The food your dog eats plays a very important role in his dental health. It is also extremely important to make sure he has the proper chew toys and bones to develop healthy teeth. There are a variety of bones and chewy items on the market. Some are safer and better for your pet than others. The best choices are uncooked bones and edible chew bones.
- While bones do not prevent the build up of tarter or plaque, they do give a healthy and safe dental workout. You should never give your dog-cooked bones to chew on as they splinter easily and sometimes cut the gums or perforate the intestines. Too many bones can also cause constipation. Raw bones do not break off enough to allow your dog to swallow enough to cause any problems. Many canines also suffer chipped teeth from chewing on rocks, sticks and other hard items. Raw bones are just hard enough to cut teeth and chew on yet not cause the teeth to chip or break off.
- Edible bones are also an acceptable alternative. These are made of natural materials that digest when small pieces are swallowed. This allows your dog to have a healthy treat and gnaw on a bone at the same time.
- Many of these bone choices also help control bad breath, which is a sign of dental trouble. There are also several chew products out there designed to help fight halitosis.
Your dog's dental health can also be aided by brushing his teeth twice a week. This will also help with the bad breath. When you are at the grocery store check out the dog food isle and spend some time examining the products on the shelf for doggie dental health
