A Fun Way For Your Dog to Clean their teeth
Dogs have become humanity’s best friends over the years. And as more people adopt them and make them a member of their family, pet care has also become vital. Now more than ever, people are paying an appropriate amount of attention to their pets, making sure they don’t develop health-related issues. In this article, we will discuss a common yet often-overlooked aspect of pet health—dental care.
It’s an irrefutable fact that dogs have spent hundreds of years with no means to pay attention to their teeth and gums, but so did humans. Studies show that hundreds of pet dogs fall victim to painful gum diseases every year, and a small effort on dog owner can help prevent that. And that effort is, investing a few pennies in dog dental chew toys and dog teeth cleaning toys.
Teeth Cleaning Toys VS Traditional Brushing
Let’s be honest—most dogs hate it when we brush their teeth. It has been a complaint of dog owners for years. But as dental health is essential, it begs the question— what is the best way to clean dogs’ teeth without brushing? Is it even possible that a product exists that can effectively clean your pet’s teeth, and your pet will voluntarily let it happen (we all know how much most dogs hate the toothbrush-torture session you give them)?
While traditional brushing pretty much forces you to do the cleaning and hope for the best, toys are a better idea as they work on their own. Moreover, research has shown that the bristles on a typical toothbrush aren’t precisely the best thing you should be using to clean your dog’s tooth as it has the potential to overdo the job (which can make their teeth more sensitive) and even hurt their gums.
A toy is not just the best way to clean dogs’ teeth and prevent tartar buildup without brushing them yourself. It is a solution that works on its own as your dog will use it to play at least once every day.
Designed intricately, some of these toys work even better by not just cleaning plaque but massaging your pet’s gums as well. Traditional brushing focuses on the teeth but forgets that gum health is just as important. As such, these toys turn out to be more comprehensive than your everyday toothbrush for your dog’s oral hygiene.
How to Tell if Dental Toys is Safe for Your Dog?
There are a lot of dental toys for dog out there on the market today. They come in all shapes, sizes, and compositions. To make sure your dog dental hygiene plan doesn’t backfire by him swallowing the toy’s parts or destroying a new one every week, let’s talk about some considerations when it comes to picking the perfect best chew toys for dogs teeth.
The materials should be safe for dog’s chewing.
Know the build materials well. You should avoid buying dental toy with complex structures that tend to break into smaller parts with moderate force. Your dog won’t be having any mercy on the toy. The last thing you want is for him to swallow a piece accidentally. However, with that being aid, chews for smaller dogs and puppies need to have more of a “give” to them to prevent injury to the dog’s teeth. Natural rubber-made toys—and some toys that fuse some other material with natural rubber—do the job well.
The second thing you should consider is the paint job and if there are any harmful chemicals used in that. Both of these things can be cleared out instantly by doing a google search or having a talk with the vendor.
Just remember—your dog will be playing with the dog toy roughly and chewing it. So, you don’t want him to hurt his teeth and you don’t want the toy to have any toxic material that can prove harmful for your dog’s digestion.
What You Should Consider When Choosing Dog Dental Chew Toys?
Step 1: Notice the toy's designed to clean teeth properly.
Bristles aren’t everything. There are always dental toys out there that have looks but not the works, and there are ones that have great bristles, but they aren’t able to clean out the junk properly. You need a toy that is made by a certified vendor and has a comfortable design and fun to use yet as effective as possible. Some vendors have their own patented ridges or bristles that claim to do the job well. Just make sure to ask around, if possible. Look for reviews before you buy any toy.
Remember—the best way to keep dogs’ teeth clean is to get a toy your dog can easily chew on and enjoy, which brings us to the next point.
Step 2: Figure out if your dog is a lover, a fighter, or a magician.
“Chewing on things” is an essential part of a dog’s character. As such, there are three kinds of dogs—lovers, fighters, and magicians. Learn how to make the distinction before you move on to choosing a toy for your dog dental cleaning routine.
Lovers
These soft, sensitive sweethearts like to respect their chews and give them enough time and attention. They want to nibble on things and savor their treats with patience.
