One of the hardest things to do, especially if you are on your way to holistic healing, is to anesthetize your dog. It is hard enough if you need to decide to have surgery performed on your dog, but even harder for something as secondary as teeth cleaning. Can't the vet do this with your pup aware and awake? Maybe not the vet, but you sure can give it a try!
I clean all my dogs teeth, with a gauze cloth, and a dental scrap pick I picked up online. It is a great way to bond with your dog, and to continue to be a holistic pets guru! I know that along the way, I may need to bite the bullet, and have the vet do some cleaning, if I don't keep it up.
Here are some motivators to give you some strength to try this yourself. Dogs are more likely to get infections, and heart disease if they don't have clean teeth. When you look at older dogs who are healthy and well, they usually have great teeth. Joints are less likely to have inflammation if there is less bacteria and infection in the body. It makes perfect sense!
In order for you to become a holistic dentist, be sure to go ahead and pick a time with your dog that is a calm and easy time for you both. Your first time, you are going to only mess with their mouth only for 5 minutes. It really helps to have them exercised, and feed earlier, as they will be more quiet and calm at these times.
Get your dental tools ready-square gauze, washcloths, dental scraper, a small soft toothbrush, and some chicken flavored dog tooth paste. Then, let the dog rest on the floor, and lay the dog down on its side, pulling the head of your pet into your lap. Pet your dog, and let them know you really love them. It makes a huge difference!
Then, pull back their lips, and do not let any resistance interfere with your calm demeanor. You are the leader in this pack, and let them resist, but calmly insist that they stop this resistance, with a strong hold, and a quiet but firm business like attitude.
Once you are past this struggle, your dog will let you dry a tooth. Grab the washcloth, wiping it down, and then the gauze, and then scrap with the metal tool, from the base of the tooth, to the tip.
You will see a lot of tartar if you have not been feeding raw bones at least once a week, and are feeding inappropriate dog/people food. Work on this side of the mouth for as long as you feel calm, and let the experience be very powerful and last only 5 minutes for the cleaning. Note: it may take you awhile to calm your dog down the first time, but after you insist and are done with the 5 minutes, you are teaching a valuable lesson for your pack.
Now, even though you have not cleaned all teeth, do not worry. Celebrate the 5 minutes of cleaning with a doggie tooth brush cleaning and a little doggie toothpaste. They love it!
Repeat this process every day, at the same energy level, until you have a clean mouth. If you find there are larger cavities in teeth, you are going to have to stop pursuing holistic medicine, and find time to schedule a cleaning. The vet may need to extract some teeth if this is the case, and you should find some comfort in knowing you will be able to possibly never have to anesthetize your dog again for teeth cleaning!
This is a great way to save money, to find a holistic approach in medicine for your dog, and to bond with your best friend with a little doggie tender loving care!
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