How to Select Safe, Affective Teeth Cleaning Chews & Dental Chews for Your Dog

 
 
Rawhide, dental chews including Greenies, antlers, horns and load bearing bones are not good for your dog's health. Find out why and learn about species appropriate health supporting chews to select for your dog's oral health and overall well-being. 

★ 4.5 min read
In this article:
  1. Species Appropriate Chews Support Your Dog's Overall Health
    1. Raw Meaty Bones 
    2. Single Ingredient Air Dried, Dehydrated or Freeze Dried Pure Animal Protein Chews
  2. Examples of Bones you Should Not Give to Your Dog
    1. Recreational Bones - Load Bearing Bones (Smoked, Dry, Raw), Antlers, Rawhide
    2. Dental Chews
Are you giving your dog any of the health damaging treats, chews or 'dental bones' listed just below?
  1. Antlers or horns.
  2. 'Dental' chews, Greenies and similar.
  3. Marrow bones and other load bearing bones.
  4. Rawhide.
  5. Yak chews.
In this article find out how these items damage your dog's health and learn about species appropriate, health supporting, chews.

1.0 Species Appropriate Chews Support Your Dog's Overall Health

Species appropriate chews support your puppy and dog's overall health and well-being. Appropriate chews are:
  1. A source of essential nutrients.
  2. Exercises teeth, gums, and jaw.
  3. Helps remove plaque and keep teeth clean.
  4. Satisfies a dog’s natural need to chew.
  5. Provides an outlet to expend energy.
  6. Helps prevent boredom.
  7. And for puppies, helps sooth itchy gums during teething.
There are many different types of chews to select from. Your dog may pick their own naturally available items to chew. My dog’s love to pick their own sticks to gnaw on while we are on out trail walks together…tree twigs contain volatile oils that stimulate blood circulation and tannins that tighten and clean gum tissue. However, not all tree bark and wood are safe for dogs, this is for various reasons. For example specific trees contain toxic compounds, for example black cherry trees.

You can choose from a wide assortment of chews available at most pet supply stores and on-line, HOWEVER most contain species inappropriate ingredients and toxic additives. The information below provides a guide to choosing quality product and the right product.

And one other thing to keep in mind,  you won't know the quality of the item, much like the meat used in dog kibble - unless the labelling states that the chew (whether bone, dental chew, etc.) is from an animal that was;
  1. Antibiotic free.
  2. Steroid free.
  3. Not intensively farmed (factory farm- raised).
  4. Not from a 4D animal (dead, diseased, disabled or dying prior to slaughter).
 

1.1 Raw Meaty Bones

Nature's toothbrush for dogs, and a source of essential nutrients in the canine diet.
 
raw meaty bones, nature's tooth brush and chew for dogs

Chewing on raw bones helps keep your dog’s teeth clean. Raw meaty bones are nature's toothbrush, and an essential component of a species appropriate diet.

My dogs eat raw meaty bones every day.
For example, raw chicken and duck necks, chicken, duck, turkey feet chicken wings, turkey necks, poultry heads, chicken backs, goat necks and ribs, are safe for dogs. 
 
Raw meaty bones should be included in your dog and puppy's daily diet.

However, not all raw bones are appropriate for your dog. 
 
For a Guide to Raw Meaty Bones for Dogs and Puppies:
  1. Nutritional value of raw meaty bones.
  2. How to select appropriate raw meaty bones for your puppy and adult dog.
  3. How to introduce raw meaty bones to your puppy and dog's diet. 
  4. Additional tips and important information.
Go to this article.  

1.2 Single Ingredient Air Dried, Dehydrated or Freeze Dried Pure Animal Protein Chews

Pure animal protein muscle meat, organs, etc., air dried, dehydrated or freeze dried chews
 
single ingredient pure animal protein chews for dogs

Single ingredient pure animal protein muscle meat, organs, etc., air dried, dehydrated or freeze dried chews make a good 'treat' and can be an entertaining chew. Examples include pure poultry breast, tendons, heart, liver, pizzles, etc.

