Our dogs are part of our families. We do everything we can to make their lives as comfortable and fulfilled as possible. Over the years, this has developed from allowing our dogs indoors, to permitting sitting on the couch, right up to sometimes even sharing our beds with them! But there are other essential parts to caring for our dogs apart from what their sleeping arrangements entail. The importance of good dental care for our dogs is becoming a key topic of discussion both within and outside the veterinary clinic. In this article, we will discuss what dog dental diets are and how they can help your dog’s dental health.

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First of all, what are dental diets for dogs?

Simply put, dental diets are dog foods that are formulated and structured to support and promote good dental hygiene and health in our pets. This is achieved through a number of special features of the food; including the size and shape of the kibble, the texture (or “crunch factor”) of the kibble, and also the ingredients used in the dental diet. 

Why does my dog need help with their dental health?

Wild dogs don’t get any help with their dental health from us humans. However, it is important to note that the average life expectancy of a wild dog is just 5 years. This was also the case for our domestic dogs up until very recently. Our modern-day domestic dogs often enjoy a lifespan of 10+ years, so over double that of wild dogs. This means that they need to use their teeth for much longer than their wild and ancestral counterparts! A combination of a good dental diet, regular toothbrushing, and veterinary dental checks and exams will help support your pet’s teeth; allowing them to enjoy their life to the fullest. 

How does the shape of my dog’s kibble contribute to dental health?

Dental diets for dogs generally have a larger kibble size than regular dog kibble. This means that dogs have to chew the food more before swallowing it. A bigger kibble size also means that when your dog bites into the kibble, their tooth goes further into the kibble. This allows the kibble to mechanically clean the length of the tooth and remove plaque. In many cases, the dental kibble also comes into contact with the gum. This can help with the removal of plaque. The kibble is often hexagonal or rounded in structure to increase its contact with the surface area of each tooth.

This larger dental diet kibble can also have other benefits. We all know the dog who wolfs down their dinner with barely a single chew! A larger kibble size that the dog must chew also means that digestion starts in the mouth, rather than the food being sent straight to their stomach whole. This can help reduce issues such as bloat and poor absorption of their food. 

The size of dental diet kibble your dog requires will depend on a number of factors, including their breed, weight, and their life stage. Your veterinary team can help advise on the best dental diet for your individual pet. It is strongly recommended to discuss this with your veterinary team before making any changes to your pet’s diet. It’s also important to note that the transition to a dental diet (or indeed any diet change) should be introduced gradually over several days to avoid stomach upset. It is also important to note that dental diets are not a substitute for regular veterinary health checks and exams.

What about the texture of dental diets?

Most dental diets are crunchier than regular commercial dog food. Just like us humans eating a crunchy biscuit, this means that our dogs have to chew them more thoroughly before swallowing. This increased chewing can have a mechanical cleaning effect on the teeth, effectively helping to “scrub” off the plaque from our dog’s teeth in a motion similar to brushing with a toothbrush.

It is really important to remember that only plaque can be removed by this mechanism; tartar needs to be removed by a veterinary professional under a general anaesthetic, with a complete oral health assessment and treatment plan.

What about the ingredients of my dog’s dental diet?

The ingredients used in dog dental diets can also help support good dental hygiene and health. These ingredients can include:

  • Calcium chelators – these components help reduce plaque by slowing its build-up on a microscopic level
  • Fibre – fibre is an important part of any diet, the fibre arrangement in some dental diets can assist with the mechanical cleaning of your dog’s teeth as they chew the kibble

So what happens to my dog’s teeth when they eat?

Wet dog food (which comes in cans, pouches and foil trays) is recommended by vets for some dogs. But in general, dry kibble is superior for dental health in our dogs. This is because (just like when we humans eat something soft and mushy) wet dog food tends to get stuck around our dog’s teeth.

This prolonged contact of the food with our dog’s teeth can also happen with dry kibble; but generally, dogs on a wet food diet tend to be the worst affected.

What happens when food stays in prolonged contact with my dog’s teeth?

When the food stays in contact with the tooth surface, gum line, and under the gum line for prolonged periods of time, bacteria build up in these areas in the mouth. These bacteria then multiply, and form a (usually invisible) sticky bacteria layer called plaque; which attaches to the tooth surface, along the gum line, and under the gum line too. This sticky layer can harden to form visible tartar. 

Plaque and tartar cause “doggy bad breath” and dental disease. This can then cause a lot of discomfort and even pain for our beloved pets. It is important to remember that “doggy bad breath” is not a normal part of being a dog. Bad breath is a common sign that your pet has dental disease. So if your pet has bad breath, it is recommended to discuss with your vet the best steps for improving your dog’s dental health. 

What about dog dental chews?

Dental chews are becoming more and more popular for our pets. While some dental chews can help with plaque removal and dental health, there are quite a few caveats that need to be considered before purchasing dental chews for your pet. Dental chews are often high in sugar, which can contribute to dental disease. Some dental chews can actually do more harm than good by damaging teeth and gums. In general, if a dental chew is too hard to allow you to make an indent in it with your fingernail, then it is too hard for your dog to chew on.

Bones of any kind are not recommended as they have been proven to break teeth and cause horrible mouth injuries. It is recommended to always look out for the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of approval on dog dental chews before purchasing. It is also recommended to always discuss with your veterinary team before introducing dental chews into your pet’s diet. 

Is there anything else I can do at home to help my dog’s teeth and dental health?

The number one thing you can do to help your pet’s teeth is the simple act of regular tooth brushing! Regular toothbrushing is something I always try to discuss with owners during their pet’s annual wellness/health check consultations and vaccine appointments. It is certainly something that can take a bit of practice and persistence. But research evidence shows that brushing your dog’s teeth on a daily basis (or a minimum of three times a week) is the best dental care you can give your pet at home. 

Regular at-home toothbrushing, in conjunction with biannual dental health checks with your vet, will help keep your dog’s teeth healthy and disease free. This will help ensure our beloved pets can enjoy their dinner (and treats!) from when they are a puppy right up to their golden years.

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