Sub: Top 10 Best Dog Dental Care Products (Greenies, Vet’s Best, Barkbox)
Does your dog have bad breath? It could be their teeth! Many people overlook the importance of a dog’s dental care because they think it’s not necessary; however, the fact is it is very important. Without dental care, dogs can develop bad breath, tartar and plaque, and tooth decay, as well as other tooth and gum diseases. Your dog could end up in a lot of pain!
That’s why we’ve provided you the 10 best dog dental care products based on popularity as well as a buying guide to show you the different types of dental care and how to use them to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Top 10 Best Dog Dental Care Products to Buy Online
Some products are good for deep dental cleaning while others are good alternatives for stubborn dogs who hate their teeth brushed. Check these out and see which method works best for your dog.
1/ Greenies – Dental Treats Original $4.98
Type of dental care | Dental chew |
---|---|
Amount | 3 oz, 11 pieces |
Flavor | Original |
Free from | Sugars, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives |
2/ Vet’s Best – Dental Gel Toothpaste $5.86
Type of dental care | Toothpaste |
---|---|
Amount | 3.5 oz |
Flavor | Natural Flavors |
Free from | Xylitol |
3/ Barkbox – Bright Brushless Dental Chews and Enzymatic Toothpaste Kit $35.00
Type of dental care | Dental chew and toothpaste |
---|---|
Amount | 28 chews, 1.89 oz toothpaste (1-month supply) |
Flavor | Chicken |
Free from | Artificial flavors and colors, corn, grain |
4/ Oxyfresh – Dental Care Water Additive $15.45
Type of dental care | Water additive |
---|---|
Amount | 16 oz |
Flavor | – |
Free from | Parabens, dyes, alcohol |
5/ Pets Are Kids Too – Premium Pet Dental Spray $15.99
Type of dental care | Dental spray |
---|---|
Amount | 8 oz |
Flavor | Cool mint |
Free from | Alcohol |
6/ Blue Buffalo – Life Protection Formula Dog Food Adult $14.96
Type of dental care | Healthy dry kibble |
---|---|
Amount | 6 lbs |
Flavor | Chicken, fish, or lamb and brown rice |
Free from | Artificial flavors and preservatives, corn, wheat, soy |
7/ Virbac – C.E.T Enzymatic Toothpaste $9.99
Type of dental care | Toothpaste |
---|---|
Amount | 2.5 oz |
Flavor | Vanilla-mint |
Free from | Fluoride, foaming agents |
8/ Dog Treat Outlet – Beef Rawhide $16.45
Type of dental care | Chew toy |
---|---|
Amount | 3 pieces |
Flavor | Beef hide |
Free from | Artificial ingredients, additives, fillers |
9/ John Paul Pet – Tooth and Gum Wipes $9.35
Type of dental care | Tooth wipes |
---|---|
Amount | 45 sheets |
Flavor | Peppermint |
Free from | Parabens |
10/ Chuckit! – Ultra Ball Medium; 2-pack $7.79
Type of dental care | Chew toy |
---|---|
Amount | 2.5 inches |
Flavor | – |
Free from | N/A |
How to Choose a Dog Dental Care Product – Buying Guide
Although there are many types of dental care, the aim is to maintain good oral health. Each dog is different, so one type of product can never fit all dogs.
Consider Dental Treats
Most dogs love to eat, so giving them some tasty dental treats will make them fall in love with getting their teeth cleaned! Dry kibble and snacks contain many nutrients and different sources of ingredients from both animals and plants.
Biscuits have hard and dry textures, so they can clean teeth very well. Most dog biscuits have a flat bone shape. But you can also find others that come in different shapes, too. They are easy to digest and contain a large amount of carbohydrates, so it’s better to control the portion size.
Jerky and bone treats are good protein sources. Jerky has a chewy texture and various meat flavors. Bone treats can be unsafe for aggressive chewers, but they are long-lasting treats and can promote healthy teeth and strengthen gums.
Pig ears are another popular treat. Although pig ears are good to clean teeth and scrape away tartar, they contain a high amount of fats and can cause an upset stomach in dogs. Some pig ears are contaminated with salmonella. As a result, the FDA and CDC suggested people avoid feeding dogs pig ears.
Look For a Good Chew Toy
Safe chew toys are things such as rope, rubber toys, balls that won’t wear down your pup’s teeth, and stuffed toys. They help to strengthen jaw muscles as well as reduce plaque and bacteria, which are the main causes of bad breath. Chew toys can be a good way to keep your dog entertained for a certain period of time, too!
When it comes to choosing chew toys, make sure to match the age and size of your dog with the toys. Also, chew toys should not be too hard or too soft. If they’re too hard, they can break your dog’s teeth, and if they’re too soft, your dog might quickly tear them apart in a few days.
Make sure that the toys are easy to wash and clean. There are hundreds of types of bacteria in a dog’s saliva, so you must regularly clean the chew toys for both your health and your dog’s health.
We recommend you avoid hard plastics, nylon, and deer antlers. The texture of hard plastics and nylon are too hard for dogs’ teeth while the sharpness of deer antlers can be dangerous for your dogs.
