April 19, 2013

FitDog Friday: Pearly-White Canines!

... and incisors and whatever else a dog's mouth has going on in there. Yes, today on FitDog Friday, I'm posting about something that may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to keeping your pup fit and healthy: teeth. Just as with humans and dental health, keeping a dog's teeth healthy is super important too! (Note: Be sure to read to the end of the post for a link to a giveaway on one of our fave blogs!)

Do I Really Have to Brush My Dog's Teeth?
I grew up in the days of ignoring the dog's teeth, so it's been a little hard to get in the habit of regular brushing. When I came across Jozi the Corgi (yes, another Corgi! You know we love those around here, as evidenced by yesterday's post!) & the Pussycats' Smooch a Pooch Giveaway, we had to enter. How could Pooch Smooches resist a "Smooch a Pooch" giveaway?? Plus, I figured if we won I'd have no excuse not to brush Rita's teeth.

Well - we won! So now I have to start brushing Rita's teeth. And we've been lazy, but no more excuses.

I couldn't believe how big the box with our winnings was. Rita could have fit inside! I didn't remember everything involved in the prize package, so was expecting a tiny box with a doggy toothbrush and some Dentastix - but no! There were tons of goodies!
She's so excited, her head's all blurry in this photo.
I had to really dig around in there to make sure we didn't miss anything!
Rita with our haul!
Here's everything we won:
  • A coupon for a free office visit and dental consultation to Banfield (inside Petsmart)** 
  • Paw Print Keepsake 
  • Doggie Toothbrush 
  • 2 Doggie Toys
  • Dentastix Fresh samples - yes sir, yes sir - 3 bags full!
  • Sephora goodies including a $25.00 Sephora gift card (Whoo-hoo! Some shopping for the Momma!)
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste & Altoids for us humans to keep our breath minty fresh and clean

Rita loved the toys that were included:
"Give, Momma!"

But quickly abandoned them in favor of the Dentastix:
"Oh, I love the easy-open packaging."
"Seriously, Momma. The Sephora thing is yours. Get away from my Dentastix!"
Just one, Rita!

After she finished the lone Dentastix I would let her have, she was back playing with her new toys. This one is really cute and is designed for snuggling - it sort of has a blankie attached to the stuffed part.
"I'll snuggle this later. Right now, I think I'll eat it."
Today we got out the toothbrush, which is really cool and 3-sided. As luck would have it, I'd been reading My Brown Newfie's post on all the benefits of coconut oil, (check it out cuz there's lots of good info about the health benefits both inside and out, for you AND the dog!). Via the comments and following some links, I found that some folks use it to brush their dog's teeth, so I thought I'd try that. I've tried in the past to brush Rita's teeth with one of those finger brushes and some gross chicken-flavored toothpaste, but she was not keen.

Today when I came at her with the new toothbrush with a bit of coconut oil on it, she was happy to give it a go!
"Yum!"
"Momma, could you stop the brushing action and just let me lick this??!"
Look at those pearly whites! Gotta keep 'em that way!

Thanks again to Jozi the Corgi & the Pussycats! (Stop by and check out their cute blog!)


**NOTE: I'm happy with our vet and he runs a teeth cleaning special every February, so if anyone would like the coupon for the free Banfield checkup, let me know. I'm happy to mail it to you!

Do you brush your dog's teeth? It's important for keeping them healthy!

Now... In Other News?
Remember when Taryn from A Tail of Two Cardis won my giveaway celebrating What the Dog Ate's first anniversary? Well, she's having her own giveaway starting today, so stop by A Tail of Two Cardis and check it out!



28 comments:

  1. Jackie, thanks for joining our Hop. You are right, dental health is absolutely part of having a FIT dog. I'm like you though, been lazy to deal with the hassle. You have inspired me and I'm going to get that toothbrush and try the coconut oil trick too! Thanks for the tips.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think the coconut oil is really going to help make this more fun for Rita - and if it's more fun for her, she's more willing - and that just makes the whole thing easier so I'll be more likely to do it!

