What to look for in a dog’s teeth chewing
Choosing the best dog teeth chew for your pet can take some trial and error. Our experts helped us narrow down a list of attributes to consider, including treat shape and consistency, ingredients, VOHC acceptance, size, and nutritional transparency.
Shape: Look for dental sticks with unique shapes that encourage prolonged chewing. “Teeth chewing only works if dogs are chewing,” says Alleyne. “Some dogs will just swallow the treats, so they’re not as effective.” He says the unusual shapes and ridges can keep your dog focused while they chew, which can help the treatment last longer and increase its effectiveness at removing plaque.
Not changing: When choosing a dental chew, it’s important to make sure it’s not too hard. “What we don’t want is any kind of chew that’s so hard that an animal can break their teeth on them,” says Dr. Nadine Fiani, a board-certified veterinary dentist and an associate clinical professor in the section of dentistry and oral surgery at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. A good rule of thumb is to use your fingernail to indent the chew. If you can do that, she says the chew is probably safe for your dog. We recommend avoiding raw skin, horns, and bones, which can cause intestinal blockage if swallowed or are too hard, leading to cracks and broken teeth.
VOHC Seal of Acceptance: Our experts recommend giving your dog dental chews with the VOHC Seal of Acceptance for plaque, tartar, or both. The VOHC is a professional council of veterinary dentists and dental scientists administered by the American Veterinary Dental College. The council tests whether products for dogs and cats effectively remove plaque and tartar when used as directed.
Although the gold standard for dog dental products is VOHC acceptance, a product that doesn’t have this seal isn’t necessarily bad because the product may not have undergone testing, says Dr. Maria Soltero-Rivera, a board-certified veterinarian. dentist and an assistant professor of dentistry and oral surgery at the UC Davis College of Veterinary Medicine. However, Goldschmidt says products with the VOHC seal have been proven to remove at least 20%, and typically up to 40%, of existing plaque, tartar, or both.
Size: Goldschmidt says it’s important to choose dental chews that are the right size for your dog. Avoid treats that are too large for small dogs and too small for large dogs. While he says the weight guideline on a product’s packaging is usually a good indicator of whether a treat is suitable for your dog, you should always monitor your pet to make sure they’re not swallowing an unhealthy amount. of chew.
Ingredients: The list of ingredients should be easy to find on the product packaging. You should always check this list for potentially harmful ingredients. The most important thing to remember when shopping for any dog dental product is that it should be fluoride-free, says Soltero-Rivera. Fluoride is highly toxic to dogs, and exposure can be fatal. Other ingredients to avoid include artificial sweeteners such as xylitol. If your dog has food sensitivities or allergies, you’ll also want to check the label for those ingredients. Dental chews with added vitamins and omega fatty acids can also benefit your dog.
Calories and feeding directions: Our experts recommend looking at the nutrition information and feeding recommendations on the package. Dental chews tend to be higher in calories, so stick to giving your dog a dental treat once daily to avoid excessive calorie intake. Whenever in doubt, ask your veterinarian for guidance.
