Holistic Care : Grooming : Teeth

You can get your puppy used to having his or her teeth brushed with a pet toothbrush and toothpaste specifically formulated for canines at an early age. There are fingertip brush heads which fit over your finger that may be easier to use. Otherwise, most pet toothbrushes look like regular ones with a longer handle. Be sure never to use human toothpaste on canine teeth, as they are not formulated for such use.

Our most favorite way to clean teeth is to give our dogs raw beef knuckle or femur bones weekly. This keeps tartar at bay and helps keep their teeth sparkly clean.

There are homeopathic formulas available for bad canine breath, in the form of a liquid that you rub a few drops on their gums. Adding small amounts of pureed parsley to your dog's food is also a potent breath freshener.