      Delete
  2. Great post! We're brushing for the first time too. Rocco's digging the chicken-flavored toothpaste, but he wants to eat the toothbrush too. We're still working on it! hehe!
    Your pals,
    Diane and Rocco Havanese

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hard to brush when they are trying to eat the brush!

      Delete
  3. I have Torrey in the habit of getting her teeth brushed, I can't even get near Roxy's mouth. So Roxy gets greenies and hard chews, they are working good for her. Torrey's teeth are much nicer since I started brushing them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think the hard chews are why Rita's teeth are still so white even though I just started brushing. I got her an antler, and man did that clean away the tartar. (But I worry about giving them to her often, since I don't want her to break a tooth! They're so hard!)

      Delete
  4. Ma brushes my teeth but I will tell you, I don't like it much. I do love the Dentastix though. BOL You've got some great pearly-whites over there!
    *high paws*
    Oz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Rita would prefer to just have the Dentastix too! But hopefully we'll be able to get in to the habit with the brushing!

      Delete
  5. Woof! Woof! Yes proper dental is important to have a healthy dog. I always get report from vet having good teeth especially I am a senior dog. Happy FitDog Friday. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

    ReplyDelete
  6. Superb nashers there. You keep them nice and clean. We have dried food at night for that very reason. Well not at the moment as we have been ill and it is chicken and rice for the time being. Yum. Have a fabulous Friday.
    Best wishes Molly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, we do the dried food too, which they say helps. Lots of different things you can do to keep the "nashers" looking good!

      Delete
  7. You are so lucky to with that package. Everything looks awesome. Congrats!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know - we've been so lucky lately! We've won a bunch of stuff! Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket...

      Delete
  8. Oh what fun! We just give the Babies JNC chews for dental well-being. But I enjoyed the coconut post, too, and am considering picking some up for my family. Very cool stuff.

    Nothing funny from Flea on Friday. Sorry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That coconut post was a good one. I put some in my hair for like an hour last night before shampooing it. It really does seem softer now. I've got a jar of it in the kitchen and the bathroom now!

      Delete
    2. Hi! That's a fantastic prize pkg you got!! Looks like Rita is doing really well with the tooth brushing. Thanks for joining FitDog Friday :)

      Delete
  9. Never did the tooth brushing thing before with our pups, but we plan on starting early with Reggie. Soooo much to do with this little pup right now, so we'll get to the dental routine in a week or two.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Never did the tooth brushing thing before with our pups, but we plan on starting early with Reggie. Soooo much to do with this little pup right now, so we'll get to the dental routine in a week or two.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'll have to try the coconut oil thing. I brush my dogs' teeth occasionally, but since I feed raw, their teeth are pretty stellar already.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's good that their teeth are in good shape. Rita's are too, so hopefully they'll stay that way!

      Delete
  12. I'm gonna try the coconut thing too. Wow congrats to you and Rita! What an awesome prize box!!! Whoo Hoo! Mother load!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know - can you believe all the stuff we won? Crazy the lucky streak we've been on.

      Delete
  13. Good job, Rita...keeping your teeth so pearly white! I love to have my teeth brushed, because we have yummy flavored toothpaste.

    Wyatt

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's good that you love getting your teeth brushed! Hopefully Rita will learn to love it too!

      Delete
  14. Congratulations on winning that amazing prize! I'm going to try coconut oil for teeth brushing! The dogs hate the stuff I've used so far and it would be nice to avoid all the angst!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oooh I missed this post, thanks for the link!

    My Mum read about coconut oil for teeth too, and got all excited as it's her latest obsession - it's also mine and now I wait every morning for the sound of the jar! Given my enthusiasm (I first discovered it on Mum's legs - Tee Hee) Mum decided I could have a little to taste, which I loved, then the last few mornings she's been putting it on her fingers and brushing my teeth, I have a feeling the brush is coming next, I'm not super keen, but I can't resist the oil!

    Big wags,

    Your pal Snoopy :)

    ReplyDelete

We love comments - even just a smiley face or a LOL will make my day. (Yes, my days are pretty easily made.)

PLEASE NOTE: Comment moderation is turned on for posts over 2 weeks old, so if you comment on an older post and don't see it show up right away, that's why.