02/12/2021
True this!
MYTH + it’s time we addressed this.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🤯 Vets and pet store retailers will tell you all about the dental diets + chews on the market, and how they clean the teeth and prevent plaque and tartar build up. Sadly, this just isn’t true. In fact, kibble is one of the biggest causes of dental disease.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍪 A dog consuming dry dog food to keep their teeth clean is equivalent to humans eating Jatz crackers without brushing or flossing. Unlike humans, your dog’s jaw does not move from side to side - they simply crunch and swallow. There is no teeth cleaning action from this, specifically at the gum line where it really matters.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🦠 Kibble is also made up of unnaturally high amounts of carbohydrates + starches that convert into simple sugars, which grow and harbour bad bacteria inside your dog’s mouth. Dogs are unable to break down carbohydrates in their mouth as they lack the salivary enzyme, amylase. This essentially attracts plaque and tartar to stick to their teeth and gums. This is how bad doggy breath starts!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🦷 Most dogs that are fed kibble from puppyhood end up having a dental clean by the age of one year and dental disease by the age of three years. A recent study by Australian Vet Dr Tom Lonsdale demonstrated that raw fed dogs showed signs of dental diseases when fed with kibble for only 17 days.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🤔 So, what can you do instead to maintain your dog’s pearly whites?
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🥩 1. Feed a balanced species-appropriate diet that is high in meat and low in carbohydrates i.e. cooked or raw. Raw meat contains specific live enzymes that destroy any dangerous bacteria forming in your dog’s mouth.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🪥 2. Brush your dog’s teeth. This may be harder for pet parents who have never desensitised their pups to brushing but it’s worth trying. Simply use coconut oil on your finger or a gentle toothbrush and away you go.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🦴 Raw meaty bones - nature’s toothbrush. They are perfectly abrasive enough to scrape any plaque or tartar that is hanging around. If you’re unsure what type of bone, pick one that is suited to your dog’s size and chewing style. You can source most bones from the supermarket, butcher, pet store or raw dog food supplier. Always supervise your dog when feeding bones and avoid weight bearing bones like marrow bones.
💊 4. Dental supplements - there is a specific dental seaweed product that you can add daily into your dog’s food for maintenance of oral hygiene. You can buy online or from some pet stores.
👆🏼 Keep in mind that if your dog already has bad plaque and tartar build up, you must get a dental clean done at your vet’s first. Dental and gum disease is often overlooked yet is so painful and can be very serious for dogs. Please keep on top of this!
🤓 Like everything I advocate, I ask you to consider - What. Makes. Sense. Question everything!
