Ruth

I bought a little bottle of the Petzlife oral care gel, but I haven't used it yet.

Oral Care Gel - Peppermint - PetzLife Oral Care, Dog Dental Care - PetzLife

Has anyone here used it or have any experience with it, good or bad?

Does it really help remove tartar and stains from their teeth? I've read a lot of reviews that say it works wonders, and then a few others where the dogs vomited because of it.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

Siskojan

Sisko has the salmon flavour one but he doesn't like it much. I haven't been as consistent as I should be because of having to time it around eating and taking his water away so it is can be effective. The product hasn't failed - I have! I think when I really did try hard the first 2 weeks things were getting better with the teeth. Raw bones seem to do the job quicker though.

Ruth

Thanks, Siskojan!
Are you giving them marrow or soup bones? They're supposed to be the ones that work best for this, right?
I'm trying to stay away from soup bones as knowing my dogs at least one of them is going to chip or break a tooth, and I'd rather not take my chances. X___x
They do get chicken bones (raw of course) but only occasionally lately, and now that they're eating kibble my oldest one, my mini poodle Sirius, seems to be accumulating more stuff in his teeth. :(

Lol, and I know what you mean! That 30 min wait before and after using is the main reason why I haven't even opened the bottle!

But I'll give it a try tomorrow. Hopefully.

LEUllman

I have yet to actually get any in Beau's mouth. Someone would have to hold him still, and I'm not willing to traumatize him over this. Not yet, anyway.

fjm

I have used Petzlife gel in the past very successfully - definite improvement after a few weeks, and it really did control the tartar when used regularly. Unfortunately both my current dogs hate the taste, and I am still searching for something that is as effective but palatable for them.

__________________

To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden,
where doing nothing was not boring- it was peace.

~ Milan Kundera

Ruth

Thanks, LEUllman and fjm!

fjm, when you used it, did you do it before they ate? Or would it be better afterwards?
I'm a bit worried that if he doesn't like the taste or something he might throw up his food.

Also, just to be sure, you apply it ll over the teeth (front and back) and gum line, right?
I just had never used any toothpaste or anything like that on my dogs til now.

Siskojan

I did it after Sisko ate, and I had no concerns about him vomiting, he didn't like it but he let me do it. Trouble is, when I do something to him he doesn't like, such as getting a knot out of his ear, or combing his tail, he gets praise and one of his most treasured treats and in this case he can't have the treat and stands there looking at me all pathetic. I started giving him chicken leg quarters to substitute for his evening meal every second day, but have fallen behind on that as well. Lots of people on this forum don't like marrow bones etc for fear of broken teeth and I'm not sure where I stand on that as I've known dogs all my life who gnawed on them with no trouble.

fjm

I found the best time was just before bedtime - I believe it works best if they don't eat or drink immediately after. I used a soft cloth, and just wiped it over the teeth and gums. If your dog will let you use a small toothbrush, all the better!

__________________

To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden,
where doing nothing was not boring- it was peace.

~ Milan Kundera

lunamarz_31

It works, but not to the point of wonders. If the dog has hardened plaque, it takes more than PetzLife to get rid of it. It helps loosen the hardened plaque & tartar, and works better if you use it in conjunction with teeth brushing and chewing activities.
My dog doesn't mind the taste, I use it before bed time so it has overnight to work.

CT Girl

While I have not used that product I used many different ones to try to help clean my Aussie's teeth. I found nothing worked as well as having him crew bones. I did not know of the dangers of tooth chipping with marrow bones so that was what I gave him. Fortunately I had no issues with chipped teeth. With Swizzle I am giving him raw bones and while he is only a little shy of 11 months his teeth are immaculate. What is so nice is that it is not a chore but something he loves. My brother in law has an American Eskimo he rescued that is 8 years old. His teeth were horrible and the vet suggested a vet office cleaning when the dog got into better condition. The dog was fed raw meaty bones and the vet was shocked at how clean his teeth were on the next visit a few months later. Even the built up tartar was gone. I really don't think anything can beat good old fashioned bones.