What Natural Treats Are Good for Dogs' Teeth?

The snacks your dog consumes greatly impact their life-long dental health, which, in turn, affects their immune system.

So, anything in your furry baby's diet should be natural and free of fillers, preservatives, artificial flavours, and by-products.

What to Feed Dogs for Good Teeth

Most dogs have an aversion to teeth brushing. Some run as soon as the toothbrush makes an appearance, while others sulk for hours after having their teeth brushed.

On most days, getting the dog to keep still long enough to give their teeth a good clean is a challenge.

Thankfully, there are plenty of natural treats that can help keep your furry baby's pearly whites in top condition and reduce your stress triggered by brushing time.

Below is our list of the best natural foods for dogs of all sizes that promote oral health and help keep their teeth clean.

▪ Raw Meaty Bones

Feeding your dog raw bones is a great way to clean their teeth and satisfy their urge to bite and chew at the same time.

Given that you pick bones in the right size (bigger pieces for adult dogs and smaller ones for small dogs), they will help scrape off plaque and keep the gums healthy. 

Unlike cooked bones, raw bones don't splinter, so the chances of sharp pieces getting stuck in your dog's throat are minimal. These bones also contain enzymes and probiotics that help maintain an optimal balance of bacterial flora in the dog's mouth 

Additionally, raw bones provide a calcium boost to support bone growth and strengthen your dog's teeth and jaw.

That said, you must always supervise your furry baby when they are chewing bones. Make sure they don't gnaw on it too aggressively or attempt to break it into pieces. Also, if you can't find fresh, raw bones for your pup, you can look for air-dried or freeze-dried bones. 

▪ Frozen Berries

Blueberries, cranberries, and raspberries are rich in a compound called non-dialysable material (NDM), which helps prevent plaque formation. 

One study confirmed that cranberries are rich in tannins and flavonoids, which prevent problematic bacteria from sticking to gums and teeth. Another research revealed that these compounds could avoid the acid formation and minimize tooth decay. 

If you've never fed frozen berries to your dog, it's best to start with just one or two. Check stools to ensure proper digestion. If there are no hiccups throughout the week, you can increase the number of berries to 4 per 30 pounds of dog. Feed every three to five days for best results. 

▪ Crunchy Vegetables

Crunchy vegetables make great dental treats for dogs. Here are our three favourites: 

Carrots – raw carrots aren't only tasty but also provide a nutritional punch of vitamin A and beta-carotene. They are also low in calories. Crunching on carrots will help remove plaque from the dog's teeth. Beta-carotene is also believed to prevent cataracts and other eye diseases in canines.  

Cucumbers – sliced cucumber, when fed moderately, is an excellent source of potassium. This essential mineral supports kidney health. Thanks to the crunchy texture, cucumber also helps clean a dog's teeth and prevent tooth decay.  

Celery – celery sticks make a quick, easy, and healthy dog treat that's easy on the wallet. They are a solid source of fiber, riboflavin, folate, and vitamins A, C, and K.  

You can cut these raw vegetables into chunks or sticks for easy chewing. Make sure you feed in moderation as a healthy treat to not overwhelm your dog's digestive system.

▪ Sweet Potato Chews

If you have a toaster oven at home, you can make delicious sweet potato chews for your furry baby in less than 10 minutes. 

All you have to do is grab a raw sweet potato and cut thin slices with the skin on. Place them on a cookie sheet and bake at 2500F for three hours.

Packed with vitamins and fiber, sweet potatoes make a nutritional treat for dogs that promotes their overall well-being while keeping their teeth clean and healthy.  

▪ Yogurt and Kefir

These milk-based products contain healthy bacteria that help prevent the growth of bad bacteria in your dog's mouth, reducing the risk of inflammation and gum diseases. 

Yogurt and kefir are also rich in probiotics, which are essential for the gut and immune system health. However, since they contain lactose, adult or senior dogs may struggle to digest them. In that case, you must feed no more than a teaspoon a day while monitoring your dog's condition. If all is well after a few days, you can start giving a full tablespoon daily.

Important: commercially prepared yogurt sold in supermarkets often contains an artificial sweetener called xylitol, which is toxic for dogs. Make sure you check the ingredients every time you buy from a mart to ensure the yogurt doesn't have xylitol or added sugar. Always go for plain, unflavored, and unsweetened yogurt.

4 Natural Treats That Won't Ruin Your Dog's Teeth

Besides crunchy vegetables, berries, raw bones, and other natural foods, you can feed your dog biscuit treats in their favorite flavors without worrying about ruining their dental health if you buy from Pet Expertise. We offer a variety of dog treats made from 100% natural ingredients to keep your furry baby's teeth in good shape.

⮚   Our Jones Organic Chicken Dog Treats are a top choice for dog parents whose furry babies love the taste of chicken. These treats feature a blend of organic chicken, brown rice, barley and oat flour, molasses, and dried cultured skim milk, among other natural ingredients. They don't contain corn, soy, wheat, or artificial flavors.

⮚  Our Cloud Star Chewy Tricky Trainers in Cheddar Flavor contain organic, easily digestible ingredients. With 0% gluten, grain, corn, wheat, egg, and soy content, these make the perfect training treats for dogs of all sizes. Your furry baby will love the cheesy flavor and the soft, chewy texture of these treats.

⮚  Our Cloud Star Chewy Tricky Trainers in Peanut Butter Flavor provide the goodness of peanut butter, maple syrup, tapioca starch, potato flour, and chickpea flour. Besides being easily digestible, these homestyle treats are free of grains, gluten, preservatives, and artificial flavors. Thanks to the no egg, wheat, soy, and corn content, these treats promise to treat your dog's teeth well. 

⮚   Lickin' Good! Liquid Dog Treat for Dog Training is a great liquid treat that comes in powder form in a refillable bottle. You can choose between Chicken Liver and Dehydrated Non-Fat Yogurt flavors.