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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Pups Can Get Pearly Whites
for the New Year

by Carrie Boyko, CEB
© Carrie Boyko
Oliver and Tanner
Getting in the Groove of Healthy Teeth
Many dog owners tell me that brushing their dog's teeth just isn't an option for them. Either Fido hates it, the owner finds it distasteful, or it is simply too difficult to get to all the hidden spots, such as in our tiniest pups' mouths. Having experienced the latter problem with Oliver's tiny mouth, I have sought out alternatives and finally found one I like.


While at Global Pet Expo earlier this year, I discovered a multitude of gel type treatments for dogs' teeth. I saw so many different brands that had a long list of no-no's that I became a bit discouraged that I would not find one acceptable to try. Finally Tropiclean turned up with a better ingredient list--no food coloring in particular. I have a bad attitude toward that nasty stuff ever since reading where it comes from.


When I picked up the bottle, my first inclination was that it included food coloring because of its pleasant green color. Turns out that the green comes from natural ingredients in the product: chlorophyl, mint, Aloe Vera, and Green Tea. Now there's a list I can work with.


© Carrie Boyko
Oliver Licks to Spread the Gel
So how does Tropiclean Fresh Breath Clean Teeth Gel work? According to the maker, the combination of ingredients works to break down and remove tartar over time. It is placed on the dog's teeth at night, assumably so that it remains undisturbed until morning. Tropiclean recommends administering the gel 30 minutes after water consumption, and witholding water for at least 30 minutes following the application.


What should you expect? Following the application, your dog will lick his lips repeatedly. This helps to work the gel into the saliva and around the mouth, coating all the surfaces so that it can do its job.


What about brushing? While bushing the dog's teeth is not necessary, it will speed up the removal of tartar if you are able to accomplish this. I'm thinking the reason they invented this stuff is because so many owners find it difficult to brush their dog's teeth, but I suppose it could further reduce dental problems if combined with a brushing regimen.


How often should you apply the gel? TropiClean recommends daily application for about 30 days. Following this period, most dogs can reduce the frequency of use to twice a week and still find that it works well.


We're just beginning to use this gel on Oliver, whose tiny mouth is impossible to brush in the back. He does react as the packaging describes, licking repeatedly. The smell of the gel is quite pleasant to me, and surprisingly I found that by placing a few drops on his food, he suddenly became more agreeable to having the gel applied to his teeth. Wish us luck; we're hopeful to keep his tiny choppers for a long life.


Would you like to give TropiClean a try on your pup? Big or small, it doesn't really matter. I suppose you may use a bit more on a large dog, simply because of the larger mouth and more teeth. But that could be me counting Oliver's teeth and assuming incorrectly. At 6 months when Oliver was neutered (hear that high-pitched bark; yup, that's him!) the vet had to also remove several teeth that were coming in sideways due to lack of space. He described Oliver's mouth as one of the tiniest he had seen, despite Oliver's normal Papillon size; he's 10 lbs. Check out this short video clip on Tropiclean products:






Six bottles of TropiClean Fresh Breath Clean Teeth Gel are available for winners of this drawing. Three were provided by TropiClean and 3 by Petco, so thanks to both! This is a great New Years Resolution kind of thing to get going--taking care of your dog's teeth so he can hold on to them for a lifetime.


Tropiclean is available at your local Petco, who has provided this giveaway for you to try this product. You can also find the product at their online store for easy purchase with no traffic or long lines. If you're looking to learn more about Petco and their products, you may want to check them out at Facebook and follow them on Twitter.


If the Rafflecopter entry form does not appear below, just click on the title to make it reappear here:


a Rafflecopter giveaway




Full disclosure:  Petco and TropiClean each contributed 3 bottles to this giveaway, and I got an additional bottle from a Blogpaws conference sample for trial and review. I was not paid to share this information or run this giveaway. No purchase is necessary to win.This giveaway is available only to U.S. addresses. Please consult my Giveaway and Contest Rules for more information.

32 comments:



petdoginsurance said...

Thank you for an insightful and useful post. The web is a better place with you writing!
Dog sitting Boston



CRichman said...

I have to pay to have Bullet's teeth cleaned. This product would be great. Thank you for yet another great giveaway!



lennyg said...

Occasional toothbrush but biscuits too - no idea if they really work



Jessica @ YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner said...

I don't brush Chester and Gretel's teeth so we would like to try it/



Jessica @ YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner said...

My comment entry didn't ask me for an email. It's adventurejess@gmail.com



Carrie, with Tanner and Oliver said...

