There’s nothing quite like going in to give your pooch a smooch, only to recoil because of his bad breath. Like humans, oral care is a must for your dog. Bad dental hygiene not only leads to fewer kisses, but it can cause gum disease and infection, which can end up making your dog seriously ill.
But how do you keep Fido’s teeth clean? Well, brushing his teeth regularly with the correct dog toothbrush and toothpaste is one way; the other option is to give your pet dog dental chews. First prize would be a combination of the two but we know not all dogs like getting their teeth brushed. This is where dental chews are a clever alternative and will keep his breath fresh and prevent diseases that are commonly associated with bad oral care.
Let’s take a look at some of the best dog dental chews.
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The Best Dog Dental Chews UK
Pedigree DentaStix Fresh Dental Dog Chews for Medium Dogs (10-25 Kg)
The unique X-shaped dental chews are scientifically proven to help reduce your pet’s tartar buildup by as much as 80%. The Pedigree Dentastix Fresh Dental Dog Chews have been designed to be chewed for longer in order to be effective at cleaning your dog’s teeth. They also have a slightly abrasive texture that ‘brushes’ the teeth, while the active ingredients work to reduce the buildup of tartar and plaque.
They’re extra tasty, so even the fussiest mutt will enjoy them, plus they’re low in fat, have no added sugar and no artificial flavours or colours. The DentaStix chews from Pedigree are available in single or multi-packs and come in different sizes for small, medium and large dogs.
HiLife Special Care Daily Dental Dog Chews are considered to be one of the best dental dog chews by UK pet owners. The natural chew hide works as part of an oral hygiene routine for your pooch, reducing plaque and tartar buildup, keeping gums healthy and freshening his breath.
If your dog isn’t too fond of teeth brushing this a great natural alternative, however, these chews (or any others) don’t replace brushing, it just means you don’t need to brush as often. The HiLife chews will vary in colour, shape and size because they’re a natural product. There are 12 in a pack making the chews a well-priced, high-quality product.
8 in1 Delights Twist Dental Sticks
The 8in1 Delights Twist Sticks are tasty and nutritious and contain extra teeth cleaning minerals with no artificial flavours or colours. These chews are recommended for small and medium breeds, but shouldn’t be given to a dog under 6 months.
Logic Orozyme Dental Chews
Logic Orozyme Dental Chews for Small Dogs are the perfect after-dinner treat to get rid of food particles and massage your pooch’s gums. The rawhide chew has antibacterial compounds and enzymes that reduces the formation of plaque and kills tartar causing bacteria.
Vets trust and recommend the low-calorie Logic Orozyme dental chews for effective teeth cleaning and suggest you give your dog one a day, after his last meal. These innovative chews are available for small (weighing less than 10 kg), medium (weighing between 10 and 30 kg) and large breeds (weighing more than 30 kg).
Greenies Dental Chews Teenie Treats for Dogs
Possibly one of the first dental chews available on the market, Greenies Dental Chews Teenie Treats for Dogs are the toothbrush-shaped chew treats for dogs. The chews contain vitamins, taurine, minerals and chlorophyll, which have plaque fighting properties.
Originally only available through vets, Greenies can now be purchased at pet shops and online. The teenie toothbrush chews are ideal for small to medium sized dogs that don’t gulp things down; bigger breeds could end up swallowing them whole.
Arm And Hammer Tartar Control Dental Mints
Say hello to clean teeth and a fresh smelling breath withArm And Hammer Tartar Control Dental Mints. Not only are these crunchy treats tasty, they’re also good for your dog’s teeth and gums. Each mint whitens, reduces tartar and keeps your pet’s gums healthy.
Baking soda, natural herbs and green tea leaf are the main ingredients, plus Arm and Hammer is a trusted name that’s been around for 100 years.
Pedigree DentaStix Daily Oral Care for Small Dogs (5-10 Kg)
These tasty treats are sugar-free and low in fat, which means your dog can have one once a day as part of their dental care routine. The ‘stix’ are also free from artificial colours and flavours.
Soopa Dental Sticks, 100 gm, Pumpkin/Carrot
As well as being great for helping your dog’s nutrition, it will aid in keeping your dog’s mouth clean by fighting plaque, reducing the risk of gum disease, and will help to keep your dog’s breath fresh and not smelling awful.
The Soopa Dental Sticks have won the PPRA (Pet Product Retail Association) award for best pet product award in 2020, and are recommended by pet nutritionists for being a healthy treat that helps with dental hygiene and digestion.
Bakers Dental Delicious (Chicken)
Your furry friend will love Bakers Dental Delicious chicken flavoured meat sticks. The special ridges on the side of the dental stick helps clean teeth, while it’s being chewed, reducing plaque and tartar buildup. The dog treats are filled with a delicious meat which encourages longer chewing and more effective cleaning.
They’re low in fat and are packaged in a resealable bag to keep them fresh for longer.
A dental chew a day will keep the tartar (and plaque) away, as well as bad breath and they’re a convenient way to keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy in between brushes. Just remember to always make sure the chew you choose is the right size for your pooch, and chewing sessions need to be supervised for your pet’s safety and your peace of mind.
After more health care tips? Have a look at our recommendations of the best ear cleaners.
Why Dental Dog Chews for Teeth?
Dogs suffer from the same dental problems humans do when their teeth are neglected, including:
- A buildup of plaque on their teeth
- Tartar, that hard brown or yellow residue on their teeth
- Bad breath
- Pain
- Bleeding, irritated or swollen gums
- Irreversible periodontitis
Bad breath, or gingivitis, is reversible. Unfortunately, periodontitis isn’t, which is why dental chews are so important.
Together, with the correct diet, dog chews for teeth and dental dog chews can reduce plaque by as much as 70%. But what is a dog dental chew and how does it work? Dental chews are designed to reduce plaque, tartar and bad breath through regular chewing. And because dogs are natural-born chewers it’s one of the easiest ways to keep his teeth and gums healthy. Even though they work well for dogs who don’t particularly like getting their teeth brushed, that still needs to be done, just not as often.
Just like humans will chew on gum in between brushing, dental chews work in the same way. But before you rush out and buy a packet always check that it’s a trusted brand and that it’ll work well with the rest of your dog’s dental health routine.
How Often Should You Give Dog Chews
The first thing to mention regarding the frequency of chews is that they should not be given more than once or twice a day. The keyword is treat, so the chews should be just that. The more regularly the dog receives treats, the more the dog will expect the treat, and it will soon feel entitled to it.
Make sure that the chews are given in between meal times, instead of as part of their main meal. If the chew is given one hour before or one hour after the meal, it is less likely to be seen by the dog as a part of its regular diet and more of a treat.
Buying Dog Dental Chews: What You Need to Know
There are a few risks associated with dental chews. It’s best to chat with your vet about vet recommended dog dental chews, and also be aware of:
- Harmful ingredients: as with pet food, there are occasionally harmful ingredients in chew products that can lead to serious illness, and in some cases, even death. Make sure you know what is in the dog chew you’re buying and look out for any adverse or allergic reactions.
- Choking hazard: like with chew bones and toys, there is the potential risk of your dog choking on a dental chew, especially if they bite off more than they can chew, or if the product is the wrong size. To prevent this from happening, make sure the dental chew you get is made from ingredients that are easily digested, and in the case of your dog swallowing a very large piece, get him to vet or emergency clinic immediately.
If your dog is a notorious gulper it might be an idea to hold one side of the chew, while he gets to work on the other end.
So now you know what the best dog dental chews do and how it can be included in your dog’s oral health regime.
If you are after more reading the BBC did a great article covering this.