The Bottom Line. While some doggy dental chews are effective, these aren't an effective substitute for toothbrushing or professional pet dental care routines for your pooch. Keep the other elements of an excellent oral health care routine on your pup's calendar, and their teeth will stay in good condition.
The Bottom Line. While some dental chews are effective for dogs, these aren't a replacement for regular toothbrushing or professional dental care routines. These elements of a great oral health care routine should stay on your dog's calendar, and their teeth will remain in good condition.
Just like us, dogs need daily dental care for a healthy mouth. One stick a day helps mop away bacteria before plaque can become tartar. Plus, a daily routine is a great way to bond with your dog. It's best to give dental sticks after a meal - we recommend after breakfast.
Chewing for long periods is also beneficial as it stimulates the salivary glands. This excess saliva helps wipe the teeth clean. Keeping the mouth clean also helps your dog to have fresh breath. To be effective, your dog should chew on the dental treat for 30 minutes.
Dentastix and other types of dental treats can be helpful but should only serve as supplements to visiting the vet for a proper teeth cleaning and checkup. It's smart to check with a specialist to find out what specific cleaning methods are most beneficial for your dog.
When it comes to the question of whether dental sticks can work, though, the answer is a clear 'yes,' but with an important caveat: Dental sticks can really help, but quality is everything.
#3 Fish Fingers by JR Pet Products
Due to their texture, which could aid with dislodging tartar build up, these fish finger treats from JR Pet Products are also fab for aiding dental hygiene. Perfect for dogs who need a low-fat option, they are grain free and gluten free, made from 100% whitefish jerky skins.
Not Just A Dental Stick
Vet-approved these tasty Dental Sticks are not only shaped to clean deep between teeth preventing plaque from building up, they're also supplemented with SHMP (sodium hexametaphosphate) which is used by human dentists to prevent tartar formation and staining.
Our Winner: Greenies
Greenies, which are shaped like a toothbrush, are made in four different sizes to meet the needs and the mouths of most dogs from five to a hundred pounds. They also have special formulas for puppies, seniors, and weight management.
So, how many Dentastix can a dog have? Dogs can eat 1 appropriately sized Dentastix per day, in addition to their daily meals. However, puppies under the age of 4 months, or 2 kg in weight (4.4 lbs) should not be given these treats. It is important that fresh clean drinking water is always available.
Like us, it is best to brush your dog's teeth at least twice every day. For many dogs, once brushing becomes a part of their daily routine, they will begin to expect and enjoy it. Brushing three times a week is the minimum recommendation to help remove plaque and prevent tartar accumulation.
Teeth brushing
One of the most effective ways to remove tartar from your dog's teeth is brushing their teeth daily with a dog-safe toothbrush and toothpaste. Remember that brushing their teeth now and then won't help you solve the problem. You have to be diligent and persistent.
Plaque and tartar prevention: Plaque is bacteria that can adhere to your dog's teeth over time, and tartar is a hardened buildup of plaque. Dental sticks treat and prevent this buildup by cleaning your dog's teeth. Using these treats can prevent your dog from losing teeth due to decay.
"If used sparingly as a treat, pig ears are not bad, but they're not 'healthy' either," Sanders tells Daily Paws. Sanders says pig ears are safe for most medium- and large-sized dogs when given as an occasional treat once or twice a month. "Pig ears are best when given sparingly as a special treat," she says.
As carrots are a lovely, crunchy vegetable, if you give them to your dog in large pieces they will have to bite into them rather than swallowing them whole. This chewing mechanism helps clean your dog's teeth and gums by removing residual food pieces and help clear plaque from tooth surfaces.
Offer the Most Delicious Treats and Ample Praise
The best treats will help encourage your pet to sit tight and tolerate the toothbrushing routine. Some pets even start to enjoy the gum massage and attention, not to mention all the praise, that comes with the daily oral healthcare routines.
Coconut oil contains acids that can kill fungus and bacteria. This makes it ideal for removing nasties in your dog's mouth. What's more, dogs seem to go crazy for its nutty taste. You can apply a small amount to a toothbrush or your finger- a great way to clean your dog's teeth naturally.
Pieces of bones or toys that are swallowed can lead to internal blockages. Throw away chunks small enough to be swallowed or pose a choking hazard. Provide “tooth-friendly” toys and treats. Chewing for 10 minutes a day is great for your dog's teeth, although it doesn't replace daily brushing to control plaque.
Are Greenies good for dogs? Yes, they can help maintain healthy teeth and gums when used correctly. However, if dogs eat them too quickly, they can swallow sharp pieces and hurt their throat or internal organs. So it's crucial to keep an eye on your pet while enjoying this or any chew or toy.
We all know how important it is for our own dental health to brush our teeth twice a day. But did you know that brushing your dog's teeth is as important for their oral hygiene as it is for our own? While it is ideal to begin when your dog is young, it is never too late to start caring for your dog's teeth.
Begin by finding a time when your dog is the most calm and relaxed. If they're a ball of energy in the morning, brush their teeth when they've mellowed out at night. Every time you brush your dog's teeth, you should be brushing them around the same time of day at least three times each week.
For dogs, Lee recommends brushing in a downward direction (and for cats, a horizontal motion is preferred). Ideally, you'll brush their teeth every day.