I use this- I don't know if it's the top quality, but I brush my dogs' teeth nightly after dinner. My 13 year old never had any tooth issues, and my 7 year old has never required a tooth cleaning recommendation from the vet. Her teeth are pearly white! My 13 month old is finally getting it and no longer chomping on the brush as I use it. They absolutely love the taste!! I let the pup have a lick before I brush which keeps him distracted. I've read it's only required to brush the outside, so I load the brush, brush the outside of one side, then load and do the other side- 20 stokes each side. Congrats on the milestones with the puppy!! This way shouldn't require extra treats.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00025K0R6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Do you regularly brush their teeth? While my puppy doesn't have tartar, the Amazon reviews for the brand of toothpaste she uses has a lot of reviews and photos of dogs whose tartar got a lot better with this particular toothpaste. Maybe give this a go.
Buy flavored toothpaste if yours isn't already. Most dogs I have worked with love the taste of it, so treats aren't even necessary. This is the one I use, but there's others available for sure.
Don't worry as much about actually brushing the teeth at first, just getting the toothpaste in their mouth is better than nothing. You can even smear the toothpaste into the grooves of toys (like this kong ball) for them to chew it off while you're working on getting them used to brushing.
For the long term, just slowly build them up to brushing their teeth. At first, just get them happy about having a finger under their gums by lifting the gums, touching a tooth, and then rewarding. You can get finger toothbrushes to make the transition to brushing from this even easier. Once they're happy about this, you can move on to movement on the teeth, then reaching for the back teeth, then doing the inside parts of all the teeth.
You may have to break down the steps even more than this depending on how tolerant your dog is. For example, some dogs need reinforcement for just having their head held still at first because they react negatively to that alone. Work with what your dog can handle to make it a positive experience, it's more than worth the investment to have a dog that will happily sit still for a brushing. :)
I'm sorry that happened OP, glad cat is doing better.
Chicken flavor toothpaste has been our flavor of choice. Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste Dog Poultry Flavor, 6.2 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00025K0R6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_uvuPBbY5TX18C
He is an adorable and handsome guy!!!! I'm so thankful you were able to find him after he got out!
Name: Daisy
Breed: Beagle mix (we suspect daschund)
Age: 8 years approx.
Likes: Snuggles, playing with squeaky toys that she eventually destroys, and long walks in the park
Dislikes: Baths, the vacuum cleaner, when my husband or I leave the house
Favorite Toy: Squeaky pig
Favorite Treats: Frozen peas
Story Time: I spent an entire day teaching Daisy how to play fetch when she was a puppy. I decided to record a video and send it to my husband who was at work to show him what she learned. This was that video. It's best with the sound on. Spoiler alert: >!That's her peeing at the end. She wasn't quite housetrained yet. 😂!<
I have this doggy toothpaste on my main wishlist for her stinky breath. 😂
Thank you for the contest!
My 12yo has a bit of buildup, but generally her teeth are in good shape. I brush daily for probably a minute (as long as she tolerates), and make sure that her treats are dental ones (like Grreenies) or hard crunchy ones.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00025K0R6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
first,this is what I use. I've used it on 3 different pugs and they all love it.
Brushing teeth can be difficult and weird but I've found the best way to introduce my dogs to this kind of invasive grooming at any age (i've started at dog as old as13 years old because no one was doing any kind of care for him) is to get them while they're taking a bath.
The way I wash my dogs is I put them in the bathtub, pour warm water over them with a cup, and have the water up to their knees so they're warm but not drinking soap water (too much at least). After I've spent a long time scrubbing them all over their bodies, faces, arms, and legs, they're already a little more desensitized to touch. They're happy to be touched literally anywhere and it feels like playing and affection.
At the end, I start throwing in tooth brushing. The toothpaste tastes like chicken so it already kind of tastes like a treat and a weird touch inside the mouth like tooth brushing isn't so weird and upsetting. If you're lucky, you can even desensitize them to ear cleanings too at the same time while they're riled up. I also start by lifting up their lip and going in from the side, then front, then all the way deep into the back.
The first time will may be weird and difficult but do it once a week (even without a real bath, just water no soap) and they'll get used to it.
It's great that you're brushing their teeth so early too! So many owners don't take care of their dog's teeth and ears because their dog hasn't shown signs of discomfort or pain yet, but the whole point, just like for humans is to maintain hygiene so they hopefully never have to feel it :)
You could try brushing more. Try everyday for 30 days. What kind of toothpaste do you use? I use this one, and it's great: http://www.amazon.com/Petrodex-Enzymatic-Toothpaste-Poultry-6-2-Ounce/dp/B00025K0R6