Curious pet parents often ask what the most common disease dogs of all ages, breeds and genders suffer from, and they’re usually surprised with the answer.
Dental disease.
More than three out of four dogs over the age of 3 have dental disease, and if left untreated, it can strip them of not only their teeth but their overall health.
Poor dental care weakens the surface of your pet’s gums. This breakdown of gum tissue allows mouth bacteria to enter your pet’s bloodstream and travel throughout his body, eventually affecting multiple organ systems, including the heart.
Proper oral care (regular brushing and professional dental checkups) is the first and most important step you can take to help protect your pet, but there are other ways to help promote a healthy smile for your dog.
How Can You Tell If Your Dog’s Dental Care Needs More Attention?
According to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), 80% of dogs show oral distress by age 3.
While small dogs are especially prone to dental issues with their smaller mouths (and often crowded teeth), all dogs need good, regular oral care.
One of the most common signs of serious oral and dental issues is bad breath – or what's called halitosis.
‘Doggy breath’ isn’t something that should be normalized.
If your dog has bad breath, you should be planning a trip to your veterinarian (preferably one who practices integrative veterinary medicine) for a thorough oral exam.
Bad breath can be a sign of serious tooth and gum issues, and our pet may already be suffering without you knowing it.
Your dog depends on you to take care of him, and this includes taking care of his teeth.
You should aim to brush your dog's teeth every day.
Just like you wouldn't neglect your own teeth, you shouldn’t neglect your dog’s.
Follow This Checklist to Give Your Dog's Teeth the Care They Deserve
When food remains on your dog's teeth, plaque forms. If not removed, plaque continues to build on her teeth and eventually hardens.
This can result in serious tooth and gum issues for your dog.
That's why I recommend brushing your dog's teeth daily – just like you would your own teeth. It's the best way to ensure strong, healthy teeth.
Here's a quick checklist to help you start taking better care of your dog's teeth:
- Have your dog's teeth checked and professionally cleaned when needed– follow your vet's advice for regular cleanings.
- Instead of a human toothbrush, use a soft-bristle brush like our Eco-Friendly Pet Toothbrush and gentle pet toothpaste. Our Dental Gel, especially when used with a brush, is ideal for daily use to help clean teeth and gums, and freshen breath.
- Brush your dog's teeth on a daily basis, and use Dental Gel for those times when you can’t brush.
- In between brushing, provide your dog with a tasty dental chew bone.
Your veterinarian is your best guide to determining what your dog needs, so as always, follow your vet’s recommendations.
Edible dental chews are helpful tools to incorporate into your pet’s dental routine. She won’t even realize her teeth are being cleaned as she chews.
However, just like dry crackers won't clean your teeth, hard, dry dog bones won't get the debris and buildup off your dog's teeth either – even if certain manufacturers advertise they will. Effective dental chews must be just the right consistency and made with safe ingredients.
The last thing you want to do is offer your pet something that could work against all your good efforts to keep her healthy.
Many Common Dental Chew Bones May Be Hazardous for Your Furry Friend
Most pet parents have no idea what’s in the bones – or dental chew bones – they buy for their dogs.
The next time you’re at the pet store, pick up a package of one of those popular 'green' dental chew bones for dogs and read the ingredients. You’ll be amazed at some of the not-so-natural “feed grade” ingredients listed.
Here are just a few of the most common ingredients:
- Gelatin: A potentially toxic animal by-product created by boiling down various unused parts of animals such as skin, tendons, bones, cartilage and connective tissues.
- Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate (HSH): A low-carbohydrate artificial sweetener.
- Soy Protein Isolate: A known allergen, with reduced vitamin, mineral, and protein quality – and increased levels of potential carcinogens.
That's just a tiny portion of a very long list of ingredients that should not be in any kind of food or treat for your pup.
What could be worst is, because these trendy dental chews are so tough and difficult to chew, your dog can swallow them almost whole – leading to a mass of undigested gunk potentially blocking his intestinal tract.
The chews simply can't be digested, and they could end up lodging in your dog's esophagus or intestines – remaining hard and solid for days.
The outcome?
If you make it to a veterinarian in time, immediate surgery might save your dog's life. But there are many documented reports of dogs not making it through bowel obstruction surgery – tragic, but true.
That's why we decided to find an alternative to those trendy yet potentially risky dental chews.
Additionally, it’s important to consider the special needs of puppies, senior dogs and dogs that have lost teeth.
Teach Positive Chewing Behaviors During the Puppy Years
One way a puppy learns about his world is with his mouth. If you've ever raised a puppy, then you know what I'm about to tell you.
They like to chew – anything and everything.
Chewing is simply a part of normal puppy growth and development. It's up to you to shape your puppy's behavior by teaching them what's appropriate to chew – and what's not.
And when you start your puppy off right – that is, by providing an acceptable and enjoyable item to chew when they need and want it most – you help establish positive chewing behaviors for years to come.
What's the best chew that you can choose for your puppy?
Obviously, you can't watch over your puppy every minute of the day and night. So, you want to select a dental chew that is:
- Softer than a regular chew bone, specially made for tender gums.
- Gentle enough to protect baby teeth.
- Tasty to keep them interested.
- Unbreakable or can't splinter and cause your puppy to choke.
- Quality Assurance tested to ensure a safe and wholesome dog treat.
Everything considered, you want a healthy dental chew that you know is safe.
Introducing Bark & Whiskers™ Dental Chew Bones for Dogs of All Ages
Being selective about the quality of ingredients in dental chews is important for a dog of any age, but especially with puppies and older dogs. Some chews contain dangerous non-digestible ingredients.
Bark & Whiskers™ Dental Chew Bones are made with clean ingredients to truly benefit dogs of all ages, while Bark & Whiskers™ Gentle Dental Chew Bones are perfect for puppies and senior dogs with sensitive teeth and gums.
Our thoroughly researched and developed recipes are unique in the market because they don’t contain carrageenan, wheat, gluten, soy, corn, GMOs, artificial colors or flavors.
One easy but important step that can help with your dog’s oral care is a properly formulated dental chew bone like Bark & Whiskers™ Dental Chew Bones and Bark & Whiskers™ Gentle Dental Chew Bones that are completely digestible and contain:
- Natural cleaning abrasives to gently clean teeth and healthy gums.
- Wholesome ingredients.
- Supplemental calcium and zinc.
- Effective ingredients for fresher breath.
Available in large and small sizes, all Bark & Whiskers™ Dental Chew Bones are individually wrapped for convenience and to retain freshness.
Your dog’s dental health is too precious to add to the list of things you’ll “do tomorrow.” Why not take action today, and add these to your dog’s favorite treats?
Order your supply of Bark & Whiskers™ Dental Chew Bones today – your dog will thank you.