Check Out Products Specifically for Dental Care
These products are similar to products that are used by veterinarians. Some are easy to use and suit most dogs while others work great for deep teeth cleaning.
Dental Sprays Improve Bad Breath
Dental spray is a very effective way to cover up odor. It also helps to prevent and reduce plaque and tartar. Spray is easy to use, but you need to make sure that your dog doesn’t eat or drink anything for at least 30 minutes before spraying.
Water Additives Act Like Human Mouthwashes
Water additives can be compared to human mouthwashes. Some studies have found that water additives can help to eliminate bad breath, prevent plaque, and kill microbes.
Water additives are very easy to use. All you need to do is add them to your dog’s water bowl. Since they’re very convenient and inexpensive, they’re one of the most popular dental care products that a lot of people choose.
Toothpastes Provide Deep Cleaning
Brushing is the best way to clean teeth, reduce odor, and prevent plaque. Most dogs don’t stay still when it comes to brushing. It’s best to brush your dog’s teeth every day, but if you find it difficult to do so or your dog doesn’t have dental problems, a few times a week is better than nothing.
Dog toothpastes usually come in flavors like poultry, peanut, and berry. One thing to remember though: don’t ever use human toothpaste on your dogs because ingredients like fluoride or artificial sweeteners can be toxic to them!
Tooth Wipes are Good for Quick Dental Care
Tooth wipes suit stubborn dogs that refuse toothbrushes. Wipes are a gentle way to clean teeth and remove plaque; however, they can’t get into tiny nooks and crannies.
Some of them are made from a blend of baking soda and fresh mint while others can be made from natural ingredients like peppermint, parsley, or aloe. A lot of tooth wipes are made from food-grade ingredients and can be used every day.
Make a Natural Toothpaste from Coconut Oil
If you’re worried about chemicals contained in toothpaste, coconut oil can be a good substitute. Coconut oil is safe for dogs if consumed in proper amounts. The lauric acid in coconut oil helps prevent gum diseases, reduces bad breath, and kills bacteria.
Put a half teaspoon of coconut oil onto a dog toothbrush, and brush in a circular motion. You can also add baking soda, turmeric, cinnamon, or some herbs like mint or parsley, too! All you do is just blend them with coconut oil.
Besides the dental benefits, coconut oil can help to balance the thyroid, improve digestive issues, and moisturize your dog’s skin, too!
Pay Attention to Ingredients
Even though some ingredients are safe for humans, they can be harmful to your pups even in a small amount.
Xylitol and Fluoride are Toxic to Dogs
One of the most dangerous ingredients found in mouthwash and dog treats is xylitol. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is contained in toothpaste and water additives and can be used as an artificial sweetener in dog treats.
Even low levels (50 milligrams per pound of body weight) can cause low blood sugar, tremors, and seizure. More than 500 milligrams per pound can cause liver failure and death in dogs!
Fluoride is safe for humans, but it’s not safe for dogs! It can be found in some dog toothpaste. Although it helps to prevent cavities, it can be toxic if dogs consume it in a larger amount. It can cause inflammation, diarrhea, muscle weakness, and an increase in heart rate.
Sugars and Carbohydrates Can Cause Dental Diseases
Some studies have found that high levels of sugars and carbohydrates can increase the levels of bacteria in a dog’s mouth (kind of like humans!). As a result, this can cause bad breath, swollen gums, cavities, and brown stains on a dog’s teeth.
If you’re someone that is guilty of giving your pup a lot of human treats, maybe it would be time to switch to dog-specific ones that don’t have a lot of sugar.
Be Aware of Heavy Metals
PVC, BPA, lead, phthalates, bromine, cadmium, and other heavy metals are found in many chew toys. These chemicals are harmful to your dogs and can cause many problems in the stomach, immune system, liver, lungs, and kidneys.
To avoid this problem, we suggest you look for companies that are committed to using safe ingredients like West Paw’s, P.L.A.Y., and KONG.
Don’t Skip Vet Visits!
The ideal schedule for check-ups with the vet is once or twice per year. However, we recommend you take your dog to the vet as soon as you can if you notice symptoms like bad breath, reduced appetite, broken teeth, brown tartar, or swollen gums.
Feeding your dog a proper diet together with providing regular exercise can prevent oral health problems. Try to avoid sugars, high-carb foods, additives, and harmful chemicals. Instead, make sure your dog gets enough calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin C since these promote healthy teeth and gums.
Looking for Other Pet Care Products?
Dogs are a part of the family, and they need love, care, and attention from you. Besides dental care, there are other dog care products that you might be interested in. Check out our suggestions!
>> Top 10 Best Dog Brushes to Buy Online
>> Top 10 Best Dog Shampoos to Buy Online
>> Top 10 Best Dog Chew Toys to Buy Online
Summary
Since there are many dental care products, make sure to choose one that matches your dog’s age, size, and behavior.
Don’t forget to always read the ingredients and try to avoid artificial ingredients, sugars, and carbs. If you keep these suggestions in mind together with sufficient exercise, it’s enough to keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy!
Author: Apinya Masuda
Source: https://my-best.net/20514