Hi. Something happened the other day with my nanny. First, let me tell you she is an excellent nanny and has been with my family for two and a half years.She loves our two daughters and it is apparent by the excellent care shown to them by her. I have absolutely no complaints but am troubled by the incident of the other day.
She's become an integral part of our family and loves our jack russel terrier and he her. It's part of her duties to bathe the dog weekly and she loves to do it. When I came home early the other day
she was in the midst of grooming our dog and he was wearing a muzzel. Our dog is the most laid back, non aggressive dog imaginable so I was puzzeled as to why the muzzle and asked her what was going on. Well, it seems as if she puts tooth whitening strips on him each time she grooms him and muzzles him for thirty minutes after in order to keep them on. I didn't know what to say. His teeth are always pearly white and his breath is never bad because she also brushes his teeth. If this is animal cruelty, I need to stop it, I know. Please let me know what I need to do if anything. I did tell her that I wasn't sure she should continue with the tooth whitening treatment and would let her know. I really do enjoy having such a well-groomed animal.
Update: Monday, May 31, 2010
I am the employer of the nanny who has been whitening my dog's teeth. I want to thank your readers for their mostly curteous advice and wanted to give you an update. I've advised my nanny that she is not to do that again and that she needs only groom our dog once a month. I also gave her a $55 a month raise, just because. Thanks to all.
31 comments:
You're a freaking nut. You make your nanny care for your pooch and then you complain?
Get a life. Like, seriously. Your rant makes me want to puke.
Your poor nanny. And your poor dog.
Poor nanny? #1: the nanny is a stupid ass for using that shit on your dogs teeth. They weren't made for dogs! duh! And #2: you are a stupid ass for allowing it!
The best groomed dog on the block? Lady, you are a complete nutcase!
BUMBOCLOT!!!
I don't think there is anything wrong with tooth whitening... it sounds like your nanny was going above and beyond by doing it, assuming you would be thrilled at her efforts. I would never agree to these responsibilities so you are truly blessed!
If you do decide not to continue with the teeth whitening be very kind in your words of asking her not to do it - sounds like she treats your dog with the utmost care.
First, you're very lucky to have a nanny that loves to take such care of yor dog. Second, if you don't want her to whiten his teeth (which sounds freakish to me!), just tell her you'd rather she not do that anymore.
I hope you are paying your nanny well because I do not think as your nanny she is obligated to bathe your doggie, but if you both agreed to it that is your own decisions.
I do not know if it is dangerous, I would maybe discuss it w/your vet and see. It seems kinda weird to me to put whitening strips on a dog to me however. I do not think people (or other dogs for that matter) are so vain that they care what color a dogs teeth are. As long as they are functional, who really cares?
I think it's funny you said his teeth are always pearly white. Well, if she's whitening them, then of course they are! You think dog's teeth are naturally that white?
Wow, you are lucky! And I hope your Nanny is lucky enough herself to get paid by you for her extra service of grooming the dog!
But PLEASE make her stop using whitening strips on your dog! Those things are not made for dogs.
Out of curiosity: What the heck was she thinking???
By the way. Are you SURE she is not using those strips on your KIDS???????????? You better make sure though.
Teeth whitening strips are only supposed to be used for a very short period of time, otherwise they erode your teeth. I would assume it would be the same for dogs
Teeth whitening is strictly for show, there is no health benefit from whitening teeth. Brushing teeth is wonderful but making them whiter does not help your health whatsoever
People need to whiten their teeth for a variety of reasons. Drinking dark beverages like soda, grape juice, tea, wine or smoking. I would hope your dog hasn't taken up smoking or you have a bigger problem at hand than just blinding white teeth on a dog.
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Tell her thank you but it isn't good for dogs.
Again..
HAHAHAHAHAHA
Is my calendar wrong? Is it April 1st?
Not to mention the product on the strips can ulcerate any gum tissue it comes in contact with for too long. When humans do theirs, they can feel if the strip is riding a bit too high/low in a spot and correct it. The dog can't. So it may be causing damage, which can range from mildly irritating up to very painful, for your pup. I'd wager a hefty sum that if you ask your vet, you will be told to stop the whitening strips immediately.
Ok, I don't know if this is a joke post or not, but I asked my husband (a vet) about it. Of course he isn't an expert on teeth whitening strips so he didn't know the active ingredient or if they were harmful to a dogs teeth. But he was concerned about them being a choking hazard to your dog.
I am a dog groomer who twilights as a nanny. While it's nice of her to bathe your dog, she needs to know what she is doing. Dogs do not need to be bathed as often as humans. In fact you can over bathe them and cause some very serious problems. Ideally your pup should be getting a bath once every 2-3 months and wiped down with dog wipes in between. At most your dog should not be bathed more than once a month.
The teeth whitening is disturbing on so many different levels. Most importantly it needs to end now. Those chemicals are unnecessary, harmful, painful and quite possibly deadly. Besides the chemical issue, a muzzle is not designed to be worn for extended amounts of time. Dogs also tend to stress (sometimes silently) when muzzled which can cause increased blood pressure, emotional trauma, and once again possible deadly complications.
I know bathing a dog seems like a simple job, but there is more to it. Ease your stress, cut the nanny and dog a break, and pay a professional to take care of your dog.
