Dental treats and toys can reduce plaque buildup on your pet's teeth
Within hours of your pet gobbling up their meal, sticky plaque begins to accumulate on their teeth. Within just a few days, that plaque, combined with minerals in the saliva, becomes tartar.
Once tartar has formed, the only way to remove it is by taking your pet to your veterinarian for a professional dental cleaning. However, you can prevent new plaque and tartar from forming by brushing your pet’s teeth daily and providing approved dental treats.
The simple mechanical action of chewing can reduce plaque buildup, and some products contain anti-tartar ingredients. Look for products with the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal, which certifies that the treats have been shown to reduce plaque. To feed the right size of treat for your pet, check the package to find your pet’s weight range. Monitor your pet’s calorie intake so they don’t overdo it.
Dental chew toys
If your pet chews through their edible treats too quickly, non-edible dental chew toys may be a good choice. For maximum benefit, your pet should spend about 30 minutes each day gnawing on the toy. For dogs, a good rule of thumb to follow is to only offer toys that can be indented by your nail. This will help in the prevention of tooth fractures. For cats, fabric toys covered with mesh are a good option to help clean teeth and massage gums. They may even be filled with catnip to encourage both chewing and play.