By Heidi Dahms Foster
Dental health greatly affects overall health in pets as much as it does in people. Dental cleanings are often expensive, especially if it involves pulling teeth or other surgery. Problems cannot always be prevented, but there are many precautions people can take to encourage proper dental health in their pets.
Dr. Michael Walker, a longtime Prescott Valley veterinarian at Bradshaw Mountain Animal Hospital, said certain breeds and sizes of dogs can have more dental problems, thus needing a bit more attention. These include small dogs such as chihuahuas and papillons, and Brachycephalic breeds (those with short noses), such as bulldogs and Pekingese.
To make matters worse, he said, many smaller dogs do not appreciate having their mouths touched. He suggests that owners work on a regular basis to handle their dogs’ mouths, rubbing the gums and looking at the teeth, so that vets can properly examine them during health visits. “Certainly, a lot of other problems such as fractured teeth and teeth growing improperly can be found during vet visits,” he said.
Like people, some dogs have dirty or problem teeth, and others may rarely need cleaning. While there is no guarantee that it will prevent all dental problems, Dr. Walker suggests that dog owners find toys and treats their pets will chew on, to help avoid tartar buildup. Brushing with a soft toothbrush and pet dental paste can help, but Walker admits that less than two percent of pet owners brush their pets’ teeth.
Regular vet checks are an important way to catch dental and other health issues. Some signs of dental problems include tartar buildup and brown calculus on teeth. A gum line that’s red and irritated can indicate gingivitis, a periodontal disease. “We want the gums to be pink, not bright red,” Walker said.
Just as dog food has improved over the years with healthy ingredients, there are many dental treats that not only improve dental health, but are easily digestible. Many toys are also available for dogs that will chew on them.
“You want to look for some chewing action,” Walker said. “Find toys that rub on the teeth, that have nubs or ribs. Rawhides get a bad rap – owners have to be cautious as dogs can chew off chunks – but rawhides can work well for chewing action.
“My recommendation is that owners supervise the dog with a rawhide for 30 minutes, and then take it away. They’ll get some chewing action but it won’t get soft enough for the dog to swallow it. Rawhides are digestible but in large quantities they can cause a blockage.”
Some of Dr. Walker’s other recommendations include dental chews such as Greenies™, if the dog will chew them and not just swallow them whole. “Oravet™ chews are more likely to be chewed, and they have a human grade product that helps with plaque, tartar and bad breath,” he said.
He added that dogs love raw beef marrow or knuckle bones, but the drawback is that enthusiastic chewers can break teeth. He has also removed numerous marrow bones that have become stuck on the canine teeth and the dogs can’t get them off.
He also favors the toys in which treats can be inserted, such as Kongs™ and other similar toys.
Below are some of the available dog toys and dental treats to help maintain your pets’ dental health.
Dental Treats
Look for the treats made with natural ingredients, easily digestible, that have nubs or ridges to help clean teeth. They should also be the proper size for your dog. It may take some time and experimentation to find the treat that your dog will enjoy and that will clean his teeth properly.
Some popular dental treats include:
- Halo Herbal Dental Chews™ help to clean teeth and scrape away plaque and tartar. Made with peppermint oil for fresh breath Oravet™ Dental Chews come in sizes for dogs from 3.5 lbs. to over 50 lbs. Contains an ingredient that coats the teeth, tongue and gingiva to create a protective barrier against bacteria.
- Merrick Fresh Kisses™ are digestible chews with nubs, and come in several flavors such as coconut and botanical oils or with mint flavored breath strips. Greenies™ chews are easily digestible, freshen breath, and also come in sizes for all dogs.
Treats Containing Dental Toys
Treats containing dental toys include those that can be loaded with a variety of healthy treats for dental health and hours of chewing stimulation. Some, such as Kong™ toys, can be filled with anything that’s safe for a dog to eat. These may include kibble, canned dog food, treats, fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, cheese, yogurt, or canned pumpkin. A great summer treat is to fill and freeze the toys before giving them to your dog.
- Starmark Everlasting Bento Ball with Dental Treat™ Tough Dog Chew Toy is made for tough chewers, with nubs to clean teeth. Another benefit is the hours of mental stimulation from chewing.
- Kong™ toys have been popular for years, and there is a wide variety to fit any dog and help with dental health.
- Arm & Hammer Super Treadz Dental Dog Chew Toys™ are designed to help freshen breath, stimulate gums, and reduce tartar and plaque buildup. They are made from durable rubber to withstand aggressive chewers, and are infused with baking soda for dental care.
- Playology™ has a line of toys made to entice senior chewers, which can have the most dental problems. The toys are gentle for fragile senior teeth, Deep, brush-like grooves help clean dogs’ teeth as they play. They are infused with an attractive scent that won’t wash away.
- Bark Box™ is a subscription box that contains not only natural treats but innovative, size-appropriate toys for tough chewers and more. It’s a monthly box of fun that you and your dog will both look forward to.
Cats
While cats generally don’t like to chew, there are literally hundreds of varieties of dental treats available for even the most finicky cat. Most of these products can be found at pet outlets online or at local pet stores. Whatever products you find that work the best for your pet, attention to their dental health will enhance their quality of life and often help to avoid more serious intervention.