Fighters
These warriors like to declare an all-out war on whatever they wish to conquer. Destructive chewing with ferocity, they keep breaking parts of toys. And while they might not inhale the pieces, their dedication towards absolute destruction can’t be understated.
Magicians
The only difference between fighter doggies and magicians remain that magicians like to make parts of toys—and often, entire toys—disappear. They can often gulp down their chews. They choke on treats and eat chunks of their toys often.
Step 3: Cater to your dog's personality.
Now that you have a good understanding of your dog’s personality. You can use the list below to pick dog dental chew toys that will be safe for them.
Lovers
Since they are harmless babies, most toys work well. Toys made from rubber and ropes—all of them suit lovers well. Toys made from silica gel materials and Nylon would do as well.
Fighters
For these sons of the gods (dogs) of war, we recommend you only go with rubber toys as they have enough flexibility to withstand the chewing.
Magicians
It would be best if you used toys that are less likely to break into small pieces. While rubber and plastic toys will work, try to pay attention to the overall shape (circular or oval is preferred).
The Best Dog Teeth Cleaning Toys
KONG Dental Dog Toy
Your dog’s instinctual needs are to crunch and destroy, which is precisely what this toy facilitates. Designed for cleaning teeth thoroughly, this dog dental cleaning toy by Kong Dental is made by their signature natural red rubber formula.
The dog teeth cleaning toy has grooves that help clean the dog’s teeth with the right amount of accuracy. All you have to do is fill the inside of the toy with your dog’s favorite treat, or for the best result, you could add a dental treat, and voila!
Key features of Kong Dental Dog Toy:
- This toy has “Denta-Ridges,” which are patented by Kong Dental, and you won’t find them on other toys. These ridges help take care of gum health as well.
- The natural red rubber formula by Kong Dental makes this toy extremely durable.
- You can stuff these dog teeth cleaning toys with your dog’s favorite snacks and clean them with ease.
- Suitable for large dogs (30-65 lbs.)
- Manufactured in the U.S.
Benebone Real Bacon Durable Dental Dog Toy for Aggressive Chewers
If your dog is an aggressive chewer, giving him many toys can easily backfire as he might break them apart eventually; and swallow bits you don’t want him to. Picking a chew toy for such a dog is always a challenge.
Most dog teeth cleaning toys aren’t made to handle aggressive chewing daily. They break apart, and your dog can ingest the pieces. The Benebone Real Bacon solves that problem, and it becomes the best way to clean dogs’ teeth without brushing if you have a warrior doggo at home. The toy comes in four different sizes and is suitable for small to large dogs (because not all aggressive chewers are large dogs—some Pomeranians are angry as well).
Key features of Benebone Real Bacon Durable Dental Dog Chew Toy:
- The toy has well-crafted stimulating ridges that aid precision-cleaning of teeth.
- Made using Nylon, this toy is flavored using real bacon. This flavor entices the dogs and invites them to chew—and consequently—clean their teeth.
- This toy comes in different sizes—so if your puppy likes it, it can become his lifelong chew-time partner!
- The toy is slightly curved to allow a better paw-grip. Your dog will love this!
- This toy is tougher and more durable than real bones.
Arm & Hammer Super Treadz Gorilla and Gator Dental Toys for Dogs
This toy is unique in every sense of the word. Strong enough to withstand aggressive chewers, this rubber toy is somewhat of a luxurious item for your pet because of the different things it holds within.
Key features of Arm & Hammer Super Treadz Gorilla and Gator Dental Chewing Toys:
- The rubber body of the toy is infused with baking soda, which doesn’t just help clean teeth but also to keep breath as fresh as possible, taking dog dental cleaning to the next level.
- The toy is extremely durable.
- It comes in different variants.
- This toy has an in-built treat dispenser that keeps your dog interested in chewing. The more they chew, the more they are rewarded with treats.
Bojafa Best Dog Teething Toys Balls
These balls have been viral on the internet for a long time, and for the right reason. The design is innovative yet straightforward (a ball is a favorite toy for any dog out there, which makes this an attractive toy for many pets). The build material is natural rubber, and the durability is off the charts.
