BigGameHoundsmen.com

Too much time on my hands this time of year following a few topics on Feeding hounds. I am curious if anyone does anything specific to address hounds dental health I have seen a lot of replies Pro and Con about watering down a hounds food . What is your take on this subject . I do on a regular basis give them dog biskets and once a month pick up a large ham bone for them to naw on . Not everyday but depending on what WE are eating that week I always mix in left-over meat scrapes at least once or twice per week . I have not noticed any problems but the last 2 Vet visits I forgot to ask .

I have those big Kong balls... all but one of the hounds spend hours chewing on them.. I noticed my 8 yrs old's teeth now looking better (gums too) then the much younger dog who won't chew on them.. I know the vet thought it was a good idea.. Figured it wouldn't hurt..

You have to get the super tough ones (black vs red) for extra large dogs.. The regular ones for large dogs don't last more then a week

Raw meat with bones. JTG

Melanie: Where do you get these KONG balls

My local feed store has them.. Any pet store carries them.. We aren't allowed in the woods spring/summer and it really helps keep boredom down with the dogs too...

The sugars in the table scraps are really hard on the dogs teeth, but I also throw some in occasionally. I give mine raw bones from the butcher shop, but it can get expensive. I have read a few articles about the "bloat" or rolling of the stomach associated with watering down the food. Just my opinion.
Troy

I think this might be what she is talking about.



http://www.petmountain.com/show_product/11442-105307

I discovered Ozzy broke a lower canine tooth off feeding him a lion leg. I didn't think lions had that hard of bones. Then again Ozzy will decimate bones not just chew on them. Might need to get the tooth pulled cause it is jagged and vet said it can be susceptible to getting a cavity.

Deer leg bones. Deer processers will be gland to give them to you for free. Raw chicken is also good.
Several years ago a dog show judge move next to me. I looked at her dogs teeth and they where tooth paste white. I asked her how she did it and she told me she feeds her dog nothing but raw meat.
There is lots of information on the subject. JTG

I was always told NOT to feed RAW chicken and chicken bones to hounds . Beef was OK

I do however give them Cooked Chicken and Cooked turkey with out the bones

Bob, sounds like you are on the right track or your vet probably would have mentioned it.

Years ago 2 of my dogs developed gum disease and it was caused by tartar build-up. Ever since then I have kept close watch on my dogs teeth and gums. Part of my regiment is to give each dog a large Milkbone dog biscuit after they finish their feed.
I tried giving them each a $7.00 beef shank bone, but a couple of them shattered the bone and the sharp bone fragments could have been hazardous so I quit providing them. Knuckle bones would be great if you can find a supplier.

Along with the little bit of help Milkbone biscuits do, I scrape the tartar off each dogs teeth from time to time. The edge of a dime will work, but most times I use a small jackknife blade, a real small screwdriver, or a dental tool. My dogs are used to it and will hold for me to clean a couple teeth.

Rich: Good Points

I bought a dog tooth brush and tooth paste from a pet store. my big old male black and tan just sitts there and lets me do it, and seems to enjoy it alot. my female hates it though. i get the 14 pound box of milk bones from sams club and they seem to help.

Mine have the black Kongs, and the Hurcules DentaBones. I also give them raw beef knuckles. I occasionally buy greenies or pizzles.

But I just had my two older dogs put under anesth and did an ultrasonic scaling and polishing. My 4 year old busted off one of her Canines as a young dog. I had to have a Root Canal done on that. Of course the crown on it has since fallen out, but the filling remains intact. I just keep an eye on her, so it doesn't abcess. She can't have the bones and stuff, and just naturally has bad teeth, Dr. says its the way she eats that causes more build up, and the fact that she won't/doesn't play with toys. My other 6 year old dog had an abscessed premolar that I had removed, and her teeth actually looked better than my younger female. But working at a Vet I see first hand what a difference keeping a dogs mouth in shape can have. It literally will ADD years to a dogs life.

I give my dog elk legs and deer legs, dunno if it helps but he sure loves um