Should I stop using PetzLife?

[LilDiddyBear]

I have the PetzLife gell and whenever I give it to Diddy he sneezes and rubs his nose with his paw. Should I stop giving it to him? If so, what else could I use?

[AMD]

I get a similar reaction, but without sneezing. To me, they just don't like it and go rubbing their noses all over. I wouldn't stop using it because of the great results.

How long have you been using Petzlife?

[MyTrixie143]

Brownie does the same thing but it is because he just doesn't like it.

[YorkieChick1]

None of mine like it either!!

[Ellie May]

I would stop using it only because after water, the first ingredient is grain alcohol. It has now been confirmed by a board certified animal dentist (see TLC's post in the emergency forum) that this ingredient is way too high on the list and it is not healthy.

[TeresaM]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I would stop using it only because after water, the first ingredient is grain alcohol. It has now been confirmed by a board certified animal dentist (see TLC's post in the emergency forum) that this ingredient is way too high on the list and it is not healthy.

Wow, I was just getting ready to order some because of everyones rave reviews. What can we use to clean their teeth? I've tried dog toothpaste from the pet stores, but really don't think it's doing the job well.

[Yorkieluv]

I absolutely agree with Crystal...I used to use this but have completely stopped because of the grain alcohol...It's second on their ingredient list and the smell of alcohol is overwhelming when you smell it...
Even in small amounts, grain alcohol can be harmful...You have to remember that these guys are pretty small, so a pea size amount of grain alcohol is alot for them.

What is Grain Alcohol?

"Grain alcohol is a form of pure alcohol which has been produced by fermenting and distilling grain. It is also known as ethyl alcohol or ethanol...Because grain alcohol is extremely potent, it should not be consumed straight...In some regions, commercial sale of grain alcohol is actually banned due to health concerns...Technically, ethyl alcohol is toxic, as most people who have consumed it are aware. In moderate amounts, ethyl alcohol can have interesting effects on brain and motor function; many people enjoy these effects and they deliberately cultivate them through the ingestion of ethanol. However, this toxicity also means that grain alcohol can be very dangerous, since it can be very deceptive. It is easy to cause permanent brain or liver damage with grain alcohol, and it is also a skin irritant which can cause discomfort when swallowed."

[Nancy1999]

I personally think some of you are over reacting, the amount of Petzlife used is less then 1/8 of a teaspoon, and the whole thing isn't even alcohol, it's mixed with water for one thing, and this would greatly reduce the amount of alcohol, since it's listed as the number one ingredient, not alcohol. For so long people use to laugh and give their dogs mixed drinks and beer, and I'm so glad this practice has stopped, but you use a tiny amount of Petzlife, and it's not even necessary every day, unless your dog has already accumulated lots of tartar. Yorkies have been shown to be at high risk for tartar, and anything you can do to help eliminate this will keep your yorkie healthy longer. Everything we do has risks, but going under anesthesia for a teeth cleaning is very risky, but many are willing to do this if it helps their Yorkies teeth. Petzlife products claim to soften tartar, you still have to brush it away, and this might eliminate the need for a professional teeth cleaning. I've read about so many threads about two and three year old yorkies loosing their teeth to dental disease, and Joey's teeth at age two are pure white, no tartar spots whatever. I definitely will be using this product, even though he doesn't like it. Alcohol has many good uses, it's a wonderful preservative, as well as being an effective germ killer.

[jeanietoo]

An enzymatic toothpaste is good and comes in flavors such as beef that dog like but it is the brushing that does the most good even without toothpaste.

[Yorkieluv]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I personally think some of you are over reacting, the amount of Petzlife used is less then 1/8 of a teaspoon, and the whole thing isn't even alcohol, it's mixed with water for one thing, and this would greatly reduce the amount of alcohol, since it's listed as the number one ingredient, not alcohol. For so long people use to laugh and give their dogs mixed drinks and beer, and I'm so glad this practice has stopped, but you use a tiny amount of Petzlife, and it's not even necessary every day, unless your dog has already accumulated lots of tartar. Yorkies have been shown to be at high risk for tartar, and anything you can do to help eliminate this will keep your yorkie healthy longer. Everything we do has risks, but going under anesthesia for a teeth cleaning is very risky, but many are willing to do this if it helps their Yorkies teeth. Petzlife products claim to soften tartar, you still have to brush it away, and this might eliminate the need for a professional teeth cleaning. I've read about so many threads about two and three year old yorkies loosing their teeth to dental disease, and Joey's teeth at age two are pure white, no tartar spots whatever. I definitely will be using this product, even though he doesn't like it. Alcohol has many good uses, it's a wonderful preservative, as well as being an effective germ killer.

