Today, for Part 2 of the Pet Health survey, I’m taking a look at nutrition and preventative health because, really, the two go hand-in-hand.
I asked: What kinds of preventative health measures do you take for your dog(s)? (Select up to 3.)
- An annual checkup at our vet, plus additional visits if something comes up. (91%, 42 Votes)
- Healthy food, including snacks and treats. (83%, 38 Votes)
- Lots and lots of exercise. We’re in great shape! (48%, 22 Votes)
- Mental stimulation. My dog’s a veritable Einstein! (35%, 16 Votes)
- I brush my dog’s teeth regularly. (20%, 9 Votes)
Really, these answers weren’t too shocking except… 20% of you brush your dog’s teeth regularly! My jaw dropped at that one. I am seriously, honestly impressed. And here’s where I confess: I can’t brush Emmett’s teeth. Lucas, maybe a little. Cooper, we’re hoping to start down the right path with him. But Emmett? Nope. No can do. He clamps down on that toothbrush so firmly the second I head towards his mouth. Instead I use this oral rinse stuff and he chews on dental bones, but for those 20% of you: How do you do it?? Any tips or tricks? And how regularly do you brush your dog’s teeth? I know anyone who struggles with this as much as I do would LOVE to know!
I also asked: What do you primarily feed your dog(s)?
- Commercial dry kibble (54%, 25 Votes)
- A mix of dry and wet (17%, 8 Votes)
- Homecooked (11%, 5 Votes)
- BARF or raw diet (11%, 5 Votes)
- Something else entirely (7%, 3 Votes)
- Commercial wet food (0%, 0 Votes)
The first thing I noticed is that no one feeds a solely wet food diet. In a lot of the puppy stuff I’ve been looking up, it seems to be recommend for puppies, but… my guess is that it’s too cost prohibitive to continue long term. I’m also guessing (from the comments) that everyone who voted for “something else” feeds a dehydrated diet.
As far as raw or BARF diets, there was a lot of interest from commentors in moving to a raw diet… check out the super helpful comment left by Nichole on tips for making the transition.
Someone pointed out in the comments on yesterday’s post that these results indicate that the people who read dog blogs are people who take really great care of their dogs. That is so incredibly true! I wanted to pose these questions because I constantly find myself asking: Am I feeding them the right things? Are we getting enough exercise? Am I doing enough to ensure that my guys are happy and healthy?
I sort of wanted to take the temperature of pet health, and I’m incredibly impressed with the results and very thankful to everyone who took the time to answer the questions! Plus, I’m inspired to tackle some of the areas in which we fall short (New Year’s is right around the corner, after all!) like adding in more exercise and finally nailing down a tooth-brushing habit!
Are these results what you would have expected? Did they bring up any more questions for you? Or are there any pet health survey questions you wish I would have asked?
Image: Tobyotter
Amanda & the Mutts says
12•02•10 at 6:47 pmSome of the food stuff will cover the health stuff, too. I would be pretty surprised if a person who fed a (prey model) raw diet was brushing their dogs’ teeth, there is simply no need.
Regularity of going to the vet is one I find to be very dependent upon how much an owner knows how to do themselves. (I’m sure I go to the vet far less frequently than the average pet owner, but is nothing to do with neglect)
Interesting statistics. I’m bummed I missed taking the survey.
Mayzie says
12•02•10 at 7:51 pmAll these results are Most Interesting. Mom doesn’t brush our teethies either and she feels GUILTY abouts it. Even though I’m totally okay with it. I think maybe we told you that mom feeds us green tripe every day and that’s supposed to be good for lots of things, including our teeths. And she thinks she’s noticed a difference. Plus WE LUV IT!
Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie
Two Pitties in the City says
12•03•10 at 12:05 amI always thought if I got a new dog I would start right on the dog-brushing; there’s no training our dogs to like it now, but I think it is important.
Jana Rade says
12•03•10 at 5:47 amWell, getting their teeth brushed is a very unnatural act for a dog. I agree that if a dog is on barf diet and gets to gnaw on raw meaty bones brushing is likely not needed.
Jasmine cannot have raw and is on home cooked diet, which on top of the is blended into a mush because of her IBD. So with her brushing is needed.
How we do it? Firstly, Jasmine is quite an easy going dog who seems to understand when we are doing things for her benefit. That, combined with her knowing that hubby is a no-nonsense biped gives us good results. She gets her teeth brushed twice a day.
I think the key is starting slowly. We started by applying her tooth gel with fingers only. Baby steps. First just let her sniff it, lick it, check it out. Then apply a little bit where it was easiest. Little bit at the time. Then introducing to the brush, again, tiny baby steps. First just show the brush, let her investigate. Then just get it into the mouth and all done. Little bit at the time, not getting over the dog’s comfort threshold.
A note: only the outside of the teeth needs to be brushed. So the mouth doesn’t need to be open as much as you’d think. Just getting the brush under the lips to the teeth. Our only problem are front bottom teeth. Because of her vigorous tongue action it is really to get in there.
Susie Araiza says
12•04•10 at 12:17 amI have a very nervous pit mix. I have discovered that if I need to do anything to him, including brushing his teeth, I have to do that very first thing in the morning. I quickly go under his lips and brush his teeth before he is awake enough to know what is going on.