Merrick Fresh Kisses are the only dental treat to be both grain-free and potato-free. Made with all-natural ingredients for a healthy dog.
Fortunately, dental chews are specially designed to help remove plaque and tartar from teeth, and they also help to massage the gums and reduce inflammation. As a result, regular use of dental chews can help to keep your dog's teeth healthy and prevent serious health issues down the road.
Merrick Fresh Kisses are all-natural dental treats that deliver two big benefits at once: clean teeth and truly fresh breath. What's the secret? The innovative double-brush design and all-natural ingredients. As dogs chew, Fresh Kisses work to remove plaque and freshen breath at the same time.
Puppy teeth are baby teeth: While they're certainly sharp, your puppy's teeth are not fully developed. Wait until their adult teeth come in and their jaw structure has had a chance to develop before giving them dental treats; otherwise they may damage their little chompers.
How often should my dog be given a dog chew? Ideally your dog should be given something to chew on for at least 30 mins every day, or every second day at a minimum. This helps prevent large amounts of plaque from accumulating and hardening into tartar.
Hard treats, such as antlers or synthetic or natural bones, that could potentially damage your pet's teeth should be avoided, according to the American Animal Hospital Association 2019 Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.
Avoid hard bones and pigs' ears.
If your dog has diseased teeth, they are likely to break them on hard chews, hard plastic bones, sterilized beef bones, or cow hooves.
Consumption of compressed dental or durable chews should be slow and deliberate. Guardians should not permit rapid consumption of any such product forms. Inappropriate rapid consumption may lead to intestinal obstruction and intestinal perforation requiring immediate life-saving veterinary intervention.
Hard rubber toys such as Nylabone® and Kong®-type products come in many shapes and sizes and are fun for chewing and carrying around. For dogs that like tug-of-war and chewing on interesting textures, rope and woven toys are usually available in a "bone" shape with knotted ends.
Merrick Fresh Kisses feature a unique double-brush design that cleans teeth, and uses coconut + botanical oils to freshen breath. These treats are specially crafted to clean teeth. They are tough enough to ensure sufficient chew times, but soft enough to maintain contact with the dog's tooth to effectively clean teeth.
Ingredients: Pea Starch, Tapioca Starch, Vegetable Glycerin, Gelatin, Natural Flavor, Coconut Oil, Gum Arabic, Fruit Juice Color, Turmeric, Sunflower Oil, Peppermint Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Turmeric Oleoresin, Rosemary Oil.
Can a Hershey's Kiss kill a dog? A single Hershey's Kiss contains only about 8 milligrams of theobromine. So, even a 5-pound Yorkie would need to eat about 8 Hershey's Kisses to achieve the 20 milligrams-per-kilogram level at which symptoms begin to appear. But, you should still contact your vet, just to be safe.
Sadly, no. While dental chews certainly have many benefits, and are better than doing nothing at all, there's simply no substitute for regular toothbrushing. Dental chews are best used in conjunction with brushing.
"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.
Size is important when it comes to dog dental chews. If the chew is too small, dogs may swallow it whole, and if it's too large, a chunk could break off and get lodged in their throats. Both scenarios create a choking hazard.
The chews by some of the leading pet food producers are some of the most popular on the market, but are they actually healthy? The answer is a resounding NO! They certainly are not. They contain a whole host of worrying and unnatural ingredients that could cause harm to your beloved best friend.
If for example you feed raw and your dog gets a dentastix once in a blue moon, the risk can be quite low. It is the consistent feeding (as Pedigree suggests, one a day!) that will cause the most issues. Among others you could be looking at increased risk of skin irritation, eye and respiratory issues, and even cancer.
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.
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.
Tooth brushing is the best way to keep your dog's mouth healthy. Your vet may also recommend specific food types, treats and toys to help with oral health to use alongside brushing, or while you're working with your dog to get them used to tooth 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.
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.
Since natural dog chews are made from premium ingredients like grass-fed beef tendons, lamb, pork, venison or salmon skin, these dog treats supply essential vitamins and minerals while keeping their teeth clean at the same time!
Yes, Greenies are safe for dogs and puppies over six months of age who weigh more than five pounds. In the past, Greenies were recalled due to reports of dogs not digesting the ingredients causing intestinal blockage and needing surgical removal of the greenies.