Your dog's dental care is an important aspect of not just their oral health, but also their overall health and well-being. Here, our Douglasville vets talk about how your dog's diet can help care for their dental health and what foods are best for their teeth.
Dog Dental Health
Your dog's overall health is closely connected to their oral health in a variety of ways. Unfortunately, as with people, our dogs often suffer from uncomfortable and sometimes painful oral health conditions such as periodontal disease, tooth decay and tooth loss. These common conditions can have significant and serious consequences for the long-term health and well-being of your pooch.
What foods are best for dog dental health?
While regular oral hygiene and routine professional veterinary dental cleanings are a large part of caring for your dog's teeth, there are also certain foods and related items that can help scrub away plaque. Here are five options for helping to keep your dog's teeth clean:
1) Raw Animal Bones
Raw bones are great for removing bacteria and debris around the teeth thanks to their flexibility and texture. However, they can be dangerous, so talk to your vet before you decide to give your dog raw bones.
You should always be sure that the size of the bone is suitable for the size of your dogs and that you never offer them cooked bones as these can break and splinter causing serious harm.
2) Fruits and Vegetables
Many dogs love snacking with you on fruits and vegetables. A few favorites among dogs are carrots, apples and pumpkin which are all easy to eat and will not stick to the teeth.
Along with the teeth-cleaning benefits of fruits and vegetables, they also contain antioxidants that help manage chronic oxidative stress which are known to cause periodontitis.
As with all snacks, you should consider the size of your dogs and these treats should only account for 10% of their daily intake of foods.
3) Molded Dental Chews
These types of treats are specifically designed to clear plaque and debris off of your dog's teeth. Certain dental chews also come with the added bonus of freshening their breath!
Dental chews are not only tasty for your pup, but also offer an outlet for your dog to relieve boredom and anxiety without chewing on your favorite things. These dental chews can be used during training to show your dog what they are allowed to chew on versus your furniture or clothing.
4) Yogurt or Kefir
The probiotics that are present in yogurt or kefir are crucial for the health of your dog’s gut and immune system. You can choose to give the probiotics orally or by adding yogurt to their diet. These probiotics will rid your dog's mouth of harmful bacteria which can help prevent inflammation and periodontitis from developing.
5) Dental Care Specific Dry Dog Food
Whatever food you choose to feed your dog, you should always check that the ingredients are natural and beneficial. Opt for dog foods that contain real meat, fatty acids, and vitamins which can help ensure healthy teeth.
Many dog food companies offer foods that are specific to the dental health of your dog through their nutrition content and the size and shape of the kibble itself. We discuss this further later in the post.
How Age Affects Your Dogs Diet
As your dog ages, their metabolism will begin to slow down. On top of this, your dog will begin to feel the aches of aging and just generally decrease in energy which leads to inactive older dogs.
If your dog is eating too much then the lack of exercise combined with excess calories means that your senior dog could quickly become overweight.
Dental Diets for Dogs
There are a number of different dental-specific dog foods on the market, but what exactly do they do?
These dental diets need to contain the same types of nutrients as the regular food your dog would eat to help ensure that your pup stays healthy. In addition to these nutrients, the company would ensure that they also contain other nutrients that are vital to dental health.
Many of these dental diets also come in specific shapes and textures, usually larger in size with a fibrous texture. This is meant to allow the kibble to break down and scrub away any debris and plaque on your dog's teeth.
Speak with your Douglasville vet if you would like to learn more about these specific diets or if you have any questions about how this type of food can help care for your dog's teeth.
Best Dog Food for Dental Issues
There is a number of good quality dry foods for dogs that are designed to remove plaque buildup from their teeth while they chew. Some wet dog foods have less fatty content in them in order to reduce how many small particles of food can get in between the dog's teeth.
Dental treats and chews are one of the best ways to get your dog to clean their teeth while they eat. Not all dogs eat kibble regularly, so a dental treat here and there is a good way to get them to chew off some of that plaque! Keep in mind, dental chews or kibble won't be enough; you still must manually brush away any debris from their teeth using doggy toothpaste. This will increase the longevity of their teeth and gum health.
If you feed your dog cooked food on a regular basis, like boiled chicken (light meat, no skin) and pup-friendly vegetables, stay away from foods with high starch content. Starch has an easier time building up on dog's teeth, and over time can wear them down if they are not cleaned properly. Some starchy foods include chickpeas, lentils, peas, and most root vegetables.
Kibble: Good for Teeth or Not?
If you're a dog owner, you've likely heard the claim that kibble is better for your dog's teeth because of all the chewing and crunching they do. However, in most cases, kibble is too small to do your canine any real good when chewing. Some kibble brands have larger pieces meant specifically to increase the amount of chewing, but keep in mind that the size of your dog's teeth and mouth can change how effective this is.
Additionally, "grain-free" kibble often have higher carbohydrate and starch content than other types, so if your pup is struggling with plaque buildup or bad breath, consider switching kibble brands to something vet-recommended.
Soft Dog Foods for Bad Teeth
If your pup already struggles with unhealthy teeth or bad breath, either due to age or lack of cleaning, you might be wondering if hard food is bad for them or causing them pain.
It is always best to consult your vet first, but in general, if your dog struggles with one or multiple fractured teeth, or has constantly inflamed/red gums, they could benefit from switching to softer foods. Boiled chicken and vegetables are a good option if your dog is picky. There are also some paste-like dog foods with dental-probiotics added right in.
Don't Stop Brushing!
It is important to remember that dental diets for dogs cannot replace regular at-home care and professional cleanings at your vet. Your dog cannot have long-lasting, healthy teeth or gums without brushing their teeth to manually remove plaque. Most dog breeds benefit from daily brushing; consult your veterinarian to see how often you should be brushing their teeth at home!
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.