Brushing and providing dental chews are great ways to combat plaque and tartar build-up on teeth, but some breeds require extra measures in order to maintain healthy teeth and breathe. Luckily, there are plenty of solutions for dogs with bad breath!
These treats contain natural ingredients such as parsley and spearmint, as well as textures which mechanically scrape away tartar and plaque as dogs chew them.
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Dental Chews
Many pet parents use dental chews as an effective way of cleaning their dog’s teeth and reducing gum disease and bad breath, but not all chews are the same.
Many pet dental chews contain harmful materials that could endanger your pet, such as unhealthy fat and other ingredients that they don’t need. When selecting one for your pup’s dental health needs, look for products with the VOHC seal indicating clinical proof they reduce plaque and tartar through abrasion as he chews.
Many dental chews feature textures designed to scrape your pup’s teeth as they chew. Some also come equipped with special shapes designed to reach into every corner and crevice of their gum line – for instance GREENIES’ ridges and curves are scientifically proven to break up and remove plaque and calculus from teeth, freshen breath and reduce odor-causing bacteria from dental health care for overall oral health care.
Minty Breath Mints
Breath mints like Altoids or Certs can quickly revive breath and add an invigorating burst to your palate, but many mints contain high sugar levels which feed odor-causing bacteria in the mouth and encourage bad breath.
When selecting a breath mint, look for one with xylitol rather than sugar as its primary ingredient to avoid feeding oral bacteria and boost overall oral health. Also try searching for one containing zinc gluconate which acts as an antimicrobial agent.
Newman’s Organics offers green tea flavored breath mints that are all-natural, low in calories, gluten free and vegan – not to mention certified organic, non-GMO, fat-free and contain no artificial flavors or colors! Keep them handy in your purse, desk or car for instantaneous breath refreshment anywhere on the go – they make for a healthy addition to any healthy diet that helps reduce daily sugar intake!
WHIMZEES by Wellness Stix
This popular dental chew is designed to reduce tartar and plaque build-up, freshen breath and help strengthen teeth. VOHC certified and low in calories, this treat contains six natural ingredients without meat products, grains or artificial flavors or preservatives making this treat suitable for dogs with allergies or sensitivities.
This flavored chew is designed to combat bad doggie breath, tartar and plaque build-up with its ridges and knobs. There is an assortment of shapes available: piglet, turkey, pumpkin and alligator! With multiple sizes to meet small, medium and large dogs’ needs – great for multi-dog households or growing puppies!
This shaped chew is made of natural vegetarian and gluten free ingredients that are GMO-free, hypoallergenic and contain no artificial colors or flavors. Plus it features Clove Bud Oil to promote oral health – plus its low calorie count makes this an excellent daily snack option for your pup! As always when feeding edible chews to your pup be sure they chew it thoroughly first – otherwise swallowing can happen very easily!
Dental Treats
Chewing treats and bones is an effective way to both reduce plaque and tartar buildup as well as freshen your pet’s breath, providing both immediate and long-term benefits. When selecting a dental chew for your pup, size and texture should both be taken into account when selecting their treat – choose something small enough to avoid swallowing hazards while offering firm enough texture to encourage chewing. Look for chews designed specifically to remove odor-causing bacteria such as Bocce’s Bakery Brushy Sticks or the VOHC-approved C.E.T VeggieDent Fr3sh Tartar Control Chews from Virbac.
These chews are ideal for dogs that do not like having their teeth brushed or are too young to start the teeth-cleaning process themselves. For optimal results, combine these treats with dental chew brushes and toothpaste as well as daily tooth wipes.