This post is sponsored by TropiClean and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping to spread the word about TropiClean Dental Products. However, at YouDidWhatWithYourWiener.com, I only share information I feel is relevant to our readers and everything I say is really how I feel . TropiClean is not responsible for the content of this article.
What I don’t want his teeth to look like again
I’ve said it before and I will say it again – I don’t brush my dog’s teeth.
I know that brushing is the “gold standard” recommended by veterinarians to help avoid costly dental cleanings but I am also realistic. I do a heck of a lot, and spend a lot of money on the best food and supplements, for Chester and Gretel but know that brushing their teeth just isn’t going to happen. I mean, realistically, I have a hard enough time remembering to brush my own teeth.
Just because I don’t brush their teeth doesn’t mean I don’t care about their dental health though. I am aware that pet dental disease, left untreated, can seep bacteria into the blood stream and pose serious health problems. My goal is to keep Chester and Gretel as healthy as possible so they can stay active, and continue to climb mountains, for years to come.
For me, I need a way to help their teeth stay clean that is convenient and doesn’t involve wrestling with them to get a toothbrush in their mouth (You every try to pry open a Dachshund’s jaw? It’s like trying to open a steel trap I tell ya). I devised a natural system that included coconut oil and giving them antlers they could chew on to “brush their own teeth” but they weren’t interested in chewing them regularly.
A few of my readers mentioned TropiClean Oral Care Products during our previous discussions about keeping your dog’s breath fresh and teeth clean. This was before I tried out my little system that failed and figured out that I need to take a different approach though. The TropiClean name stuck in the back of my mind but I didn’t give it much thought.
I did a little looking around into various dental products and thought I might try a water additive. I was shocked to find that some water additives contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. The claim is that such small quantities aren’t harmful but I don’t believe that….especially for small dogs.
TropiClean products snapped back into the front of my mind when I learned I may get the opportunity to try them out and review them. For the first time, I actually looked at the products they offer and the ingredients. I was shocked again, but in a good way this time.
TropiClean has a full lineup of dental health products including a water additive, Clean Teeth and Gums Gel, and dental chews.
It turns out their products contain natural, wholesome ingredients that are sourced in the United States. TropiClean avoids using common pet allergens and toxins so they tend to be safe to use for many sensitive pets. Now THESE are commercial dental products I can get behind.
I applied for Chester and Gretel to be product testers and we were chosen so we’ll be sharing our experience with you over the next month. I really hope that this is the teeth cleaning solution I have been looking for. I’m hoping the products freshen their breath too because their kisses will knock you over! (I know, they look so sweet)
You can learn more about TropiClean Pet Products by liking them on Facebook or Twitter.
Flea says
Interesting. I’m not a dog tooth brusher either. So now that my dogs are nearly 13 years old, we’re looking at nearly 300 dollars to sedate and clean (combined, both dogs). I just don’t have that at the moment. Long story. But I’ll have to look into that for all three once this is done. Or before. Thank you!
Shelly Vanpelt says
Is the photo above a “before” photo? I am interested in your results.
Jessica Rhae says
Yes….kind of. We haven’t started using the products yet so there is no “after” to make a “before” 🙂
Delonna says
i have three doxies of my own aged
14, 3, and 1. For doggy breath, I give them each a little blob of coconut oil every morning (I use it for body lotion also ;). It really REALLY takes care of the breath and keeps their coats fabulously soft….. I try to go all natural for my crew as much as possible…..
Jessica Rhae says
I use coconut oil on their food (so it gets into their mouth) but I find they have a lot of plaque and that doesn’t help it at our house. I plan to keep using it but I like that TropiClean is designed specifically for teeth cleaning and is also all natural (although not “straight from the plant” like coconut oil).
JoGelinas says
Thanks for the post! The food I give Gretchen leaves a lot of plaque on her teeth and I need something to help with it. I give her Greenies but they don’t seem to be doing the trick. I’ll be waiting to see how TropiClean works!
Dawn says
I never thought about brushing my dogs’ teeth until I got Pierson. He is a notorious poop eater and there is something about the shape of his mouth or something else that makes him get tartar build up very easily. Maya, at age 7, has great teeth. I’ve never had to brush hers. But I have to brush Pierson’s daily. And I use Tropiclean. It is so easy to use and Pierson actually likes the taste.
I wasn’t aware that other products used xylitol. Interestingly, people say similar things about the flouride in our toothpaste and in our water system. It is toxic, but because it is in such small quantities supposedly that makes it safe… supposedly.
Melissa says
I’m excited to hear how these products work out! We do brush, but not enough. Leeloo hates it so incredibly much, and even though she’s a little chihuahua, it is impossible to really pry her jaw open and hold her still enough to get everywhere! I cannot even imagine how people with big dogs could possibly do this. She had a dental at the vet last year. We want to do that as little as possible because it is terrifying having such a small dog under anesthesia (the smaller the animal, the more difficult to get the dose exactly right). We’ve tried so many chews and things. Currently we have antlers, and even though she does like chewing them a lot, she still has a lot of build-up and stinky, stinky breath. Hope TropiClean works! I would love to try it!
Leah says
I have been wracked with guilt for not brushing my dogs teeth, despite my best intentions. I am happy to hear I’m not the only one who has not incorporated the brushing habit! I look forward to benefiting from your test case.
Jessica Rhae says
I caught a lot of flack for admitting it at first.I know from years of experience with the dog groups that I organize that I am not the only one that doesn’t brush my dog’s teeth though. So much of what you hear is just brush, brush, brush but that doesn’t help the people just aren’t going to. I want to give those people (me) some alternative options that are better than doing nothing.
Jan grzywacz says
Thank you thank you for saying you don’t brush the dogs teeth. Even though my baby is 10 YO and has had about 8 teeth removed, I still fight with him to brush his teeth. The best I do is periodically I put some paste on my finger and rub it over his teeth. And of course my vet makes me somewhat guilty for not cleaning his teeth.
I love my little doxie and hate to see him toothless. I’ve been using Nylabone advance oral care water additive with not much result. Dentistix, milkbones, dry kibble, nylabones, and elk antlers. He doesn’t really like to chew anything for very long. Thanks for letting me vent!
Ann Staub says
You know, I was going to say the exact same thing as you! That I can hardly remember to brush my own teeth, much less my dog’s lol…
Sheila vince says
I have been giving my 4small dogs a product called Plaque Off it is all natural seaweed . Sprinkled on their dinner each day it softens the plaque and then prevents it sticking to their teeth. I find it works really well. It is available on Amazon.
Jessica Rhae says
I’ve used Plaque Off for months and saw very minimal if any difference in Chester and Gretel’s teeth. It’s still something I might incorporate into a routine (because it did work a little) but it’s not a solution on it’s own for us.
sheila vince says
I did have to use more that it states to get it to work, I give them to three scoops each.
Jessica Rhae says
Maybe that would help with Chester and Gretel. I heard that kelp (which is what Plaque-off is) has a lot of iron and that it was not good to give your dogs too much iron. I never researched that though.
Ekaterini says
Hi!! I just bought this product and would like to know if it worked for you or not. I have read amazing reviews but also some crappy ones. Please let us know how you liked this product.
Jessica Rhae says
Hi. We tried this out a long time ago. I stopped using the gel pretty quick because it was too hard to get on my dog’s gums. The chews were good for helping scrape the plaque off their teeth when used regularly. I didn’t use the water additive enough to see a big difference but I know several other pet owners who have used it and had good results. Hope it works for your pup!