Dental Care for Dogs: Why Chewing Is Key

As the saying goes, "use or lose it". This is undoubtedly true with dental care for dogs. Chewing is key to dog teeth cleaning...but not just any chewing does the job.

Last Friday, while sharing mocha lattes with friends at the neighborhood dog-friendly cafe, my terrier Pixie got so excited as she watched her Australian Shepherd friend, River, performing the wave. It was the command all the cool dogs in the neighborhood now did to be part of the in-crowd in our dog-loving neighborhood.

River couldn't have been more proud as he wagged his tail and flashed a toothy grin. It was then that his dog mom stole his moment in the sunshine by mentioning the state of his oral health. "I've tried brushing his teeth. He won't have anything to do with toothbrushes. I can't hold him still."

We discussed how unnatural brushing a dog's teeth is and that most dogs hate it. Forcing an object in their mouth twice a week definitely communicates that we don't respect their personal space. And brushing teeth is obviously not something their ancestral wolves do in the wild—or is it?

Maybe dogs do brush their teeth. And maybe we humans had it the wrong way all this time.

Why Dog Teeth Cleaning Matters

According to Cornell University, 80-90% of dogs over 3 have periodontal disease.

Just like humans, dogs develop plaque each time they eat and don't "brush their teeth". This plaque becomes a breeding ground for bad mouth bacteria. These bacteria cause tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, painful infections, and worsening overall dog health.

In extreme instances, bacteria can enter the bloodstream through mouth sores and travel to the heart, leading to a dangerous condition called infective endocarditis (inflamed heart caused by infection).

As this stuff builds up on the teeth, dog oral health declines. They start losing teeth and the ability to eat food comfortably. In the wild, a dog that loses its teeth just stops eating.

For domestic dogs, I can switch my dog to softer food at this point. But obviously, I want to help my dogs maintain their ability to eat and enjoy solid food for as long as possible. Dog oral health is vital for healthy dog aging.

How Chewing Helps Dog Teeth Cleaning

Dogs are smart. Even in the wild, they have ways to clean their teeth to enjoy a longer, more active life.

Chewing on hard surfaces is how dogs "brush". My dog's ancestral wolves chew mostly on animal bones and hard connective tissues to get the job done. Chewing on beef dog bones and cartilage is teeth cleaning action that:

Scrapes Away Plaque and Tartar

Chewing on a natural dental chew for dogs mechanically scrapes off plaque before it hardens into tartar, keeping teeth cleaner. Those little grooves on beef marrow, dog bones, and cartilage are little bristles on a toothbrush.

Stimulates Gums

Healthy gums are critical to overall dental health. If infection sets in, even healthy teeth become loose and fall out. Chewing increases blood flow to the gums, reducing the risk of gingivitis.

Produces Saliva

Chewing stimulates saliva production. Saliva has anti-microbial properties and helps wash away food particles and bacteria down into the stomach, where gastric acid can dissolve it.

Mental Stimulation and Relaxation

Dogs find chewing calming and mentally rewarding. Because it feels good, they do it. If we don't give them something to chew on, they often find things around the house like a table leg or shoe.

We often call this "destructive chewing" like the dog is doing something wrong. But when we realize they're just trying to attend to their own dental care for dogs, it sheds new light on the mayhem—and tells us how to stop destructive chewing for good.

What Should Dogs Chew On? The Best Natural Dental Chews for Dogs

I know there are a lot of dental chews out there. But many of them are little more than glorified kibble.

Yes, giving your dog kibble does help clean their teeth more than soft food. But it's not enough!

Just like humans can't rely solely on our food, dogs need something more substantial than crunchy dog dental treats.

They need something that they can chew on for a good 15-20 minutes, getting around the teeth and into the crevices. I also look for a natural dog dental treat that's a single ingredient with no additives, preservatives, added sugar, or questionable ingredients.

What do my dog's ancestral wolves chew on in the wild? Animal bone...and connective tissues. These are the best chews for dog dental health.

Nothing added. Just a whole food that dogs can't resist. I've found that grass-fed beef dog bones and trachea chews work best. I call beef trachea dog treats my "dog toothbrushes". They have these little ridges that scrape the plaque away like nothing else. Trachea chews are mostly collagen protein with glucosamine and chondroitin. So, they also provide support for healthy bones and joints.

I alternate with grass-fed beef marrow dog bones. These clean teeth, too. But also have nutritious bone marrow inside. It's rich in calcium, phosphorous, B vitamins, omega 3 healthy fats, and more collagen. This is nutrition often lacking in a high-heat cooked all-kibble diet.

I'm helping my dogs have healthier teeth, bones, joints, skin, heart, brain—all of it from the inside out, when I give them nutrient-dense natural dental chews for dogs.

I choose K9 Connoisseur natural dental chews for several reasons:

• Natural and Safe. I avoid artificial additives, preservatives, wood pulp chews, and rawhide, which can splinter or pose choking hazards.
• Durable. A good chew should last long enough to provide effective scraping action. These dental chews are dense. And I can get multiple chew sessions out of one dog bone by freezing it between sessions. Even aggressive chewers can enjoy these beef marrow-filled dog bones.
• Nutrient-Dense. Meaty beef dog bone dental chews contain naturally occurring bone marrow. It's so rich in protein, healthy fats, and vitamins. Then, trachea tubes provide additional benefits, including collagen and glucosamine for joint health. After all, a healthy jaw joint is also critical for oral health and overall dog health.
• Appropriate Size. Choose a chew that’s the right size for your dog to prevent swallowing or choking. I love that K9 Connoisseur has dog bones categorized by size, so the itty bitty Pomeranians and puppies can enjoy their meaty riblets while big dogs like my lab mix, Bruno can have massive treats like the Goliath bone. Then everything in between.

How to Build a Chew Routine

For dog oral health, a dog needs access to a dog bone, or trachea chew at least 3 times a week for 20 minutes or so. I like to put it on the schedule so we never miss a chew session.

This is quality time for me and the dogs I love. I always supervise and carefully remove the dog bone for next time when the time is up. Dog bones last a really long time this way.

Now, Pixie's friend River is working on his wave command and his dental health with the best chews for dog dental health. So, I wanted to share where our community is learning how to train our dogs. Check out this Free 7-Day Dog Training Challenge produced by K9 Connoisseur.

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