While your pup is no fan of his toothbrush, he’s not immune to the negative health effects of plaque and tartar. Brushing your dog’s teeth on a daily basis is the gold standard when it comes to canine healthcare, but in reality, veterinarians know that doesn’t always happen. Convincing a rowdy puppy or anxious senior dog to sit still while you prod their mouth with bristles is a lot to ask, and pet owners are always looking for a better solution.
The obvious way to help your dog’s teeth without daily brushing is to give them dog dental treats. Dogs love them and they supposedly do your work for you – but you can’t help but wonder, ‘Is it too good to be true?’ It can be hard to believe, but veterinarians say dog dental treats can effectively safeguard your pet from plaque and tartar.
The American Veterinary Dental Society reports “more than 80 percent of dogs develop periodontal disease by three years of age.” It starts with a yellowish-brown coating on your dog’s teeth, and it eventually leads to sensitive gums, loss of appetite, and broken teeth. Extreme tartar buildup can even cause other health issues when bacteria from the mouth enters the bloodstream.
As with people, the only real way to get that nasty stuff off your dog’s teeth is to scrape it away. Your dentist does this every time you go in for a cleaning, and dogs can do it by doing what they do best—chewing. The mechanical motion involved in chewing effectively reduces tartar by scraping gunk and bacteria off teeth. Dog dental treats are the easiest way to brighten your pup’s smile. According to Web MD Pets, regularly chewing on dental treats can reduce plaque by 70%.
The trick is, however, choosing a product that actually works. Not all dental treats should be treated the same, and how clean your dog’s teeth are will depend on which product you choose. Ideally, you want your pup to be chewing on the treat for as long as possible. If the treat is too small or too easy to break apart, they won’t benefit from the abrasive cleaning. Though a treat may look to be too big for your dog, the seemingly too large size is actually a plus.
While the chewing motion is the most important part of this equation, what your dog is chewing on also matters. Treats made with the enzymes lysozyme, lactoferrin, and lactoperoxidase are especially good for your dog’s teeth. The enzymes work together to reduce the plaque that will eventually harden into tartar. You also don’t want to sacrifice a trim waistline for healthy teeth. Dental chews should be low calorie and low fat.
Project Paws® Grain Free Triple Enzyme Dental Sticks check all the boxes when it comes to choosing a dental treat that’s both healthy and effective. The veterinarian formulated recipe promotes dental health on three levels–to fight plaque, control tartar, and freshen your dog’s breath. The sticks are low in calories, and you can treat your pup everyday without worrying about overfeeding. They’re also the only dental treat on the market that supports the health of shelter dogs waiting to be adopted. Who knew so much good could come out of one dental treat?
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional.
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