@Kipawa:
Pat, is this safe long term? Any studies done or needed?
It is safe. Is it research tested… minimal with only 22 subjects... showing not that impressive results and actual increase after I think 5 weeks beginning and going up steady.
I had Arwen's teeth cleaned. I have used one container of the stuff, and I brush every single day. She still had gum issues so frankly, I doubt it hurts but I also doubt you'll find much more than personal experiences and sites rating it by users without scientific back up.
On the Petzlife, again, no research. Research was done on grapefruit extract. I used that in toothpaste probably, no joke, 15 yrs ago. It does help kill bacteria. But plaque and tartar... no. Again, won't hurt. There is some question about ingesting it daily and causing the same bacteria resistance you get from anti-bacterial soaps though, so I quit using it.
I agree with everyone, cleaning those teeth is needed. The infections they can cause are far more dangerous than the cleaning almost always, especially with her blood work holding good. And I hate to say it, but daily brushing with our dogs with teeth issues... just a terrible option but the best. It took Arwen, no exaggeration, almost 6 mos to stop fighting me (though she went from ballistic to half hearted after a couple of months). Now, almost 18 mos into it, she not only doesn't fight but actually, reluctantly, comes over instead of hides when she sees the toothbrush.
