Say Cheese! Dental Health 101

Let's face it, dental health is not the most fun to talk about, but it effects everyone including our pets! From gum disease, bad breath, and expensive cleanings, it's one of many topics we get asked about throughout each day. So let's go through the most common misconception about pet's dental health and what we can do to help.

Why isn't kibble cleaning my dog's teeth?

9/10 dogs have some form of gum disease by the age of three. And 9/10 dogs are fed a dry, kibble diet. Do you see the correlation there? We hear it all the time from guests that their vet says they need to feed a kibble diet to clean their pet's teeth. It's like us biting into a cupcake or eating a bag of chips thinking that is going to get the job done. Kibble is made up of mostly carbohydrates (anywhere from 35-70% on average) which then turns into sugar in our pets bodies. Think about the last time you bit into a cupcake or ate potatoes and how your teeth felt afterwards. Your pet's teeth feel the same way!

The biting, tearing, crushing action of chewing cartilage and meat on a bone will clean and massage your pet's teeth and gums, clearing away any food residues that feed the tartar development. This is how pets clean their teeth normally and we’ve known it for years. This is why kibble diets don’t work for proper dental health. If you've ever seen your pet regurgitate their food you'll notice that it's mostly whole pieces. The kibble, which is usually swallowed hole, bounces off their teeth like tic-tacs. Moreover, the mushy, rapidly digested carbs in these diets feed the bacteria in your pet's mouth. As carnivores, they have no amylase in their saliva (the enzyme that breaks down carbs, they historically have no need of such an adaption), the sugar hangs around fueling bacterial growth.

Remember those carbohydrates and sugars in the kibble? Well they're in your pet's dental chews too, including those green bones. Unfortunately many pet parents rely on these to get the job done when in fact it might be making it worse.

"So how do I clean my pet's teeth?"

Brush them. Just like we brush ours daily, we need to be doing the same for them. Nothing beats going in there with a toothbrush and pet toothpaste, but honestly who can remember to do it every single day? The easy solution? Raw meaty beef bones and necks.

Studies show a fresh meat and bone diet keeps your pet's teeth clean. In fact, a study published in the Veterinary Journal found chewing raw beef bones was an effective method of removing dental calculus in dogs. Furthermore, no complications such as tooth fractures, pieces of bone stuck between teeth or intestinal obstructions were observed during the studies.

No we're not talking about the ones from the grocery store or cooked bones that can break and splinter. Raw bones that have been handled to be consumed raw by your pet are the best dental chew and supplement on the market. Why you might ask? Meat contains natural enzymes that can help break down that yucky plaque and tartar. Chewing helps massage the gums to help prevent gingivitis. Unlike those green bones that are full of starch and sugar, raw bones won't create plaque and tartar on their teeth. We can always tell when a dog comes in who is fed a raw diet or raw bones just by looking at their teeth.

"So how often do I feed a raw bone?"

We like to recommend twice a week. That's it! It's as simple as that. "But I don't want to make a mess in my house." Raw bones aren't as messy as you'd think! We like to recommend placing a blanket down for your dog to lay down with their bone at night and chew for 15-30 minutes. Once the time is up, place it back in the bag and back in the freezer for another day. That way you can wash their blanket if needed!

"Can I just go down to the grocery store and get some bones?"

You could, but there is a reason they have warnings on them about cooking to a proper temperature. Cross contamination can easily happen and they are not handled to be consumed raw. We recommend Northwest Naturals Raw Meaty Bones. Made in Portland, OR in an FDA inspected facility and tested and handled for pets to consume raw.

"Why is it so important to clean my pet's teeth?"

Gum disease is a serious issue that goes far beyond unsightly teeth and smelly breath. Left to progress it can cause your dog serious discomfort and they may lose teeth. But more than that, the constant bacterial invasion at the gum line is a daily drain on your pet’s immune resources. This is why patients with gum disease are more susceptible to disease. Overtime, the body can become flooded with immune debris, clogging kidneys, inflaming hearts. We want the best for our pets and we want them to stay with us for as long as possible. Good dental hygiene is just one of the important ways we can have them around longer.

"I feed raw bones or a raw diet, do I still need to go to the vet for a cleaning?"

Great job pet parent! But just like with us we can brush daily, but nothing beats a good cleaning and examination. It's important to get their teeth checked regularly.

"Raw bones just aren't for me? What else can I do to help my pet's teeth?"

Easy! Come talk to us! We have pets too and would love to help find the right fit for you and your pet.

Kelp - Yes, kelp can help clean pet's teeth by reducing plaque and tartar buildup. Kelp contains enzymes that break down plaque and a bacteria that eats away at tartar. 

How kelp works:

• Enzymes - Kelp contains enzymes that break down plaque. 
• Bacteria - Kelp contains the bacteria Bacillus lichenformis, which releases an enzyme that eats away at tartar. 
• Natural compounds - Kelp contains natural compounds that may interfere with bacteria growth.

Still not sure what direction to go? Whether it's dietary restrictions, budget, convenience, we've got you covered! Come talk to our knowledgeable team and let us help navigate the dental section with you to find what's going to work best for you and your pets!