i got a indoor dog?

Question

i just got a lab mix and i keep her in the house how often should i take her a bath and can i use regular tooth paste to brush her teeth or do i just leave her teeth alone i just want to brush them cause her breath smells i know they sell biscuts and stuff for there teeth but can i just brush them.

Answer 1

I don't expect this to be picked as a best answer, but, I have to weigh in on the "indoor dog" comments you are getting. I have three indoor dogs; all Great Danes!

Many dogs are indoor dogs because they are not equipped to be outdoor dogs. In the winter, short haired dogs, like mine, could easily freeze to death because they lack the thick fur necessary to keep them warm enough. They could survive the cold only to lose their ears or other parts that lack sufficient fur to prevent frostbite. Dogs do not sweat, so in hot summers many could suffer heat strokes and die. The only humane thing to do if you live in a place that is not like paradise in terms of temperature, humidity, and atmosphere, is to keep your dogs in a climate controlled atmosphere.

They get plenty of time outside every day, but they are not left outside all of the time.

One of my dogs also has seasonal allergies to the air outside. I limit his time outside during those times and give him daily doses of Benadryl to treat his symptoms.

I, normally, bathe my dogs (outside) once a month during warm months and use dry shampoo or wipes (inside) during the cold months.

While I have seen beef flavored doggie toothpaste, I have never used it. I give my dogs huge raw bones, large rawhide chews, dried pig ears, and have two large rubber fire hydrant chew toys and a Kong that I can fill with treats to encourage chewing for them to clean their own teeth. I have never noticed any especially bad breath in any of them.

Answer 2

Yes, brush her teeth using special dog toothpaste. Mine like the peanut butter flavor. Probably once week is enough. Bathing depends on how she lives. If she's inside dog, sleeps in bed with you, goes to the park, runs in the woods, etc. all determine how often. As stated already, if she's basically an inside dog, she won't get dirty and bathing every 2-3 mos would be sufficient. However, if she's allowed to run & play where she gets dirty, or she has a coat that gets smelly, then more often - maybe once a month unless she stinks. Always use a doggy shampoo. My small dog sleeps with me, so I want to make sure she's clean, smells good & doesn't have fleas!

Grooming time can be a special "bonding" time, so you might want to brush/comb her & brush teeth once a week with a bath monthly or bi-monthly. Give her a special treat and lots of praise when she's done.

Answer 3

No you can not use human tooth paste!!

Have the Vet. check the teeth . They maybe bad which will cause the dog to have bad breath.

Do not give your dog a bath very often. I wouldn't give my dog a bath anymore than once every 4-6 months unless it would get into something outside where then you would have to. It will dry the skin out. Then you can run into other problems. Be sure and use dog soap when you bathe your dog.
There are dry products you can buy to apply to the dog to make them smell better.
Good Luck

Answer 4

is there a such a thing as an "indoor" dog? I hope you're taking her out every day, every creature needs to see the sun. Please make time for that, she will be greatful.

And about breath,,, well dogs breath depends on what theyre eating (just like human), so there doesnt have to be a problem with teeth, it can actually be problem in her stomach.

Dogs are not supposed to smell heavenly fresh either, they have their natural smell...but I dont know how sensitive you are.

Why not look on some sites about dogs especially made for this purpose?

If her breath is much worse than other dogs maybe you should check with a vet? Just to be on the safe side.

Good luck and take care

Answer 5

With the right dog shampoo dogs can be bathed once a week or as often as need. Mine go to the dog park and get a full bath once a week and toweled down with a wet towel after the park. ONLY use dog toothpaste for dogs, people toothpaste is not to be swallowed and can make a dog very sick. If her teeth are dirty the vet will prob have to do a professional cleaning first then you can keep her smile bright with regular brushing.

Answer 6

You can brush her teeth (and you should), but use a special toothpaste for dogs. She'll probably swallow it, and some of the stuff in human toothpaste wouldn't be good for her. Give her a bath only when she gets dirty----most dogs, expecially short-haired dogs, don't need to be bathed very often if they don't go out and get into mud, dirt and other nasty stuff. They get dry skin if you give them too many baths. (3 or 4 times a year is plenty unless she gets into a mess.)

Answer 7

Unless a dog stinks, you shouldn't bath them until /unless it's necessary. You wash off the natural oils and their skin and coat has no protection. It comes back, but the more you bath them, the harder it is on them.
Don't use regular toothpaste, it's poison for dogs.. Read the tube, kids shouldn't even use it til they are a certain age, and don't swallow it! You can get dog toothpaste if you need to brush them.
You can get dog biscuits that clean their teeth, watch out for anything that might be on the recall list or contain wheat or wheat gluten...
Raw fresh carrots work wonderful for cleaning the teeth, as to frozen green beans, anything natural fresh and crunchy.

If she has bad breath, check what you are feeding her. Avoid Beneful, Pedigree, Kibbles N Bits, Ol Roy, ALL Purina Products, Iams, Eukanuba, and Hills Science Diet, and anything that might be on the recall list.

Answer 8

It would be really good for your dog's teeth if you brushed them, but you need to use toothpaste made for dogs. Also get yourself a small, soft toothbrush and brush very gently. It takes a dog a while to get used to getting their teeth brushed, but she'll catch on.

As for bathing, bathing a dog takes the oils out of their skin and dries out their skin and coat terribly. A dog should only be bathed as often as absolutely necessary - no oftener than once a month. It's also good for your dog to give her about 1 tablespoon of veg. oil on her food daily, or what's even better, is a salmon oil capsule every day.

Answer 9

The pet store recomends you bathe your dog once a month, but I bathe my dog every 2 weeks that works good for me and the dog.
Go to the pet store and buy doggie tooth paste, don't use people tooth paste on the dog. Or you can take your dog to the vet and have its teeth cleaned.

Answer 10

They sell toothpaste/toothbrushes formulated specifically for dogs. Look into those.

Your dog will not need a bath anymore than once a month, most likely. Try not to bathe her more often than that, because bathes can end up drying out her skin, if you do them too often.