@Bassetmomma: It is! And it really does smell wonderfully fresh.



Dawn said...

Sounds like a great product. I don't brush my dog's teeth. But my dogs were chewers and did a good job of keeping their own teeth clean. Sephi had great teeth for a 10 year old dog. Maya was just at the vet yesterday for her annual check up and the vet says her teeth are great too. But this product sounds like it will also help with bad breath.



Anonymous said...

Schooner does not like to have his teeth brushed...went into the bathroom and got the toothbrush I use on his teeth and chewed it into pieces. I guess he told me. Skipper runs and hides. So I give them raw bones and biscuits. I gave up on brushing their teeth. TropiClean Teeth Gel sounds great!!

Sharon Gilbert - sjgilbert@aol.com



Michelle Spayde said...

What timing! I was just looking at Sarah's teeth the other day and wondering what I could do to help clean them. I've never had any noticeable success with brushing, so it's limited to being done at the groomer. I had been using Canine Caviar's small Fish Stix and they were fabulous, but I haven't been able to find them in quite awhile.



Rick said...

My daughter brushes them.



Nancy said...

Weekly brushings.



Misty said...

I brush and give them "mad scientist" cleanings ever once and a while.



katie Mitchell said...

I have brushed the cats teeth and have tried to brush Roxy's, I have not tried to brush Molly's yet. I give the dogs fresh breath biscuits and dental chews, the cats only eat dry cat food and get crunchy cat treats every now and the, I actually had bout theseone cat treats that were especially for the breath right after I git happy because she had horrible teeth and breath.



Cynthia Downer said...

I brush their teeth occasionally. Usually I give them things to chew on.



Lori Miller said...

Benny & Sadie like to work on chews and toys with bristles & grooves designed for teeth cleaning.



Anonymous said...

So, any problems with side effects you know of?



Unknown said...

we try to brush them, but sometimes that is not so easy



Trish B. said...

I occasionally brush my dogs' teeth but with nine of my own dogs and one foster, I hate to admit that I do not do it nearly enough. I also put an additive in their water. Sometimes, I get dental cookies and Greenies for them. Thank you!



christine aiello said...

I clean her teeth weekly with toothpaste and a finger toothbrush and give her dental bones.

Christine Aiello
crunchiee77@yahoo.com



Anonymous said...

I have brushed my last two dogs teeth which they both hated so this may be a great instead of option
maritzaromero@msn.com



Sara said...

sometimes I brush them but its difficult, they get bullysticks and deer antlers and ive also had pixel in for cleanings, Raster hasnt needed them.



AvroraD said...

So far I haven't done anything besides bully sticks for our puppy. I need to do more!



PupJoy said...

This sounds like one of the easiest methods to use when it comes to small dogs. I am going to go look for this stuff. First I heard of it. Thanks for sharing!



nzrd said...

I brush my dog's teeth occasionally, but he doesn't enjoy it very much.



Ashley Clark said...

with a brush and a lot of fighting



Melissa T. said...

I use Denta-Stix type products. I've brushed Magnum's teeth a few times & he doesn't appreciate it, even when I told him all the lady dogs in the neighborhood would drool over seeing him with those shiny white teeth. :) I'd like to try this gel, maybe it'll be The One so I can keep his teeth white & shiny. Also, so the lady dogs will still swoon over my big boy.



Flowerg said...

I try to brush their teeth a few times a week. I am going to try using the finger brush again. He always moves and wriggles when I brush his teeth and for a little guy he is strong.
romapup at gmail dot com



rj7777 said...

I give them treats like greenies. I have had them cleaned when they have had other procedures done when they were put to sleep. I haven't tried to clean their teeth they won't go for it . I wish I would have started when they were puppies. Rita Spratlen rjspratlen@gmail.com



CMC said...

I brush my dog's teeth now but it doesn't make him very happy.

spitfyr323 at hotmail dot com



lilyk said...

with a damp cloth



Trish B. said...

YAY! Thank you!



Michelle Spayde said...

Hi Carrie!

If you posted an update on this, I missed it. I'm very interested in hearing about your total experience with this product.

I recently purchased a spray for Sarah, but she HATES it! Unfortunately, they can't have any food or water for 30 minutes after use, so I can't "treat her" after the spray. I'm really worried about back stepping with a neurotic dog that was abused in the past.

I've also started using a water additive, but that's more for oral (gum) health and was prescribed for my Stomatitis cat that had a full mouth extraction in January. I don't think that it will do much for existing plaque.

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