I guess I'm just extra cautious with Miko because of his liver condition...Even the smallest things can cause very serious problems in his system...So, I prefer to overreact when it comes to him...He's very sensitive.

Yes, it's a germ killer, but when we swish around listerine in our human mouths, we don't swallow it like these dogs do. Plus, it's not just a little bit every once in awhile...It should be used consistently for maintenance, so they're getting a little bit of alcohol *every* single day, if used appropriately.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Yorkieluv

I guess I'm just extra cautious with Miko because of his liver condition...Even the smallest things can cause very serious problems in his system...So, I prefer to overreact when it comes to him...He's very sensitive.

Yes, it's a germ killer, but when we swish around listerine in our human mouths, we don't swallow it like these dogs do. Plus, it's not just a little bit every once in awhile...It should be used consistently for maintenance, so they're getting a little bit of alcohol *every* single day, if used appropriately.

While I agree with you, if your dog has liver problems you need to be extremely cautious in any medications you use, however, I do believe anesthesia would be very difficult as well. You are incorrect about its application though; daily use is only necessary if you dog already has tartar buildup. Then it' is recommended that for the first month you use it daily or until the gum line is free from tartar, after that 2-3 times a week is all that's necessary. If it's for a preventive program 2 times a week is enough. I started using the product because I heard about it on Yorkietalk, I am so glad I found it, and our last check-up, the vet made a big deal about how great Joey's teeth looked, and how this is unusual in Yorkies. I just hate to see people stop using it because of unfounded worries about its alcohol content. The website has more details. PetzLife Products Inc - Products For a Healthier Pet

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Yorkieluv

I guess I'm just extra cautious with Miko because of his liver condition...Even the smallest things can cause very serious problems in his system...So, I prefer to overreact when it comes to him...He's very sensitive.

Yes, it's a germ killer, but when we swish around listerine in our human mouths, we don't swallow it like these dogs do. Plus, it's not just a little bit every once in awhile...It should be used consistently for maintenance, so they're getting a little bit of alcohol *every* single day, if used appropriately.

I suppose I'm a bit more cautious also with Ellie's liver.
It's a full time job studying ingredients.




I would like to know the exact percent of alcohol. If it was one of the very last ingredients, just being used to stabilize the product or bring out essential oil affects and it was only going to be used a few times a month, that might be okay. This is the second ingredient, I don't see why it needs to contain that much alcohol and it is used 2-7 times a week.

Evidently another board certified animal dentist has the same thoughts about it as TLC's did (last post on page 1):
Petzlife

Petzlife could very well work for some animals but where are the safety studies because of the questionable ingredients? They say no side effects have been reported but I really can't believe that because I think there have even been a couple reported on YT.

[Yorkieluv]

Maybe we can email them and find out if they'll give us that info on the percentage of alcohol. The truth is that the smell of alcohol is pretty strong...

[Izzy Princess]

We use both gel and spray and Izzy always sneezes when I use the spray. Some of the mist might be getting into her tiny nose and probably the same for your furbutt! I wouldn't worry.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Yorkieluv

Maybe we can email them and find out if they'll give us that info on the percentage of alcohol. The truth is that the smell of alcohol is pretty strong...

I say go for it!
I was looking at some animal dental organizations (like the American College of Veterinary Dentists) but they don't take questions like this. If Ellie's vet had 3 seconds of spare time I'd ask her to find out but since I don't need to know because I've stopped using it, I don't want to bother her with it.

Most of the vets that seem to recommend it are holistic bases. That is fine but some holistic products lack research and testing. They are natural, so are said to be safer but that is not always the case.