I have just acquired a 5 yr old Pomeranian. Her breath and teeth are terrible. I am taking her to the vet next week, but cleaning usually lasts only a few days.
She needs to be on a dry food instead of canned, but she will not eat it. Also, I have heard of the raw diet, but it can't be just raw meat is there veggies and rice in it also? Is it better than dry food for the dog ?
By carole from MI
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I think that you should discuss the dog's diet with the vet while she is there. "Raw" diets need to be carefully configured so your animal's health is maintained and yes, for dogs that does mean vegetables, grains and rice since they aren't strict carnivores like cats. There are some good websites for you if you google it. It's a very controversy subject because of various factors which is why it's highly recommended to discuss it with the vet....BTW, Gary Null has some excellent material on natural health care including food prep for dogs and cats.
Veterinary dental cleanings should be figured in just like our teeth, your dog needs regular teeth brushing too. They have toothpaste designed for dogs and a smaller toothbrushes for little dogs (and cats too).
Good luck.
I second what COflower said about discussing her diet with your veterinarian before embarking on a raw food or homemade dog food diet. Until you take her to the vet here is what I would do. Your dog is not going to happily switch from canned to dry dog food but she will eat it if she realizes that she doesn't have a choice. Try transitioning her by mixing some high quality dry dog food like Science diet into her canned food, do not offer her any other food or treats just fresh filtered water. Take her walks but only allow her the small amount of canned food with a little dry food mixed in.
Than slowly reduce the canned food in proportion to dry food until she is eating just dry food. The key here is consistency, she has to realize that the only food she is getting is this, dogs are opportunists and will eventually eat they just have to understand that nothing else is on the menu. Once she is eating the dry dog food make small meatballs out of fresh beef or turkey and put about half a teaspoon full of parsley in each one, this will help her breath until she can get a full workup. Consider also consulting an animal herbalist or Naturopathic Vet if the problem does not subside.
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