It’s February and time for our dogs’ dental cleaning! Many veterinarians discount dog and cat teeth cleaning services for this month. I know mine does, which is why I have both of my dogs’ teeth cleaned this time every year. (Just a tip: Take your dog into the vet in January for his regular blood tests, which vets like to have done before the dental cleaning.) Besides your dog’s annual teeth cleaning, there are plenty of dental teeth-cleaning products to keep our dogs’ teeth in tip-top shape so you’re not faced with some surprise teeth pulling when your dog does get his teeth cleaned.
(Another tip: If some of your dog’s teeth are pulled, you’ll need wet food, soft treats and a pill grinder to grind any pills they take for about 10 days after. Always have on hand an emergency wet dog food can or two, some soft dog treats and a pill grinder — which you can get at your local drug store. You don’t want to be doing that at night when your dogs are still a little drugged up. I know, I’ve done it!)
Dental products have made my life easier and both dogs’ teeth have improved by using them. And, I don’t know about you, but the highlight of my dogs’ day is when they get their tasty dental treats! Wish I could say the same about my dental products. Today’s dental dog product manufacturers create their dental dog products with our dogs in mind, making them easy to use and as fun as possible for the dogs. They get better, easier and more creative all the time. Check out some of the freshest dog dental products on the market today!
1. Barkers Club Vegetarian Treats — Dental Sponges
They look like meat, taste like meat and even smell like meat — but they’re a vegetarian dog treat. Barkers Club’s new vegetarian dental sponges have a gentle texture for sensitive gumlines and surround the teeth for a fuller clean. The line includes Dental Sponges, Peanut Butter Dental Twists, Veggie Bacon Waves and Veggie Pig Ears. $6.99/2 pack | Barkers Club; premiaindustries.com
2. Bison & Apple PlaqueOff System Dental Care Bones
What’s more tempting for your dog than lean bison protein and sweet apple? Plus, these new dental bones are rich in omega fatty acids as well as essential vitamins and minerals. Safe and highly digestible, PlaqueOff dental bones make a great tool in your dog’s oral hygiene — promoting healthy teeth, gums and breath. Other flavors include Chicken, Turkey, Bacon and Veggie. $17.99 per bag |SwedenCareUSA; swedencareusa.com
3. Bristly Brushing Stick
Change the way you prevent tooth problems with a tooth-brushing stick that removes the plaque and bacteria without the tooth-brushing battle. The stick shape makes it fun for dogs, with the easy-to-hold paw pads allowing the dogs to grip the stick and the two sides of bristle lines cleaning dogs’ teeth down to the gum line. The bristles are flavored to promote chewing and increase palatability of the stick. Side nudges give extra brushing surface to increase the brushing effect. Plus, the Bristly has a self-dispensing toothpaste reservoir to make cleaning easier. Available in four sizes: S, M, L and Extreme Chewer. $16.99 — $24.99 | Bristly; bristly.com
4. C.E.T. VEGGIEDENT FR3SH Tartar Control Chews
Phew! When your dog’s breath stinks, he needs more than a breath mint. These tartar control chews for dogs uniquely target bad breath while supporting proper digestion. The unique z-shape allows the chew to scrape away tartar in hard-to-reach places. Ingredients are plant based, gluten free and easily digestible. Available in 30-count bags, sizes extra small, small, medium and large. $25.62 | Virbac; us.virbac.com
5. Fresh Breath by TropiClean Dental Trial Kit
Try out a variety of dental cleaning products in a kit that includes a two-week supply of Fresh Breath Clean Teeth Oral Care Gel and Fresh Breath Oral Care Water Additive, plus a bonus Fresh Breath Dental Chew. The Fresh Breath Clean Teeth Oral Care helps to remove plaque and tartar and freshen your dog’s breath. Fresh Breath by TropiClean Oral Care Water Additives freshen your dog’s breath while defending against new formation of plaque and tartar. And, the Fresh Breath Dental Chew is a tasty way for you to treat your pup to a healthy mouth. $5.99 | TropiClean Pet Products; tropiclean.com
6. Nylabone Limited-Ingredient Dental Chews
If you’re looking for a little something extra for your dog’s dental health, give these new dental chews a try. The treats’ groundbreaking formula uses only eight natural ingredients, making them a healthy and simple option. The 360-degree design, combined with your dog’s natural chewing action, helps keep his teeth clean and freshen his breath — all in one yummy treat. Comes in two flavors: Deliciously Fresh and Filet Mignon. Available in mini, small, medium and large. $40.99 | Nylabone; nylabone.com
7. Oratene Breath Freshener
Phew! That doggie breath! Stop it in its tracks with Oratene’s Breath Freshener. Easy to deliver in a fine-focused spray. The mouth freshener maintains and freshens a healthy mouth by inhibiting harmful and odor-causing bacteria. Also helps to remove plaque biofilm. Comes in a 4-ounce bottle. $15.99 | Zymox; zymox.com
8. Oratene Toothpaste Gel
Brush your dog’s teeth daily with this clear gel that provides maximum enzyme contact to stop odor-causing bacteria and remove plaque biofilm. The toothpaste’s gentle formula relieves, soothes and protects mouth tissue against dryness. Available in 2.5-ounce tube. $21.99 | Zymox; zymox.com
9. Oratene Water Additive
Easy to use, just add this flavorless concentrate to your dog’s water bowl daily to help clean his teeth, freshen breath, kill germs and remove plaque. It just takes one to two pumps depending on your dog’s size, and the concentrate dilutes in the fresh water. The additive’s enzymes come in contact with the mouth every time your dog laps the water. Comes in an 8-ounce bottle. $34.99 | Zymox; zymox.com
10. ProDen PlaqueOff Powder
Fight Fido’s bad breath and plaque, plus keep tartar buildup at bay, with this 100-percent natural oral care seaweed powder. Simply add to your pet’s food. It’s rich in vitamins and minerals and free from preservatives, gluten and sugar. $22/60g, $55/180g and $110/420g | SwedenCare USA; swedencareusa.com
11. Hyper Pet’s Oral Health Bowls
Clean your dog’s teeth while he’s eating through the integration of a papillae lingual pad and stimulatory nodules. Hyper Pet’s new Oral Health Dog Food Bowls are designed to scrape your dog’s tongue as he licks the surface, which causes a physical depletion of bacteria and food reside. This daily scraping helps reduce mouth odor and stimulates increased salivary function. Bowls come in small, medium or large and in green or orange. $9.99/Small, $13.99/Medium and $18.99/Large. Available on Amazon. Hyper Pet; hyper-pet.com
Thumbnail: Tampa Bay. Photography © Melissa L. Kauffman.
