Did you know that only 2% of pet parents brush their dogs teeth? It can be really easy to forget about your pooch’s pearly whites. But establishing a regular dental care routine should be as much a part of your pets life as it is yours.
Just like us, pets can suffer from a range of dental and gum issues. Infact over 80% of dogs suffer from some kind of gum disease. This February we are celebrating Pet Dental Health Month here at Pups, Pets and Ponies. Creating awareness and helping pet owners improve their pooch’s oral health as a way of keeping our furry friends happy and healthy!
Signs There is a Problem With Your Dogs Teeth
- Smelly breath
- Difficulty eating
- Weight loss
- Pain or rubbing mouth
- Change in behavior
- Redness or bleeding gums
The Best Cure is Prevention!
Being proactive and having a great home care routine, alongside a nutritious balanced diet, can benefit your dogs whole body – not just their oral health!
Brushing your pets teeth regularly lowers risk of developing any mouth related illnesses. Aim for at least 2-4 times a week, or for best results brush everyday to remove plaque and tackle bad breath. If plaque becomes hardened, this can only be removed by a vet. So by taking preventative action, you could be saving yourself money in the long run.
We recommend training your dog from a young age and get them into a routine of cleaning their teeth regularly. Trust us, you will thank us for this!
Alternatives to Brushing
If you have one of those doggos that really isn’t keen on a toothbrush, there are additional products which are formulated to clean your dogs teeth and freshen breath in an alternative way.
Water Additives
Brands such as Tropiclean have brought out a series of easy to use products offering brushing and non-brushing solutions. These include a range of easy to use water additives, which help dogs combat plaque and tartar simply by drinking from their water bowls! This formula contains no added flavouring and is cruelty free, ensuring a tasteless product. Making it easier to incorporate into your dogs routine. With daily use as directed, Tropiclean claim fresher breath in 14 days or less and also promise additional benefits when using their other advanced water additive formulas. These are similar to the original dental additive, however include additional supplements for advanced whitening, digestive support, hip and joint support and skin support.
Dental Gel
Tropiclean’s Clean Teeth Gel, available in puppy and adult, contains enzymes which help to effectively clean teeth. Its tasty mint flavour helps to safely removes plaque and tartar, all while freshening breath! Just simply apply 2 drops of gel to each side of your dogs mouth daily. After application, your dog will begin licking their lips, allowing the gel to coat all surfaces of their teeth and gums. Tip! For maximum effect, withhold food and water for 30 minutes before and after application.
Wanting to try the water additive and dental gel? Tropiclean also have a 2 week trial kit which includes mini versions of both products which we stock instore. Use as a introductory tester when beginning your dental care journey or as a travel set when going away.
Why not try Dental Dry Food?
Alongside brushing, a nutritious balanced diet can help keep your pooch and their pearly whites in tip top shape! There are certain dry dog foods available that have been specifically designed to ensure you dog gets a nutrient dense meal while also helping improve and maintain oral health. Its a win win!
Canagan is a fantastic example of this! Their Dental dry food is grain free and suitable for all lifestages. Made up of 60% nutritious animal ingredients and 40% vegetables and botanicals, all while naturally reducing plaque.
How does it do this you ask? Available in Free Run Turkey, the ProDen PlaqueOff kibble is made from special seaweed, sourced from the North Atlantic Coast. It works through the bloodstream, releasing a natural compound into the saliva which breaks down the bacteria film on the teeth which plaque sticks to. In addition to this, Canagan have created a special kibble shape that is chunkier and extra crunchy to keep those teeth nice and clean.
Dental Chews
When considering dental chews, we advise the more natural the better. I know it is easy to reach for the cheaper brands, not naming any names… However these could be doing your dog more harm than good!
In the UK, pet food manufacturers don’t have to list specific ingredients, which leaves a lot of hidden ingredients. This is very common with cheaper food brands. This allows pet suppliers to change what meat goes into your dogs treats without telling you. One day it may be poultry, the next it may be beef. Studies show that specific brands like these can only guarantee around 4% meat in their dental chews. This meat is made from animal derivatives, meaning anything from claws, heads, organs from many species depending on what is cheapest.
Our Tip! As a healthier alternative, choose a more natural based brand that clearly states their ingredients on their packaging. Whimzee, Forthglade and Carnilove dental treats are are great example of this.
These great tasting chews are scientifically proven to help control plaque and tartar, improve breath odor and decrease gingivitis. Made of only 6 primary ingredients Whimzees are vegetarian, grain free and gluten free (excluding rice bones). They’re fun, effective and also reasonably priced!
Forthglade dental treats come in the form of soft bites and dental sticks. Both are plant based and contain no junk or fillers. When used regularly, they help to support strong teeth and fresh breath and help to maintain a good dental routine when used daily.
100% natural and air dried to preserve as many nutrients as possible. Anco has a vast range of animal based treats which will keep your pet occupied for hours! A longer chew time can help deliver a longer cleaning tie to support improved dental health. Anco is a fantastic option when it comes to long lasting options. Our favourites are bully sticks, braided camel and the pizzle sticks for a more durable treat.
Our Favourite Staff Picks for Teeth Cleaning
- Hatwells Dentifresh Toothbrush Starter Kit for Dogs and Cats £5.99 – A perfect introduction to tooth brushing. Contains a soft rubber finger brush and a special meat flavour toothpaste. Also available in kitten and puppy with added calcium to help form strong teeth and bones.
- Arm and Hammer 360 degree toothbrush £6.29 – Cleverly designed to clean multiple teeth surfaces all at once. Easy to use and a great time saver!
- Tropiclean Enticers Teeth Cleaning Gel and Toothbrush Set £13.99 – The peanut butter and honey flavour will make toothbrush time your dogs favourite time of day. Proven to help eliminate 99.9% of the root causes of plaque and bad breath.
- Logic Oral Hygiene gel for Dogs and Cats £17.49 – A highly palatable gel toothpaste containing naturally occurring enzymes which control bacteria responsible for plaque and bad breath. Also comes with a finger brush. However if brushing isn’t possible, can also be applied directly onto the teeth.
If you have any questions or would like any more advice or information on the products mention within this blog – Please pop into store and we will be happy to advise you further and help to get you and your dog set up with your own personalised routine.
