Dental health is a crucial part of your dog’s overall wellbeing. The American Veterinary Dental College recommends that pet owners brush their pet’s teeth daily to ensure good dental health. However, brushing your pet’s teeth everyday is not always practical, especially for pet owners who work long hours or have multiple pets. In these cases, pet owners may be looking for alternatives to keep their pet’s teeth and gums healthy. One such alternative is dental treats for dogs.
Dental treats are specifically designed to help clean your pet’s teeth and freshen their breath. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and flavors, and are intended to help reduce plaque and tartar buildup on your pet’s teeth. But do they really work? In this blog post, we will explore the effectiveness of dental treats for dogs and whether or not they are a viable alternative for maintaining good dental health for your pet.
The Benefits of Dog Dental Treats
Similar to humans, dogs can experience oral issues like:
Improving teeth and gum health. Dogs that chew actively have less plaque build-up. And some types of dog dental treats and diets can reduce plaque by nearly 70%. How do they do this? Simply the mechanical action of chewing can make a difference. In one study, increasing the diameter of kibble by 50% led to a 42% reduction in tartar. In the same study, coating the products with a substance called polyphosphate further reduced tartar by 55%.Â
The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) assesses pet products to determine whether they adhere to guidelines for lowering plaque or tartar. To receive the VOHC seal of approval, approved foods, treats, and chews must reduce plaque or tartar by at least 10%. If a chemical anti-plaque agent is employed, plaque or tartar must be reduced by at least 20%. Go to https://www. vohc. org/accepted_products. htm to find out which goods have the VOHC seal of approval.
Reducing bad breath in dogs. A dog’s breath occasionally has a mildly unpleasant smell. This is frequently caused by bacterial accumulation in the mouth and may indicate that your dog needs better dental or gum care. To ensure that bad breath is not a sign of a hidden medical issue, it is a good idea to consult your veterinarian.
In addition to regular tooth brushing and professional cleaning, some dog treats are also made to help with breath improvement. Hard chew toys may also help. See what your vet recommends.
Why are dog dental chews popular?
As dog parents, we are aware of the importance of maintaining our dogs’ long-term health, and we are constantly searching for new time-saving techniques. Even though brushing their teeth is one of the best ways to prevent periodontal disease (or the unsightly buildup of plaque, tartar, and inflamed gums) in our furry friends, they typically don’t appreciate our efforts to keep their mouths clean.
Dog dental chews, along with treats and sticks, have become more and more popular in recent years because of this. There are many options for goods that promise to keep your dog’s teeth healthy on the market. But before you feel overrun, let’s examine a few of these dental healthcare items to see if they are actually worth the price.
Clubs Offering:
Keeping your dog’s teeth healthy is an important part of maintaining his overall health, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Brushing your dog’s teeth is “the single most effective thing you can do to keep their teeth healthy between dental cleanings, and may reduce the frequency or even eliminate the need for dental cleanings,” says the AVMA. “Daily brushing is best, but it’s not always possible, and brushing several times a week can be effective.”
Use a dog-specific toothbrush and toothpaste, not your toothpaste. Plaque can also be eliminated by using dog dental wipes to clean the teeth’s surface at least once every two to three days.
Your dog’s teeth and gums should be examined by your veterinarian at least once a year as part of routine pet care to help prevent tooth and gum pain. If your dog exhibits any of the following symptoms, the AVMA advises seeing a vet sooner:
FAQ
How effective are dog dental treats?
Although chews with the right design may be able to lessen the accumulation of tartar and plaque, they are only an additional tool to regular tooth brushing and professional dental cleanings.
Is it better to brush your dogs teeth or give them dental treats?
So, in terms of canine dental hygiene, are dental treats almost as beneficial as brushing? Dog dental treats reduce tartar and plaque by 15–20%. If done frequently (two to three times per week), and thoroughly, brushing your teeth with an approved toothpaste and brush can reduce tartar and plaque by as much as 25% to 30%.
Do dental sticks help dogs teeth?
Daily dental sticks can help maintain a dog’s healthy teeth and gums. For maintaining your dog’s oral health, bully sticks, nylon bones, and milk bone brushing chews are all fantastic options. These chews satisfy your dog’s chewing instinct while assisting in the reduction of plaque and tartar buildup.
How often should dogs have dental treats?
In a perfect world, your dog should have something to chew on for at least 30 minutes each day, or every other day at the very least. This assists in preventing significant plaque buildup and tartar formation.