Dental Health

So, I've tried EVERYTHING in my power to brush Oliver's teeth with a baby tooth brush, but all my years of experience mean nothing to him and it's literally IMPOSSIBLE... he was just to the vet in October and she said, while he has a little plaque, it didn't warrent a dental cleaning (his fangs are clean now, cuz that's all I can get with the tooth brush!!!)... I can see the plaque on his back teeth though when he yawns, so I bought "Dental Fresh" liquid at petco today... you add it to their drinking water and it apparently has no flavor and removes plaque and tartar, freshens breath, and brightens teeth... it says 1 tsp per 8oz of water...

Now, first of all: has anyone used this stuff? If so, how'd it work?

Second, exactly how much is 8 oz of water?! haha, like can anyone compare it to a known amount of liquid? (Oliver has his gallon-sized water cooler, but he also frequents his water dish in the bath tub, and I'm not sure how big it is)

And third, how many oz in a gallon?! haha, I'm horrible at math and don't remember any of that stuff from grade/high school?! Man do I feel dumb!

Thanks so much... I'm hoping this works at least to an extent - dental cleanings aren't cheap and the longer I can put it off, the better (but obviously I don't want to compromise my Oliver's health!!)... I wish he was more cooperative, like the dog, about tooth brushing but I guess I can't ask anymore of him since he's ALREADY amazingly great for his baths!

I've been using it for almost a month now...the one thing it does for SURE is freshed up that kitty breath. As fas as taking the tartar away, I've only noticed a small difference, nothing huge. I think that it's more for preventative care than anything.

It's so funny, though. My dad's a dentist and his best friend is a vet, so they've been joking about how Frank will come put Leo out and then my dad will clean his teeth the next time he needs a dental

Oh, and 64 oz. in a gallon and 8 oz. is a pretty standard "small" glass of water OR, if you're using a measuring cup, 1Cup is 8 oz.

I'll be interested on how it works because Carly seems really prone to it.

As to the math question (and this is why I wish we would go metric). There are 8 oz in a cup and 16 cups to a gallon so there are 128 (8 x 16) oz in a gallon.

So update us to let us know how it works.

Hehe, thanks for the conversions... and I guess preventing and more buildup is better than doing nothing at all... he only eats dry kibble which helps a little as well... I may talk to my vet at home about a dental cleaning over Christmas break (she's a trusted friend as well and often gives me a price break...) I'll be seeing her to drop off her supply of PennState ice cream that I always bring home for her anyway (she went to PSU for undergrad ), so I'll ask her then... any other opinions about this product are definitely welcomed!! Thanks!

All of my cats have a problem with plaque. Three years ago I started buying Science Diet Dental Care and it really helps with the plaque buildup. Three of my cats that eat the Science Diet haven't had to have their teeth cleaned but the rest of them have. According to lab studies it works just as well as removing plaque as brushing a cats teeth.

Dry food actually doesn't help their teeth, for two reasons. First is that cats don't really chew their dry food (as anyone who has cleaned up kitty puke can attest ).,More importantly, though, dry food is mostly grain, just like cereal or crackers. We don't eat dry cereal to clean our teeth - we brush after we eat cereal, and for a good reason!

I've found that raw chicken necks and gizzards are really helpful for their teeth and gums. They have to work hard to chew through the cartilage and other tissues which definitely rubs some crud off their teeth. Plus they really like the treat, and it's very inexpensive.

Dry food can hava bit of effect since many "dental " diets have to be broken rather than swallowed whole and many have things in them like canberry power and sources of chorofill both can helpo with bacteria... but no they dont clean teeth ..Remember unless a lab study is double blind they cant be very accurate

Yeah, I'd love to splurge on the dental diet food, but I simply cant (and he WONT touch wet food, haha) I could try the chicken necks though - not sure if he'll take to them... haha, I've only ever used them as bait for atlantic blue crabs! It's really ok to give that to him raw?! (Sorry, I've never looked into/heard much about raw kitty diets... he wont get like salmonella?) I have watched him eat though, and contrary to most cats, he chews pretty well, haha... not like the shelter cats I'm used to that wolf things down whole! Anyway, I put the stuff in his water dishes, but I've been out at meetings on campus, so I haven't seen him drink yet... I wish he'd be better with the brushing cuz that REALLY helps my dog, but I've tried just about every technique I could think of/remember to get him to cooperate and he just wont... I can basically get to the fangs and that's it... if anyone has suggestions for that too, I'm open to ideas (haha, anything short of knockin him out, lol)... like i said, the vet's not worried about it yet but I'm trying to at least prevent more build-up at a reasonable price... thanks y'all!

