TERRIFIC TEEFS

Dental health is one of the most overlooked aspects of canine care, yet it is one of the most important. Poor dental hygiene can lead to plaque build-up, gum disease, tooth decay and infections that can spread bacteria to the heart, kidneys and liver. In bull terriers, maintaining healthy teeth and gums is especially important as they age.

The good news is that keeping your bully’s teeth clean doesn’t have to be a chore. We use a combination of five methods to maintain Lulu’s dental health naturally, and we haven’t needed a professional dental cleaning in years.

1. GREEN APPLE SLICES

Green apples are a wonderful natural dental aid for dogs. They contain malic acid, which is a natural astringent that helps prevent plaque from adhering to the tooth surface. The crunchy texture also provides a gentle abrasive action that helps scrub teeth as your dog chews. We give Lulu a few slices of green apple several times a week as a healthy, teeth-cleaning snack. Always remove the core and seeds before feeding, as apple seeds contain small amounts of cyanide compounds.

2. BEEF EARS

Beef ears are an excellent natural chew for plaque removal. They are tough enough to require sustained chewing, which mechanically scrapes plaque and tartar from the teeth, but not so hard that they risk cracking or damaging teeth (unlike weight-bearing bones or antlers). The cartilage in beef ears is also a natural source of chondroitin, which supports joint health as a bonus. Look for single-ingredient, air-dried or dehydrated beef ears with no added chemicals, flavourings or preservatives.

3. CHICKEN NECKS

Raw chicken necks provide excellent dental exercise. The soft, raw bones act as a natural toothbrush as your dog crunches through them, and the cartilage and connective tissue help floss between teeth. We give Lulu raw chicken necks once weekly as part of her dental care routine. It is important to always feed chicken necks raw, never cooked – cooked bones can splinter and pose a serious choking and perforation risk. Raw bones are soft, pliable and safe for most dogs to consume. Always supervise your dog while they are eating raw bones.

4. BRUSHING

Regular brushing is the gold standard of dental care. We brush Lulu’s teeth 3–4 times weekly using a soft-bristled dog toothbrush and bacon-flavoured enzymatic toothpaste – the bacon flavour makes the process much more enjoyable for Lulu (and therefore much easier for us). Enzymatic toothpastes continue to work after brushing, helping to break down plaque and freshen breath. We also occasionally use virgin coconut oil in place of toothpaste – its antimicrobial properties help fight bacteria in the mouth, and most dogs love the taste. Apply a small amount to the toothbrush and brush as normal, paying particular attention to the gum line and the back molars where plaque tends to accumulate.

5. DENTA-SURE DENTAL SPRAY

Denta-Sure is a natural dental spray that we use as a complement to brushing. It contains three active natural ingredients:

• Grapefruit Seed Extract – a powerful natural antimicrobial that helps fight bacteria responsible for plaque formation and gum disease
• Propolis – a natural resinous substance produced by bees, with strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that support gum health
• Stevia – a natural plant-based sweetener that makes the spray palatable while also inhibiting bacterial growth in the mouth

Simply spray directly onto your dog’s teeth and gums daily, or as needed between brushings. The spray is gentle, easy to apply and most dogs tolerate it well. It is particularly useful on the days between brushing sessions to maintain oral hygiene.

A combination of these five approaches provides comprehensive dental care that keeps your bully’s teeth clean, gums healthy and breath fresh – all without the stress and expense of frequent professional dental procedures under anaesthesia.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lix North | Artist, Illustrator, Photographer. Owned by The Lulu Bully.

I grew up on a farm in rural New Zealand. Forever fond of my gumboots and jumping in muddy puddles, my childhood best friends were the farm working dogs (huntaways, bearded and border collies) and the family spaniels. Animals have always been an intrinsic part of my life, I spent a lot of my youth caring for farm and domestic animals, hand rearing orphaned animals and watching and assisting farm hands and vets. One of my earliest memories is the magic and awe I felt as a toddler watching my grandmother help a litter of puppies into the world. As legend has it, my first word was ‘woof’.

As an artist and photographer I seek the imperfections that make each of us, each fleeting moment, and the world around us, utterly unique. I strive to capture our points of difference, our foibles and eccentricities, our daydreams and delusions, our innate temporality - I believe that in the juxtaposition of wonderful strangeness lies an exquisite, honest beauty far greater than that built on pure symmetry, calculable balance or flawlessness. Who better as my muse than a Bull Terrier - the very embodiment of wonderful strangeness.

For fine art by Lix North visit www.lixnorth.com. For illustration, graphic art and photography visit www.lixcreative.com

Disclaimer: The content on lulubully.com is a fluid, living collection of notes, personal thoughts and experiences. I regularly edit tweak and update these blog pages as my ideas evolve. All opinions are my own and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, nor prevent any disease. Thoughts expressed, information provided and products mentioned are not necessarily approved by any governing body or health professional. I am not a qualified medical, veterinarian or naturopathic practitioner, my thoughts and experiences are offered purely as a layperson. Discretion, common sense and personal responsibility should be employed when applying any of the ideas expressed here to your own personal situation.