[Shandril2]

At what age do you have to start getting your dog's teeth cleaned?
My Maxwell will be 4 (yes, four!) next week. Vet just said he's starting to have some build-up of tartar.

They said he'd have to be sedated. Blah!
What age and how often is this normally done?

I never had a dog that got his teeth cleaned before!

 

[butch33611]

Sarge gets his brushed at the groomers. Better them then me.

 

[Yogi's Mom]

Our two previous shepherds never needed their teeth cleaned. They loved to chew their whole lives on Nylabones and had great looking teeth. The basset hounds on the other hand, yikes, teeth cleanings needed to be done! I think it all comes down to good genetics! I think if your dog has problem teeth they recommend doing them yearly but it is very expensive!

 

[ldpeterson]

I get my dogs and cats done every other year. Dogs one year, Cats the other, rinse and repeat. This seems to work well for them.

Annabelle gets her's done every year though because she has some "questionable" teeth that may need to be pulled someday.

I would do them every year if I only had one pet, but with four it's a tad expensive so I rotate.