Pet parents are well aware of the fact that their fur babies have the habit of chewing things. From puppies to senior dogs, everyone loves to chew. But every dog varies in how much they chew and how heavy chewers they are. It can sometimes make things difficult as their chewing habits may prove to be destructive. But puppies and dogs should be allowed to chew when they need to as it is very beneficial for their dental health. As pet parents, you can provide them with safe and appropriate doggie treats or dog snacks to chew on for not only maintaining their oral hygiene but also to prevent them from destroying household items.
Chewing is a natural instinct for all canines. It is higher in puppies than in adult dogs. Chewing is an excellent way to exercise the jaw muscles, remove plaque and tartar, soothe teething in puppies and also keep them engaged mentally.
Why do Puppies chew?
Have you ever wondered why your pooch loves to chew? There are several reasons behind it. Before restricting your puppy from chewing, figure out the cause of chewing and then take appropriate measures to address the behavior.
- - Puppies like to explore the world and hence they chew anything they get.
- - They chew to relieve teething pain.
- - Some fur babies find chewing to be soothing and they do it to calm themselves down.
- - Chewing relieves boredom in dogs.
- - Dogs chew to relieve anxiety and stress.
According to Pets Web MD, dogs may also suffer from dental issues or periodontal diseases. They also suffer from these diseases if they are ignored or taken casually by their parents. Dental problems in dogs may lead to broken teeth, infected gums or even organ failure if bacteria enter into the bloodstream through diseased gums. From doggie treats to dental diets, all of it makes a huge difference to your doggo’s teeth, gums and overall oral hygiene.
Few of the regular symptoms of oral diseases are:
- - Broken teeth
- - Bad breath
- - Loose teeth
- - Tumours
- - Swollen gums
- - Tartar
- - Bleeding gums
- - Plaque
What are the common Oral diseases that are found in Puppies?
Teeth Discolouration
Discoloured teeth are a cause of blunt trauma and vigorous chewing on hard, pointed or sharp objects. The pink dentine is stained by the bleeding pulp which slowly affects the teeth and turns it grey or purple. In such conditions vets usually suggest tooth extraction or root canal surgery.
Cavities in tooth
Sometimes the flat occlusal surface of the molars in dogs is found to be brown or black in colour. These are commonly known as cavities in the teeth of puppies or dogs. If the cavities are not in an extremely severe condition, then it can be treated with filling but if it has already infected the pulp canal then it requires immediate attention and either root canal treatment or tooth extraction is required.
Fracture in Jaws
Due to some periodontal diseases, there can be fractures in the jaws as a result of trauma or secondary to extensive bone loss. Traumas or other causes can be easily evaluated through a CT scan or dental radiographs and further plan for its treatment can be worked out. While maintaining the natural alignment of the teeth, various techniques of treatments are available.
Foul and stinky breath
The build-up of bacteria inside the mouth for a long stretch of time leads to unpleasant or foul-smelling breath in your little ones. Such a condition demands immediate attention or else it may lead to severe chronic diseases in the later years. Puppy dental chews, dog snacks or professional cleaning may help control and sometimes eradicate bad breath.
Tumours or oral masses
Small eruptions on the gums are commonly referred to as “tumours” or oral masses. It can be benign or malignant in nature. If detected at the right time, it is curable otherwise it may lead to severe damage. Some of the common malignant masses are squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and fibrosarcoma.
Why are Dental chews important for Puppies?
Dogs are not too fond of brushing on a regular basis. It is also very difficult for pet parents to clean their teeth every day for various reasons. Therefore, dental treats or chews can prove to be tasty dog snacks as well as promote overall oral health, while providing several other benefits. Treats can be also used for rewarding puppies for their good behaviour and mannerisms or it can be incorporated as a supplement to your pooch’s daily meals.
Professional cleaning and brushing of teeth are wonderful ways to maintain the oral hygiene of your furball. But doggie treats and special diets work wonders and are extremely helpful to maintain dental health on a daily basis.
Dog dental chews are important for the following reasons:
Encourage the natural habit
Chewing is a natural habit in puppies and dogs. If dogs are provided with natural dog treats to chew on, they receive the necessary nutrients like calcium boost which is extremely important during the growth years of your puppy. This natural behaviour in dogs should be appropriately channelled and encouraged by long-lasting chews.
Eradicate bad breath
It is not an unusual thing for puppies to have stinky breath. The reason behind this is bacteria build-up inside the mouth. Brushing their teeth regularly is a good option to keep bacteria and germs away from their mouth but your pooch may not entertain it on an everyday basis. Hence dental chews are one of the most popular forms of doggie treats which can help prevent foul mouth odours. Breath fresheners are a component found in most dental treats and are specially formulated to eliminate bad breath. Dental chews that are hard, long and require a lot of chewing time helps remove unwanted substances from the teeth of puppies. If the problem of bad breath is neglected, it may lead to gastrointestinal problems and if further left untreated, germs and bacteria may enter the bloodstream and cause cardiovascular issues.
Stimulate mental health
Puppies need proper exercise for maintaining both their mental and physical health. Chewing is a great way to keep your doggo’s mind occupied, kill their boredom and keep them engaged for long hours as it involves immense concentration and brainpower. Moreover, it’s always better for your puppy to work hard on dental treats rather than destroying your expensive shoes, sofas and pillows!
Reduce teething pain
Puppies tend to chew more during their teething period. Dog dental chews and treats are a great way to help your little one through the entire process of teething. It helps alleviate the pain, irritation and stress caused by it.
Remove plaque and tartar
Dogs who chew actively, encounter less build-up of plaque and tartar in their mouth. Some dog dental treats help reduce plaque by 70%. Therefore, providing your pets with the correct dental chew not only helps control the problems of plaque and tartar but also make their jaws strong while keeping them engaged.
How do Dog Chews work?
When dogs and puppies chew or gnaw for a long time, an increased amount of saliva is produced which is released in the mouth due to the stimulation of salivary glands. The saliva which is produced consists of antibacterial and antifungal properties which when combined with the scrubbing effect from a dog chew help control the formation of plaque and tartar and prevent further development of other periodontal diseases.
How to choose a suitable chew for your Dog?
Palate and taste
If the chews are edible, then choose a chew or treat that will please their taste and palate and not upset their tummy. For dogs that are sensitive and allergic to gluten or grain, cheese-based treats suit the best.
Label and instructions
Check the label and the fine print on the product for the manufacture and expiry dates, ingredients and feeding guide before purchasing it. Read the packaging and look for terms like natural, grain-free, gluten-free human-grade, preservative-free etc.
Size and age
Opt for a chew that is appropriate for your dog’s life stage, size and breed. Smaller dogs won’t be able to chew on large-sized treats and puppies require different kinds of chews to help them with teething. Similarly, senior dogs require softer chews as their jaws and gums go weak with age. Thus, keeping the size, age and breed of your dog in mind are important.
Chewing is very beneficial for puppies as well as dogs of all ages. It allows them to exercise their natural instincts, enhances their mental health and promotes dental hygiene. The types of chews provided to your little ones must be based on size, age and chewing habits. Puppy treats or dog snacks are available in an assortment of varieties, textures, shapes and sizes like Dogsee’s 100% natural dog chews. Most small-sized and soft treats can be quickly finished by your furball but the long and extra-hard ones demand longer chew time which ultimately helps maintain your pup’s overall dental health and also keeps him/her engaged.
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