How Your Dog's Diet Affects Their Dental Health

Dogs have proven to be man’s best companion. This could be the reason why many people love their dogs. Some even consider them their kids. If you have a dog, then you understand the need to care for that dog. That care includes exercising your dog, feeding them right and part of this care goes towards their dental health. Did you know that 70% of dogs get the dental disease before turn two? You probably know how vital your dog’s dental care is and that is why you may be brushing their teeth and taking them for professional dental cleaning.

However, are you aware that your dog’s diet has a significant effect on his or her dental health? Good Doggy Treats® has made it our mission to improve the health of dogs by creating healthy and delicious grain-free dog treats safe for their teeth. Learn more on our homepage. Here, we’ll look at the impact of different foods on your dog’s dental health.

Dry Food

Dogs are prone to periodontal disease. That is why it is essential to take care of your dog’s dental health to minimize the risk of this disease. Brushing your dog’s teeth on a daily basis and taking them for professional dental cleanings will help. However, there can be situations where it may not be possible to brush their teeth every day. For example, they may wake up with a bad temperament and do not want anyone near their teeth, or you may not have the time to brush their teeth as much as you can. This is where dry food comes in.

Several studies have been conducted on the effects of dry food on dogs’ dental health. In the 1930’s to the 1960’s, researchers discovered that dogs that had dry food had excellent oral health compared to the ones that relied on canned food. In 1996, a study was carried out in North America involving 1,350 dogs. Results from the study showed that there were few differences between dogs whose diet consisted of dry food and the ones whose diet comprised of canned food. The differences were found in how much dental tartar they had, the amount of periodontal bone they lost and the degree of gingivitis. Another study was held in 2007 on whether the level of kibble that dogs eat affect the level of dental tartar they have. According to the findings from the study, dogs that had more kibble size by about 50% showed lower levels of dental tartar. Other studies suggest that it is better to add some dental chew to your dog’s regular diet instead of only giving them dry food. One thing that stands out in these studies is that dry food is good for your dog because it will improve their oral hygiene.

Raw Food

Research shows that giving dogs raw diet goes a long way towards preventing and treating dental disease. The diet can consist of fresh food or raw meaty bones. Just ensure that the fresh food is free of starch. These foods are beneficial to dogs because they have naturally occurring enzymes and these enzymes protect your dog’s teeth and gums. Some of the components in food that encourage unhealthy bacteria to grow in dog’s mouths include starches and sugars. These are mostly the unnatural ones. Raw foods are perfect for your dog because they do not have these starches and sugar. Furthermore, natural foods are free of harmful chemicals and synthetic compounds that damage the immune system of dogs. Veterinarians say that a feeding your dog raw meaty bones prevent tartar from accumulating in their teeth. Foods usually stick to the teeth where they also attract bacteria. The combination of bacteria and food debris creates a plague. Brushing your dog’s teeth will remove the plaque. However, if you don’t clean then the substance will harden on their teeth, and this will form tartar. Foods rich in starch tend to stick on the teeth, and so they increase your dog’s chances of accumulating tartar. Raw foods, on the other hand, cannot stick to the teeth, and that is why dogs that feed on this diet will have the minimum or no tartar. Prevention is always better than cure. If raw foods can prevent your dogs from developing the dental disease, why not give it to them?

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

We know that fresh fruits and vegetables are healthy for human beings. They are healthy for dogs too. They help to clean your dog’s teeth and give them fresh breath. Make sure the fruits and vegetables are raw. It is also advisable to slice them up to make it easier for your dog to eat them. Examples of the ones you can feed your dog include cucumber, cilantro, carrots, apples, and parsley. You can include the fruits and vegetables in your dog’s meal, or you can give them to him or her separately as a treat.

Cinnamon and Virgin Coconut Oil

Cinnamon is an excellent compound that helps to get rid of bacteria that causes bad breath in dogs. To top it up, it is not toxic to dogs. You can use cinnamon when preparing your dog treats at home. Just add some of it to the treat. If you want to eliminate the bad breath in your dog’s mouth, then you can also try organic virgin coconut oil. A couple of spoonfuls a day will do the trick. Besides, the coconut oil will also improve their digestion and make their coat healthy and shiny. This is because coconut oil is antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral. These components are vital in fighting gum disease and bad mouth odor.

If you cannot use the options mentioned, then you can cook your dog’s food. The key is to prepare it adequately and make sure it is a balanced meal.

You should know that you cannot rely on diet alone to take care of your dog’s oral hygiene. You will still need to brush their teeth, and take them for professional dental evaluations and cleanings. The good news is that you may have to do less of these when your dog is on a great diet. A proper diet will move their oral health from good to excellent. You might even significantly reduce your dog’s need for yearly teeth cleaning surgery.