Chewed Slippers

Victoria asked the Petsperts:

“What hard food would you recommend for Ben, my border terrier, who has tartar on his teeth and is only three. Not bones as he damaged a tooth on one.”

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Hi Victoria,

Tooth tartar is fairly common amongst dogs. When plaque is allowed to remain on teeth for a long time it hardens to form tartar. It is most common along the gum line and between teeth and if left it can cause gum disease. Once formed, tartar can become very hard and difficult to remove, but the following steps should help.

The best place to start is to feed some harder, more abrasive household foods such as raw chicken wings, raw carrots and raw broccoli. For most dogs, large raw knuckle bones can help, but if your dog has already had problems with these, you’re right to avoid them.

If these don’t work you will find a huge variety of dog tartar removal products at your local pet shop or online. Simple (unbleached) rawhide chews (like the one above) can be very effective and are completely natural. There are also a wide variety of treats, toys and chews specifically designed for cleaning teeth. The sheer array of products available can be confusing, but when it comes to chews and treats, try to look for natural, wheat free products. Any toy that encourages chewing, such as these, would also be worth a try.

If the tartar still isn’t shifting, you could try some of the various tartar-softening gels, creams and supplements that are available. Again, natural is always better.

As a last resort, your vet will be able to offer a scrape and polish service but since most dogs need to be put under general anaesthetic during the procedure and the cost can be very high, it should only be considered if the above alternatives don’t work.

When it comes to dental problems, like all health issues, prevention is always better than cure. All dogs benefit greatly from regular teeth brushing and the occasional natural chew. Taking prevention even further, the holistic view is that plaque formation is one of the many signs of a deeper imbalance, usually caused by incorrect diet. The dog’s body is designed to remain healthy, but in order to do this it needs the right balance of nutrients and to be kept free from problematic ingredients and additives. Either too much of the wrong foods or not enough of the right ones will impair the body’s ability to look after itself leading to health problems like tooth tartar. A good quality holistic food like All in One (click here) will help to reset the balance, allowing the body to defend itself against not just plaque and tartar but all health problems But remember, it is a preventative measure. All in One won’t get rid if the tartar but it will help to prevent more from forming after it has been removed.

I hope this helps.

All the best,
David
Food Petspert