Dental treats can be an excellent way to help your dog maintain his or her oral health, satisfying his natural urge to chew while reducing plaque and tartar buildup, freshening breath and much more!
But when should you give your pup dental treats and are they as beneficial as advertised?
Contents
Chews
Chews play an essential part in canine dental health and can help minimise tartar, plaque and odour formation. At PetSmart we have an assortment of vet recommended dental chews including rawhide chews, dog dental sticks and healthy dental treats made with natural ingredients – all at competitive prices.
Look for chews that fit the size and shape of your puppy’s mouth perfectly, such as puppy dental chews which are softer than adult chews to encourage development of teeth and gums. Some chews also freshen breath while some come equipped with the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s seal of approval.
Greenies Chews are designed to mimic toothbrushes and come in different textures that puppies will love to gnaw on. Veterinarian-recommended and VOHC approved, Greenies provide natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin such as New Zealand green mussels and chicken cartilage – an excellent alternative to chewing rawhides or bones which contain animal byproducts which could potentially cause problems when teething puppies reach this age.
Bones
Offering dental treats as dental hygiene treats for puppies is one of the easiest and most popular ways to promote oral health. Edible chews such as nylabones, rawhide, and chicken necks are popular choices because they massage gums, remove tartar build-up, freshen breath and clean teeth, as well as possibly providing extra nutrition such as meat or cartilage. Unfortunately though, aggressive chewers may swallow bone fragments which could potentially choke them or blockages later down the road; in addition, some products such as pig ears may contain bacteria which could potentially cause stomach upset in later years.
Virbac C.E.T VeggieDent Fr3sh Tarter Control chew sticks are a popular alternative to bones for dogs who enjoy chewing. Softer than bones and easy for pups to grasp, these chews feature a unique twisted shape which gets into all corners of a dog’s teeth while being accepted by VOHC and made in America – these treats have long been recognized.
Toothbrushes
Puppies need small and easy-to-handle toothbrushes designed specifically for them, with soft bristles designed not to choke or scratch their gums. Finger brushes or toothbrushes designed for toddlers may work just as well when it comes to tiny dogs.
A dual-ended toothbrush from Virbac is perfect for cleaning teeth and massaging gums simultaneously, with its angled heads featuring rounding edges designed to remove plaque, tartar, food debris and loosening them with its rotating motions. Plus, its convenient travel case makes this product easy to hold!
PetLab Co offers another solution with their brush. It boasts natural ingredients to promote oral hygiene and includes probiotics to support digestion; in addition, this low fat and gluten free option has earned 4.5 out of 5 star ratings from pet parents.
Toothpaste
These treats use baking soda’s power to reduce tartar build-up and freshen breath. Plus, they include chlorophyll for gum health as well as calcium and zinc sulfate to support teeth and bone health. Plus, there’s something deliciously different available every week in their convenient resealable packages that keep treats fresh until it’s time to use them!
PetLab Co. Prebiotic Dental Sticks come in delicious natural flavors like carrot salmon, chicken apple and blueberry mint. Made in the United States with a chewy texture that doesn’t crumble as dogs chew them. Their X-shaped design helps them reach more surfaces of teeth while the massage gums and remove plaque. Plus they contain digestive enzymes, egg-derived immunoglobulin and collagen for immune system support and healthy hips and joints!
Whimzees Puppy Daily Dental Dog Treats offer puppies a delicious natural chicken flavor they’ll adore, with a chewy texture designed to remove plaque and freshen breath. Low in fat and without artificial flavors or colors, these treats are gentle on sensitive stomachs as they’re made of brewer’s rice, modified food starch, glycerin powdered cellulose dehydrated chicken sodium propionate water!
