The effects of this aversion cost me a hefty bill each time professional teeth cleaning time comes around, but it’s a small price to pay. If left unchecked, poor dental hygiene in pets can lead to far more serious repercussions.
Allowing bacteria to build up on teeth (causing plaque and tartar) can harm your pet’s health beyond bad breath, inflammation, painful gums and loose teeth, said Dr. Maureen K. Murithi, a licensed veterinarian who consults for PangoVet, a virtual health platform for pets.
“Dental disease often caused by bacteria, if not treated on time, can lead to the translocation of bacteria through the blood to body organs such as the heart, kidneys, predisposing them to infections that are fatal,” Murithi said.
According to Murithi, these risks are even higher for certain cat and dog breeds such as pugs, Persians, Yorkshire terriers and Dachshunds, because their facial structure means they are more dispositioned to dental problems.
“These treats feature a chewy texture that helps battle plaque and tartar buildup. Greenies are vet-authorized for at-home oral care and have been accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council,” Miller said. These widely popular dental chews are made with a blend of natural ingredients, vitamins, minerals and nutrients.
You can also get Greenies dental treats for cats.
Get a 27-pack from Amazon for $32.98.
“Water additives are also an easier way of keeping your pet’s teeth clean. They contain enzymes that help to break down plaque and tartar. They are usually added to your pet’s water and help to clean the teeth as they drink,” Murithi said. Just make sure to provide a separate source of water for your pet that doesn’t have the additive.
Safe for both cats and dogs, this tasteless and odorless additive is alcohol-free.
Get it from Chewy for $17.95.
According to Dr. Megan Conrad, a licensed veterinarian working with Hello Ralphie, a virtual pet care platform, certain over-the-counter diets can be helpful in keeping tartar buildup at bay. “These have an advantage over regular kibbles in that they’re larger in size and have a texture that will break up easily so the pieces in a sense ‘brush’ your dog or cat’s teeth,” Conrad said of the Royal Canin dental care kibble, which is also formulated with omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin to help provide bone and joint support.
Get the version for dogs from Chewy for $50.99 or the version for cats for $61.99.
Dr. Stephanie Sheen, a Bend, Oregon-based veterinarian formerly with Fuzzy, a comprehensive pet care platform, told us that although pet owners might turn to bones as an effective way to scale teeth, there can be some risks involved.
“[They] carry a higher risk for tooth fracture since they are so firm [and] raw bones may have bacterial contamination concerns. You should never feed your cat or dog cooked bones, as these are more likely to splinter into sharp pieces that can injure the mouth or digestive tract or cause an obstruction,” Sheen said.
For heavier chewers, she recommends natural chew items such as bully sticks, beef tendon chews, enzymatic rawhides or Yak cheese, granted your pet adequately chews rather than swallows them after only a few bites.
These vet-recommended rawhide chews for dogs contain enzymes that can help reduce plaque and calculus formation on the teeth.
Get them from Chewy for $26.09+ (originally $29.79).
“The use of food supplements is also a viable option, though a bit expensive. Some contain enzymes or are coarse in nature which helps to break down plaque and tartar. The supplements should be added directly to your dog’s food and can be served daily.” Murithi told us.
This veterinarian-formulated daily food powder is safe for both cats and dogs and claims to control tarter, eliminate bad breath and reduce plaque by up to 20% thanks to a blend of natural minerals. It also contains probiotics and healthy fats to support a healthy diet.
Get it from Amazon for $23.
Sheen said that another brushing alternative, primarily for dogs, are rubber toys that contain nubs or grooves to clean teeth while you pet gnaws on them. This popular option is made with durable natural rubber and contains tread-like grooves that can grip onto teeth. It’s also infused with baking soda to help remove plaque and tartar.
Get it from Amazon for $6.39+ (available in two sizes and multiple animals).