I agree with STL Groom, as I used to be a dog groomer. Bathe the dog once a month or once every couple months, but do NOT put teeth whitener on his/her teeth. It is dangerous and could cause illness.
Also, muzzling a harmless dog could make the dog turn mean.
From Wiki:
"Crest Whitestrips contain Water, Glycerin, Hydrogen Peroxide Carbomer 956, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Saccharin."
No doubt some of these ingredients can be irritating to downright harmful to a pet.
I had a fleeting thought, wondering if people are really this stupid, then I realized that this site exists for a reason. So the answer is yes, sadly, they can!
As an avid animal lover, I now feel very strongly after reading some of the posts on here. Choking hazard makes me scared. And the muzzle thing! Please do the right thing and stop right now!! Again, as long as the teeth are functional...then that is what is most important!!!!
I can't stop laughing...this is the funniest post I think I've ever read on this site. LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!
I take this kind of thing very seriously. On one hand I commend the young nanny, an obvious animal lover, for going to such lengths to please her employer and that she lavishes such love and attention on the family pet.
However, I think a simple tooth brushing should be enough for the dog. I think she's gone a bit too far. Just my opinion.
It is actually fine. I would ask her not to use it for 30 minutes though. She can reduce that time down to 10 minutes. They usually do have bleach on them and for the size of a jack russel it should be minimized. A vet may shy away from this. But it is not going to hurt him any as long as she reduces the amount he wears them. Just also be certain she thoroughly rinses his mouth after. It may cause a sore throat.
You love those pearly whites on you dog while you nanny is slowly poisoning it to death! Those things are not meant for dogs!
There is a reason many products boast (rightfully so): "Not tested on animals!" It can be cruel, deadly (and unnecessary) to use human products (and doses) on our animal counterparts. YES, whitening strips can be harmful to dogs.
A dog's body reacts differently to chemicals than that of a human (which is why you can munch down on a chocolate bar and only feel guilt) while your dog could end up dead! A dog unlike a person does not realize that while the product is in his or her mouth they should not be licking it, swallowing it, or ingesting the strip it's self. Just as tooth paste has warnings against swallowing (due to chemical ingredients) so do whiteners and other mouth products.
My cousin is a vet and did personally deal with the family of a little girl who whitened her dogs teeth repeatedly - he DID end up in the vet from both gum complications (VERY painful) and severe stomach damage. Not only did they leave with a costly vet bill, but a dog who was once previously perfectly healthy now has to suffer through entirely preventable pain.
I realize your nanny is only attempting to please you, but this needs to STOP now. It is unnecessary, and potentially very harmful. I would cut the grooming down to once a month - teeth brushing is okay, but not whitening, and she must thoroughly rinse the dogs teeth after being brushed. In fact, just as a two year old child (or younger) should be assisted as to not swallow tooth paste so should a dog. If your nanny is unable to ensure your dog is not swallowing the paste, your safest plan of action is to have her brush your dogs teeth with PLAIN water instead. It will still clean his teeth, without causing potential illness or stomach damage. Teeth cleaning on a canine is also usually only necessary every 6 months to a year. No need to overdue it and cause unwarranted stress. The muzzling should also cease. I'm sure your nanny's last desire is to harm your dog, educate her, and ensure this behavior is no longer repeated.
P.S: You can clean more often when NO chemicals are used during brushing (ie: SOLEY plain water is used with the tooth brush). Your best bet is to use bones, and denta style sticks and treats between cleanings, and stick with water rather than products intended solely for human use.
I nannied for a family who got their dog's teeth professionally whitened! And it wasn't a show dog or anything! Maybe that family was crazy, but don't think too oddly of your nanny! Perhaps a previous family had expected this of her?
I think everyone is making a big deal here. It's only a dog.
I am an animal lover and work with rescue groups and this disgusts me. Not only can whitening strips be very painful (as anyone who has sensitive teeth and has used them before knows) this is most definitely a choking hazard! If the dog licks at them, or even if they simply slide off and into his throat, he has NO way of getting it out if he's muzzled! And that is a very likely possibility. And muzzling a dog should only be done when absolutely necessary. It can scare dogs and give them anxiety, sometimes even causing panic attacks (this happens to my dog). At worst, it can actually block their breathing and make it very difficult to properly breathe, even without panicking. Lastly, you are bathing your dog too often! Like people, their skin becomes very dry if they are washed too often, and can actually lead to dandruff and many other skin/coat issues if they are bathed too often. Just like our hair, a little natural oil is a good thing. My vet told me not to wash my dog more than once a month, and even then as needed.
Do your dog and your nanny a favor and hire a professional groomer!!!
Gosh some things never change! This reminds me of some of the kooks I used to read about when I was a regular poster on here! Good for a laugh!
(Poor dog, though)
What's wrong with a Milkbone? I'll tell you what's wrong with a Milkbone. They are made in China. Now if you recall, China managed to kill a bunch of American pets via their tainted dog food and dog treats several years ago and as a result of this, I will feed my dogs nothing from China. NOTHING. Look for the "made in the U.S.A." labels. Save your pets.
http://www.wgrz.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=52474
Yeah milkbones are indeed made in the USA not china as some poor misguided soul thinks
yeppers,
Milkbones are made in the U.S. with all Chinese ingredients.
Barbecue the dog and make a necklace from the teeth.
Shoot OP, if it bugs you, just ask her not to do it anymore.
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