Dental Chews – What Are They?
Oral hygiene has a huge role to play in the overall wellbeing of your dog, hence do not neglect it or be ignorant of the need for it. Dogs are not meant to have bad breath – it's often a symptom of bad underlying oral hygiene.
Dental chews are handy tools that do the job of satisfying the natural urge to chew while simultaneously cleaning the teeth and keeping the dog's breath fresh.
They usually have a rough texture that gently grinds and loosens plaques on hard-to-reach areas. This helps to reduce tartar while preventing periodontal disease and gum disease
Why Do Dogs Need Them?
Dogs by nature are prone to gnawing and chewing; it is a natural urge that needs to be satisfied the best possible way. While the free-roaming dogs entertain themselves by gnawing on their hooves, our furry canines need a little bit of help from us as pet parents.
Letting your dogs chew on any piece of furniture and tennis balls is highly not recommended. This habit will damage the teeth due to their abrasive nature. Over a prolonged period of time, this might harm the pulp of the teeth.
Actually, chewing is a mechanical action that prevents tartar buildup and removes plaque. The presence of plaque allows a buildup of bacteria in your dog's mouth. This is what causes them to have that bad breath.
Dental Chews are specially designed with a matrix abrasive outer layer, which is meant to rub against the teeth and remove all the food and debris accumulated there.
Selecting The Right Dental Chew
Not all dental chews are made equal. They differ in size, texture, color, and taste.
Also, you have to be aware that your canine friend will have their own preferences in terms of flavor or feel.
Initially, you might have to experiment to identify your dog's likes and tastes before you zero down on the right choice. In case, you need help this guide will assist you to choose what is best for your dog.
Here are few basic guidelines which we have identified:
- Size: Choose a treat that is not too small or too big. A small treat could lead to choking, while a big treat could be too much for your dog to finish. Each packet of dental treats comes with a recommendation for the suitable weight and age of the dog.
- The presence of VOHC seal: Look out for Veterinary Oral Health Council approval stamp on the product. These dog treats are meant to reduce plaque and tartar. The VOHC approves only those treats that reduce tartar buildup by 10% which in turn will reduce the formation of plaque.
- Ingredients: Some dogs are allergic to certain ingredients like gluten & grain. Choose products that your canine friend is not allergic to. Thankfully, there are plenty of dental chews that are made of different ingredients in the market currently.
- Taste: Taste is a very subjective factor. It's always recommended to choose a treat based on the flavors that your dog has taken a liking to. For example, if your dog enjoys peanut butter, then you should try to get peanut butter dental treats. This reduces the possibility of your dog not liking its taste.
- Thickness and hardness: Dog chews must be of the right thickness; you must be able to indent them with your finger when pressed. They must not hurt and must be easy to bend with bare hands.
- Longevity: Not all dental chews can withstand the weather. Hence, read the instructions and choose the dental chews that are the most suitable for your climate.
- Chewer: Some dogs are aggressive chewers and bite off big chunks. While there are some who have dental problems such as loose teeth and bleeding gums. Choosing the wrong product will harm the canine teeth and even lead to bleeding and infections. The age of the dog also will determine the kind of chew it requires.
- Place of origin: Always choose products from regions known for strict rules, regulations, and quality control to ensure that the overall effectiveness of the dental chews is maintained.
We have listed several factors that will help you choose the right dental chew for your dog.
A quick tip?
If you have other dog parents in the vicinity, you could ask for a little of their dental chews so that your pooch could sample them. A gauge of its effectiveness and whether your dog has taken a liking to these dog treats before making a purchase.
What Are Their Benefits?
It is not enough to reiterate the fact that the dental health of dogs is as important as their physical wellbeing. Similar to our teeth, your dog's teeth must have a sound oral hygiene plan or this can lead to early periodontal diseases.
Dogs by nature chew. It's in their DNA.
Related: Best Dog DNA Test Kit
They will chew on just about anything and everything. While it is good to encourage this habit, you must ensure that chewing doesn't become destructive and harmful to their dental health.
With dental chews, you can not only make sure that the dog is getting its regular chewing needs and also takes care of oral hygiene at the same time.
A few of the prominent benefits are:
- Removes bad breath: Constant chewing habit dislodges the odor-causing plaque and tartar this, in turn, reduces the presence of bacteria in the mouth. It also keeps tooth and gum diseases at bay.
- Mental stimulation: Yes, the dental chews are not meant just for good oral hygiene but also for keeping our canine friends mentally occupied and agile. Chewing on stuff requires a lot of concentration and involvement. By chewing on these dog treats, your pooch is satisfying its natural urge to chew as well as keeping the brain well occupied.
- Relieves boredom: Chewing releases nervous energy and keeps the dog in a better frame of mind. This usually leads to better discipline and behavior. It helps dogs overcome even separation anxiety. It basically is a natural need and the dental chews help satisfy that craving. Apart from dental chews, dog toys can also help to alleviate your dog's boredom.
Natural VS Synthetic
Your canine friend needs nothing but the best. We know that.
Thankfully, there are enough options to choose from. As a general guide, there are two main types of dog chews:
Based on what you are looking for you can choose either of the two.
Natural dental chews are generally higher in nutrition and closest to what the dog ancestry is used to there is also the fear of contamination.
On the other hand, synthetic dental chews are relatively safer and many of them are often have an additional layer of essential nutrients vitamins, and minerals.
You have to consider your lifestyle. Perhaps your furry best friend might be the best judge between the two.