Yes give the necks raw..

another option is chews from the vet .. cet is the brand around here

Originally Posted by sharky

Yes give the necks raw..

another option is chews from the vet .. cet is the brand around here

Click to expand...

Ok, I'll look into both... just out of curiosity, what's the concensus on feline greenies? I know theyre relatively new, so I'm not sure how they've gone over.... but if we're positive about them, I could give them a try too

Thanks y'all!

I've never tried the Dental fresh, but I've been using Oxyfresh in my cats drinking water for a few years & their teeth are perfect. I mix 4tsp of the Pet Oral Hygiene Solution in gallon jug of water & use it in their drinking fountains. Since they don't care for toothbrushes, I rub some of the Pet Gel on their teeth & gums a few times a week. I like their products so much, that I became a distributor last year. Here's a link if you'd like more info, Oxyfresh ... just click on "Pet Care".

Originally Posted by BuzbyJLC10

Ok, I'll look into both... just out of curiosity, what's the concensus on feline greenies? I know theyre relatively new, so I'm not sure how they've gone over.... but if we're positive about them, I could give them a try too

Thanks y'all!

Click to expand...

I treied them the ingrediant wise they arent great and one of my girls is allergic to the..

Originally Posted by sharky

Dry food can hava bit of effect since many "dental " diets have to be broken rather than swallowed whole and many have things in them like canberry power and sources of chorofill both can helpo with bacteria... but no they dont clean teeth ..Remember unless a lab study is double blind they cant be very accurate

Click to expand...

According to a vet I asked, Science Diet Oral Care does help remove Plaque from teeth. I don't know what a double blind lab study is but I know the Oral Care works on my cats teeth and that's all I care about.

Originally Posted by cagnes

I've never tried the Dental fresh, but I've been using Oxyfresh in my cats drinking water for a few years & their teeth are perfect. I mix 4tsp of the Pet Oral Hygiene Solution in gallon jug of water & use it in their drinking fountains. Since they don't care for toothbrushes, I rub some of the Pet Gel on their teeth & gums a few times a week. I like their products so much, that I became a distributor last year. Here's a link if you'd like more info, Oxyfresh ... just click on "Pet Care".

Click to expand...

I might try this... I like that you need less per gallon than of the dental fresh... out of curiosity, how much is shipping from that site?

Also, have any of you that used any dental products that go in your cat's water had problems with them not drinking it? I know it has no flavor and I don't detect a smell, but I'm just curious... I havent seen Ollie drink yet, but I don't usually get to see him drink cuz I'm out on campus a lot, haha...

Originally Posted by BuzbyJLC10

I might try this... I like that you need less per gallon than of the dental fresh... out of curiosity, how much is shipping from that site?

Also, have any of you that used any dental products that go in your cat's water had problems with them not drinking it? I know it has no flavor and I don't detect a smell, but I'm just curious... I havent seen Ollie drink yet, but I don't usually get to see him drink cuz I'm out on campus a lot, haha...

Click to expand...

I guess it depends on what you're ordering & where it's going to. Delivery to Louisiana for a 16oz Oral Hygiene Solution & a 4oz Pet Gel is $6.00 UPS or $4.00 US Priority mail.
My cats drink it just the same as plain water.

Ok, I might try it... probably after the holidays though, or whenever the dental fresh runs out... I take it it's only available on the web site and not in stores? Thanks!!

Originally Posted by BuzbyJLC10

Ok, I might try it... probably after the holidays though, or whenever the dental fresh runs out... I take it it's only available on the web site and not in stores? Thanks!!

Click to expand...

No, it's not available in stores, but many vets are distributors & sell it in their offices. I've also seen the pet products for sale at cat shows, you can check that out if they have any in your area.
A lot dentists also sell the people dental products in their offices.
If you do decide to place an order for Oxyfresh, I'd really appreciate if you would order thtough my link... www.AllHealthyPets.com .

Originally Posted by cagnes

No, it's not available in stores, but many vets are distributors & sell it in their offices. I've also seen the pet products for sale at cat shows, you can check that out if they have any in your area.
A lot dentists also sell the people dental products in their offices.
If you do decide to place an order for Oxyfresh, I'd really appreciate if you would order thtough my link... www.AllHealthyPets.com .

Click to expand...

Always glad to help out another member, so if/when I decide to purchase, I will definitely order from your link!! I plan to ask my vet at home (only cuz she's a trusted friend, so I value her opinion a little more than my vet here) about his dental health and see what she has to say... thanks again, and any more input is more than welcome!