Chewing for healthy teeth

Good dental care can contribute a lot to the well-being of your dog. Dental problems are the most common complaints at the vet. And often we owners do not quickly notice that something is wrong with the teeth, until our beloved four-legged friend shows clear signals, such as having difficulty eating, drooling excessively and frequently rubbing its paw over its mouth. 

Prevention is better than cure, so what can you do to keep your dog's teeth healthy? Brushing and regular dental check-ups at the vet.

Another tool is to give a chew regularly. Of all three options, a clear winner for your best friend 😉

By chewing (for a long time) on a firm chew snack, the gums are massaged, which ensures better blood circulation, the teeth are cleaned of food residues, which can cause tartar and it ensures fresh breath. In addition, chewing, nibbling and sucking helps to produce endorphins, which gives a feeling of happiness. 

It is also a good occupational therapy for puppies, young dogs and very active/quickly bored dogs. Unless you don't mind your buddy gnawing on your shoe or table leg. Chewing reduces stress, partly because the attention is completely focused on eating the snack. 

So it's a win-win option, owner happy and dog happy.

Which chew snack is best for your dog? 

In any case, choose a natural snack. Avoid pressed skin that is twisted into different shapes, such as rawhide or chews that are too quick to eat.   

Because the range is large, we provide some examples of natural chew snacks that are suitable for different types of dogs:

Puppies and seniors/dogs with bad teeth:

Because puppies' teeth are still developing, it is advisable to give them some softer nibbles. This also applies to (old) dogs that already have bad teeth. Think of snacks such as lamb's head skin , rabbit ears and lamb's ears . 

Dogs with allergies:

Does your dog often suffer from itching, licking a lot or other skin problems? It is possible that your buddy is sensitive to certain proteins. In this case, choose snacks without additives (natural snacks), consisting of only one type of meat. And choose a protein that is not often found in pet food, such as rabbit, goat or lamb. 

Another good option is yak cheese . Made from the milk of the yak, a type of cattle from Central Asia. A vegetarian hard chew snack. Contains virtually no lactose and many good fats, protein, iron, magnesium and calcium. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) for a healthy and shiny coat.

Overweight dogs:

Yes, even with dog snacks there are some with a lot of calories (pig ears, calf's foot, yak cheese) and the 'lean' options. Do you want your dog to lose some weight? Don't be afraid to give snacks, but choose these lean nibbles: buffalo and beef ears and all types of head skin. Or give just a little less dinner, that's fine. 

Dogs with strong teeth:

If you have a strong chewer at home, you will also want to give a solid snack. Camel head skin is super hard and tough. Or go for the bull tendon , a strong smelling (and therefore very attractive) chew stick. 

Large dogs:

The biggest ones also get the biggest treat. Not only for safety, but also because the size of the teeth demands it. For example, a lamb's leg , horse dino XXL or a beef bone . 

Dogs with a love for branches:

A popular toy during a forest walk are branches, but chewing on them for a long time is less desirable. At home, give your dog an olive wood chew. This does not splinter compared to other wood and is also easily digestible. The fibers (sawdust) that come from it are completely safe to swallow.

By the way, only give your dog snacks under supervision and make sure there is plenty of fresh water. 

However, if you want to distract your dog when you are not at home, you can choose Kong chew toys . The classic red is suitable for the average chewer and the extreme black for the strongest. These toys are made of natural rubber and can be filled with something tasty such as peanut butter. Make sure you choose the right size for the size of your dog. If in doubt, choose a larger size. 

Want more information about dental care? Also read our blog article 'Showing the teeth'; dental care for dogs . 

This blog was written on behalf of the Groene Os , under their theme 'natural dental care' for dogs. Do you want to read their other blog articles about this? Then click here .