How to clean your dog's teeth with these 7 dog dental care products
Did you know your dog's dental health plays a huge role in their overall health? A healthy mouth for dogs can help avoid illness, pain and discomfort caused by problems with teeth and gums. You can help prevent dog dental issues with these 7 products that are essential for your dog's oral care.
1. Dental dog food
While the coating that many wet foods can leave on your dog's teeth can cause tartar build-up, you can also use dog food to improve dental health! A dental-specific food will sometimes be shaped to help scrape plaque from the teeth as they chew, while the active ingredients will often help to prevent bacteria and reduce tartar.
We love: Advance Adult Dental Dry Dog Food
Available for small, medium and large dogs, the Advance Dental Dry Food not only works to reduce plaque and tartar but the taste is also made to entice fussy eaters or dogs who may already have dental issues and be struggling to enjoy food.
While inhibiting bacteria and promoting fresh breath, it also has ingredients that support digestion, help maintain a healthy coat and can improve urinary tract health.
2. Dental sticks
Dental sticks act as a great dog teeth cleaner by reducing plaque, with the bonus of freshening breath. It also gives them something to play with and focus on!
We love: Bell & Bone Dental Sticks
Developed by a vet scientist, Bell & Bone Dental Sticks work to maintain calcium levels in teeth, helping to prevent dog tooth decay. The range is Australian-made with natural ingredients and no filler or grains.
3. Dental treats
With each dental treat chewed, your best friend's teeth are getting cleaner and their breath fresher (sometimes)! Treats are chewy and packed with flavour, so they're also great for encouraging good behaviour, training, and looking after their dental hygiene.
We love: WAG Kangaroo Jerky Dog treats
WAG treats are suitable for almost any dog. They can be broken into smaller pieces for smaller dogs, they're hypoallergenic for dogs with food allergies, and they're low in fat and high in nutrients.
We love: Greenies
Greenies are easy to digest, high in vitamins and minerals, and low in fat. Most dogs love the smell and taste, so it's easy to encourage chewing, which is important for healthy dog gums and for reducing plaque on dog teeth.
4. Water additive for dogs' teeth
Water additives are a great 'set and forget' form of dental care for dogs. Simply add a capful each time you fill up their water bowl! While water additives aren't a substitute for other forms of dog teeth cleaning, they are helpful for maintenance, particularly if brushing is challenging.
We love: Tropiclean Freshbreath Oral Care Water Additive For Dogs
This Tropiclean Water Additive can help keep doggie breath fresh for up to 12 hours! It also promotes healthy dog gums and can be a super simple part of your dog's daily dental care.
5. Dental chews
Dental chews can loosen plaque, so it's easier for you to remove when brushing. They also help create a barrier against bacteria which helps prevent dog tooth decay and bad breath.
We love: OraVet Dental Chews
Oravet Chews contain Delmopinol, which coats the teeth, tongue and gums to create a protective barrier. They've been clinically proven to reduce plaque, tartar and bad breath.
6. Dental toys
Dental toys can help strengthen gums and remove plaque from teeth. Chewing can also release the feel-good hormone serotonin, so chew toys can help keep your dog happy!
We love: KONG Squeezz Dental Stick
This chew stick encourages the instinct to chew while the textured surface helps clean the teeth and gums. The flexible material is durable through chew sessions, and you can stuff it with treats for extra mental stimulation.
7. Dog toothbrushes
Made-for-dogs toothbrushes are great for at-home maintenance, allowing you to remove plaque that has hopefully been loosened by some of the above dental care essentials! Paired with a dog toothpaste or gel, brushing can help strengthen teeth and promote healthy gums. Be sure to brush in gentle circular motions on the teeth and gum line.
We love: TropiClean Oral Care Kit
Available for small, medium or large dogs, this kit prepares you with the brushing basics: a TripleFlex toothbrush for cleaning in three directions, a finger brush for reaching those harder places and a brushing gel with plaque and tartar removing ingredients. TropiClean Fresh Breath Oral Care Kit for Small & Medium Dogs includes our TripleFlexTM Toothbrush, Finger Brush and our Brushing Gel for Dogs.
Prepare for oral care this pet dental month
August is dental month at Best Friends Pets, which means you can get your pet a free dental check at selected stores! Our Vets can help suggest products tailored to your pet's needs, and you can come in any time of year to speak with an expert and find any of these products or anything else you're looking for to help keep your best friend happy and healthy.
