Expert: Dr. Kristina Conner - 5/8/2006

Question
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Followup To
Question -
I've heard that fragaria vesca (wild strawberry plant) can be used to remove tartar from cats/dogs/human teeth. Do you know how effective it is? Can you just eat the strawberries or is something else added before it is sold in pellet form?
Answer -
M Jones,
Thanks for writing in.  Strawberry, either wild or cultivated, could theoretically be used to brush teeth.  The fruit acid would help clean teeth and the seeds would act as a natural abrasive.  I am not sure if it is truly effective and I doubt it has been studied for that purpose, so it's unknown.  I would not suggest using strawberries in place of toothpaste, though, because the fruit acids would also break down enamel over time.  The safest way would be to find a dental product that contains the fruit or extract of fruit; these would be formulated to balance out that side effect.  You could try contacting one of the natural dental care companies (Tom's of Maine, Nature's Gate, the Natural Dentist) to see if that is offered in any commercial product.  Good luck in your search.  
Dr. Conner

I have heard on a dog forum (www.OurDogsOnline.com) that it (fragaria vesca) is very effective when used in pellet form.Do you have any information on this? Thank you.

Answer
No, sorry I am unaware of this usage.  I know there are some good books on natural dog care that may be helpful; but I know little about herbal use in pets.  There is also a holistic veternarian's association, that may be able to offer you some information or suggest a vet in your area.  That website is ahvma.org.
Dr. Conner