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Which Types of Dog Treats Clean Teeth?

It is estimated that more than 80 percent of dogs three years and older are suffering from existing dental problems. The vast percentage of pets that suffer from dental diseases can be attributed to the fact that you’ll notice the visible signs of dental problems in very few dogs.

It is upon you and your vet to discover these painful conditions early and treat them in most cases. Dental diseases may be due to diet, bacterial plaque, or just poor care.

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How Can I Get Plaque off My Dog’s Teeth?

If a dental condition is left untreated, it can lead to significant damage to your furry friend’s chompers. Plaque and tartar on the pet’s teeth are apparent signs of a developing dental problem.

Your dog will mostly develop plaque on the teeth when food particles, saliva, and bacteria combine. If you don’t clear this plaque on time, it will combine with other minerals in the pet’s mouth and develop to hard tartar.

What would follow next are painful gum diseases, tooth decay, and related oral complications. Note that if tartar builds up on your dog’s teeth over an extended period, it gets hard, and you may not be able to remove it unless you have experience as a vet.

But still, even if you were a vet before, you’ll need specialized pieces of equipment to fully clear the stubborn tartar from your canine companion’s teeth. If you want to avoid getting into these types of trouble, the basic rule of thumb is always to remove this plaque early and stop it from growing further.

The best way out is to clean the pet’s teeth. You can maintain the teeth clean by regularly brushing them. You may also use treats to supplement the cleaning.

Do Pet Teeth Cleaning Chews Really Work?

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There are specially designed pet chews that may help stop or control the tartar buildup in the dog’s mouth. An excellent example of such treats is the Cheddar N’ Bacon Dancin’ Bones from Tail Bangers.

These pet foods are hard and chewy, so when the pet gnaws on them, they rub on its teeth, thus removing the plaque on the teeth. Now, even though these pet foods are effective in keeping the buildup of plaque and tartar low, do not substitute your dog’s dental cleanings with them. It would be better if you just use them to supplement the cleaning regime.

What to Know When Buying Teeth Cleaning Pet Chews

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If you are keen to offer or provide something helpful for your furry friend, you must know a few pointers to keep an eye on when buying teeth cleaning pet chews. Here’s a roundup of a few questions you may need to ask before spending money on the pet chews.

How hard are the chews? There are medium-hard dog chews and treats, as well as those that are very hard. Check to ensure that the treats are not too hard.

Ideally, they should not be bones, antlers, or hooves. Tough dog foods have the potential of fracturing the pet’s teeth. Some brittle bones may also have the possibility of splintering and then cause injuries to the pet’s mouth, teeth or even choke it.

What is the caloric content of the chews? You also need to understand that the caloric content of these pet snacks varies. If the pet is under a diet, you must keep off treats with too much fat or calories. Always check the ingredients listed on the packages of your pet foods to determine their caloric contents.

Are there any additives added to the chews? You can as well make these chews from home. If you’re thinking of using homemade chews, avoid using additives like artificial sweeteners.

If you must use sweeteners, they should be organic. Also, note that some human foods may be poisonous to the pet; therefore, if, for example, you’re thinking of using something like peanut butter (which most dogs love by the way), ensure it is pure organic one with no Xylitol. Check with your supplier and confirm that the treats you wish to buy are not made with any artificial sweeteners or additives.

Where was the treat produced? The source of the pet food may not be a huge issue, but vet experts recommend that you insist on treats produced locally in the US. Such treats are manufactured under stringent supervision as compared to imported treats which you may not be sure about.

Can you contact the company with ease? A good company will be willing to stand behind the products they produce. Therefore they should be transparent with easy to access communication channels. Most importantly, they should list their number on the company website (if they have) and be willing to respond to your questions.

What is the size of the treat? Here is where most ‘fresher’ pet parents fail. The size of the pet snack is a primary consideration when shopping for the chews. If you’re buying the chews for a small puppy, the delicacies should be sizeable enough to fit into its tiny mouth.

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You may also consider age. If it’s a senior dog, the pet chews should be medium-hard. They should be easy to chew.

Could my pet be allergic to the treat? Perhaps this could be your final consideration when buying the treats.  If your pet has a record of developing allergic reactions to some ingredients in dog food, review the ingredients used in the chews you wish to buy to see if they’re safe.

If it’s the first time you’re trying them out, give your four-legged friend sizeable chews and then watch its reaction. It would be better if you avoid pet snacks that cause worrying allergic symptoms.

In Closing

Chances are high the dental chews will help slow down the development of plaque and tartar in your dog’s teeth. You must, however, insist on quality treats always.

Don’t settle for any pet food just because of price. Harmful treats may cause dangerous health complications that may be difficult and costly to control. Besides being careful with your choice of dog foods, use specified doggie toothbrush and toothpaste to clean the pet’s teeth regularly.