Canine Dental Concerns: Dog Treats To Enhance Your Dog’s Smile
- By Kimberly Case
- Published 04/21/2010
- Pets
- Unrated
One often overlooked aspect of canine health care is dental maintenance. Just like humans, dogs can develop painful cavities and suffer from tooth chipping and breaking. The sad part is your dog may have a hard time telling you what is wrong. Some veterinarians offer adult dog tooth cleaning, which every dog should be given roughly once per year after the age of two. You could get away with a little longer, if you are willing to brush their teeth at least once a month yourself. Dog treats can also help maintain your pet’s smile, with varieties made specifically for dental care.
Greenies
Treats If you have ever visited a pet store, you have probably seen the uniquely shaped and colored Greenies dog treats. These stand out mostly for their appearance. They are green in color and shaped like a rounded tooth brush. Many dog owners turn to this brand as an easy solution to help promote good dental health in their pets.
Most dogs enjoy the taste of Greenies, and as they chew, they are cleaning their teeth. The biscuit is easy to digest which makes it safe for almost any dog. The only downside is, if your dog does not properly chew his Greenies, he will miss out on the dental benefits, which is the reason for giving them to him in the first place. Try purchasing a slightly larger size Greenie treat to ensure your pet is thoroughly chewing before he swallows.
The Dentabone
Pedigree pet food brand also makes a line of dog treats called Dentabones. These have a chalky white appearance and are shaped something like an actual bone with a wider end. The shape and texture are intended to promote deeper cleaning as your dog works the bone in his mouth. Dogs love the taste and many owners have reported their pet’s breath smells fresh for a long while after.
The only downside to the Dentabone is the cost. The packaging recommends about one bone per dog per day for effective dental cleaning. However, the bones are generally sold in three packs which means owners have to buy multiple packs just to get through a single week.
Dental Dog Toys
There is yet another alternative to feeding your pet teeth-cleaning treats. Many pet supply stores now carry dental dog toys. These are designed to get between teeth while your dog plays and chews. Some feature bristles while others are constructed of rubber meant to work out old food and other things that can accumulate in your pet’s mouth. There are even combination designs that are made entirely of rubber but feature cone shaped “bristles” so you get the best of both worlds.
Your pet’s dental hygiene should be just as important as his health. In the end, poor tooth care can begin to effect your pet’s health status. He might not be able to eat as he once did and could suffer from infections and pain caused by tooth decay. Owners who monitor and maintain their dog’s dental health can ensure their pet has a long, pain-free life with the added bonus of fresher breath and a glistening doggy grin!
Greenies
Treats If you have ever visited a pet store, you have probably seen the uniquely shaped and colored Greenies dog treats. These stand out mostly for their appearance. They are green in color and shaped like a rounded tooth brush. Many dog owners turn to this brand as an easy solution to help promote good dental health in their pets.
Most dogs enjoy the taste of Greenies, and as they chew, they are cleaning their teeth. The biscuit is easy to digest which makes it safe for almost any dog. The only downside is, if your dog does not properly chew his Greenies, he will miss out on the dental benefits, which is the reason for giving them to him in the first place. Try purchasing a slightly larger size Greenie treat to ensure your pet is thoroughly chewing before he swallows.
The Dentabone
Pedigree pet food brand also makes a line of dog treats called Dentabones. These have a chalky white appearance and are shaped something like an actual bone with a wider end. The shape and texture are intended to promote deeper cleaning as your dog works the bone in his mouth. Dogs love the taste and many owners have reported their pet’s breath smells fresh for a long while after.
The only downside to the Dentabone is the cost. The packaging recommends about one bone per dog per day for effective dental cleaning. However, the bones are generally sold in three packs which means owners have to buy multiple packs just to get through a single week.
Dental Dog Toys
There is yet another alternative to feeding your pet teeth-cleaning treats. Many pet supply stores now carry dental dog toys. These are designed to get between teeth while your dog plays and chews. Some feature bristles while others are constructed of rubber meant to work out old food and other things that can accumulate in your pet’s mouth. There are even combination designs that are made entirely of rubber but feature cone shaped “bristles” so you get the best of both worlds.
Your pet’s dental hygiene should be just as important as his health. In the end, poor tooth care can begin to effect your pet’s health status. He might not be able to eat as he once did and could suffer from infections and pain caused by tooth decay. Owners who monitor and maintain their dog’s dental health can ensure their pet has a long, pain-free life with the added bonus of fresher breath and a glistening doggy grin!
Kimberly Case
Kimberly Case is a popular contributor at http://www.dogtreatstogo.com Where you can see our huge selection of Dog Treats including Breath & Dental Dog Treats.
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