Pros & Cons of Doggie Dental Treats

There are so many doggie treats on the market today, that it is nearly overwhelming to choose the right type of treats for your pooch. There are many factors to weigh before choosing doggie treats.

Benefits

Doggie dental treats offer several benefits for your dog. They give Rover something to chew on to keep him from boredom, and keep the contents of your home safe from wandering canine teeth. They also help to clean and polish Rover's teeth and keep them pearly white. These types of treats also massage the gums and keep swelling down while they keep periodontal disease and gingivitis at bay. In addition, doggie dental treats help freshen your pup's breath so all the kisses you receive will be fragrant and sweet.

Drawbacks

Dental treats are not without drawbacks, however. Never leave your canine unsupervised with dental treats or any type of treat, as this is a choking hazard. Ensure that you choose the right size and shape of rawhide for your dog's breed and weight characteristics. Too many dental-type treats pack pounds on Fido, so keep them to a maximum of one per day or every other day. And keep your pooch on a regular diet - don't let him substitute dental treats for good, healthy dog food.

Popular Types

There are several types of doggie dental treats. The most popular are rawhide treats. These treats keep your dog busy for hours and are hard and crusty enough to scrap plaque and build-up off Fifi's teeth. Marrow bones are also a great choice. They are more expensive than regular rawhides, but your dog must scrape at the bone to make any headway, thus causing the bones to last longer than other types of dental treats.

Biscuits and crunchy baked treats are also great for canine dental health. As your pup chews, the hard chunks of treat scrape her teeth and massage her gums for maximum oral health. In addition, Dentist's Best by Hartz makes several varieties of dental chews, both flavored and unflavored, to keep your dog's breath fresh and teeth clean.

In addition to regular dental-oriented treats, consider a Bones and Raw Food (BARF) diet for your pet. The BARF diet improves digestive health for your dog, and the types of food included in the diet aid with dental health.

While doggie dental treats do wonders for your furry friend's oral health, they are no substitute for regular brushing with a toothbrush and toothpaste that are made just for dogs. Pick these items up on your next visit to your local pet store if you don't already have them, and brush your pet's teeth at least twice per week. When used in conjunction with regular teeth-brushing and healthy-dog checkups at the vet, doggie dental treats help keep Fido healthy, wealthy and wise!