide to chew on and is fed a dry diet. He's now ?4 years old and his teeth are great, have manually scaled them once, but really not much on them. So yes, I recommend brushing to people over anything else BUT if the dog really doesn't like it, don't make the owners do it.

Re: DentaStix

Saskia Quinn — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 23:26:35 GMT

I agree with Stuart.

I think it depends a lot on the diet too. My dogs reguarly get chews and dentastix and I have never had one of them needing a dental. My 9 year old Greyhound has almost pearly whites, ignoring the grey muzzle and just judging by her teeth she would pass for a 3-4 year old dog.

Re: DentaStix

Stuart McQueen RVN MBVNA — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 22:45:40 GMT

There's only one thing I recommend for dental care... brushing their teeth! I tell people that Dentastixs are all very gimicky and might do a little good, but getting into their dogs mouth and brushing all the plaque away is the best method of avoiding dental issues later! Plus it helps the dog get used to having their mouths played around with - and strengthens the owner/dog bond.

The free stixs we got in the PSM for the last 3-4 years have been divided up between all the staff!! My dogs are exactly the same... there is no away they even taste them!!!