These are not a replacement for raw meaty bones but can be given as an additional chew item.

Always be present when your puppy of dog is chewing on or consuming these chews.

2.0 Examples of Bones you Should Not Give to Your Dog

Hip and femur bones of large animals such as cattle and bison are great for your dog to chew on, but beware the cautions noted below.
Marrow bones can lead to GI upset and acute pancreatitis due to the rich marrow found in large animal bones. As well, marrow bones are load-bearing bones, meaning the bone is very dense, not supple. This type of bone can cause tooth fractures and other oral cavity injury. I don't recommend marrow bones.

Chewing on any type of load bearing bone too intensely can cause tooth fracture.
 
Bone splinters from load bearing bones can rip a dog’s stomach and/or intestines causing serious and sometimes lethal damage if swallowed - if you see that your dog is chipping and fragmenting the bone take the bone away, always make sure you pick up and discard the fragment. 
 
Don't give your dog cooked bones as cooking increases the fragility of the bone increasing risk of splinters and fractures.
 
For more information on what to avoid, which raw bones are best for your dog, nutritional value and other important information go to this article.
 

2.1 Recreational Bones - Load Bearing Bones (Smoked, Dry, Raw), Antlers, Rawhide

Not recommended




I do not recommend smoked, load bearing 'natural' bones, rawhide or yak chews for dogs to chew on.
Load bearing bones (natural or smoked) and Antlers:
  1. Splinter and can cause serious internal damage.  
  2. Are the most common cause of tooth fractures and oral cavity injuries.
  3. Smoked products are carcinogenic.
Raw Hide, plain, smoked, etc.
  1. Raw hide is bleached. Bleach is a carcinogen. 
  2. Raw hide products are treated with food coloring, additives, and other toxins 
Yak Chews
  1. Yak Chews are very hard and as such small and larger pieces sometimes break off. 
  2. These pieces can be difficult for the gut to digest, resulting in gastrointestinal issues including:
    1. Intestinal blockage
    2. Diarrhea
    3. Vomiting 
If your dog has a compromised gut, your dog is at increased risk for experiencing these issues.

2.2 Dental Chews

Not recommended

Greenies and other highly processed dental chews are available at most pet supply stores, grocery stores etc. and on-line. Remember don’t fall for advertising. There are NO good dental chew products. I recommend you not give these to your dog. 
 
Learn about:
  1. Health damaging ingredients in Greenies and other ' dental' chews:
Go to this article.
 
Do this instead:
Give your dog natural's toothbrush - raw meaty bones.
  1. Learn about raw meaty bones:
  2. Health benefits.
  3. Tips for getting started.
  4. A comprehensive list of appropriate raw meaty bones.
  5. ...and other important information.
Go to this article.

Holistic Diet, Nutrition, Wellness Services Tailored to Your Individual Dog and Cat

For information about my holistic diet, nutrition and wellness services, visit my holistic wellness services page.

Maintain good health | Address acute and chronic health issues | Pre and post surgery support and recovery

My holistic wellness services are available worldwide via video consultation.

🌎 USA | Canada | UK | Europe | Australia | New Zealand | Asia | South and Central America | Africa | UAE

📱FaceTime | Facebook | Skype | WhatsApp

To set-up your holistic wellness consultation get in-touch via email, go to my contact me page.
 
Holistic Behavioral Services for Your Dog

For information about my holistic behavioral services, visit my holistic behavioral services page.

For dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds.

My behavioral services are available worldwide via video consultation.

🌎 USA | Canada | UK | Europe | Australia | New Zealand | Asia | South and Central America | Africa | UAE

📱FaceTime | Facebook | Skype | WhatsApp

To set-up your holistic behavioral session get in-touch via email, go to my contact me page. 
 
Affiliations to Companies  
✓ None. 
✓ I don't sell food, supplements, or other products.
✓ I'm not aligned with any companies. 
 
Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld.

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