Key features of Bojafa Best Dog Teething Toys Balls:
- Unlike most dog teeth cleaning toys, this one comes lightly scented with mint (to keep your dog’s breath fresh) and has cross-sections on its body to help prevent tartar buildup and plaque depositions on the teeth.
- The toy can be stuffed with your dog’s favorite snacks that keep dispensing as they keep roughhousing the ball.
- It comes in different sizes—so it doesn’t matter if you have a Pomeranian or a Labrador; this is the perfect playtime accessory for them. This is one of the best chewing toys for teething puppies.
Hartz Chew 'n Clean Bacon Flavored Dog Chewing Toy
If your dog loves bacon, which most dogs do, this is a toy he will relish for a long time. It is designed like a bone; this toy has nub sections running down the middle that help clean teeth, massage gums, and prevent plaque build-up. Made from a mix of Nylon and Polyurethane, this toy’s multi-textured surface makes it an excellent fit for dogs who are mild-moderate chewers. This dog dental chewing toy isn’t the ideal toy for an aggressive chewer.
Key features of Hartz Chew ‘n Clean Bacon Flavored Dog Chewing Toy:
- It made using Nylon and polyurethane, which makes this dog dental chew toy a perfect combination of strong and durable.
- The toy has a bacon scent that makes it irresistible for dogs to crunch on. So, your work is pretty much done.
- While this toy isn’t made for large dogs, the company does have a “Tuff Bone” ideal for dogs weighing 50-75lbs.
PetSafe Busy Buddy Bristle Bone
This dog toothbrush toy is hands down one of the most innovative dog teeth cleaning toys out there on the market today—and it works wonders for your pet’s dental hygiene!
This toy has three different sections with other structures to tend to all the areas of your dog’s dental hygiene routine.
The toy has bristles that are ideal for preventing tartar and plaque from depositing on the teeth in the middle. It also has rings that can be refilled with treats to keep your dog interested.
Moving outward, it has nubs that also help massage their gums. On top of it all, the durability is top-notch, which makes it ideal for aggressive chewers.
This is a dog teeth cleaning toy for teeth hygiene and dental health.
Key features of PetSafe Busy Buddy:
- The dog dental toy acts like a toothbrush and a gum massager, an excellent idea for the ideal pet toy.
- The build quality is exceptional. The toy is made using heavy-duty rubber and Nylon.
- The toy is 100% safe for your dog to chew on, with no artificial flavoring. It’s made from BPA-free, non-toxic materials.
- It’s dishwasher-safe and easy to clean, despite the complex structure.
GOCHANGE Dog Chewing Toys
This toy is more than just an ordinary ball for your dog to play with. It can be used as a training kit, and it’s ideal for dogs who have a habit of chewing anything that they can get their paws on.
If you have a hyperactive dog, this toy can help him blow off some steam without chewing the house down. The ball has nubs on it, which are great for cleaning teeth.
A braided rope runs through the ball and is connected to a suction cup, which can be placed on any glass, wooden, and tile surface.
As your dog struggles to win the tug-of-war with the toy, he will also be cleaning his teeth, strengthening his gums, and having a good, old-time!
Key features of GOCHANGE Dog Toys:
- Suitable for puppies as well as dogs up to 40 pounds.
- Suitable for soft as well as aggressive chewers.
- It provides excellent exercise and cleans teeth thoroughly.
- It can be stuffed with your dog’s favorite treats.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered
Even after reading your fill about all the best dog water fountains there still must be those nagging questions at the back of your mind. Here are a couple answered for you:
Manufactured from materials ranging from Nylon to Rubber, dog teeth cleaning toys help you feed your dog while simultaneously taking care of their dental health. They are designed like toys, and these chews often have compartments you can use to store dog treats. Working as a reward-system, your dog will have to chew the toy to get the gift.
The toys often have bristles or nubs or similar structures that usually stand in the way of the dog and the treat. As they wrestle with the toy to get the treat, these structures massage their gums and clean their teeth.
Some of the best chew toys for dogs’ teeth take things to the next level with bacon scents and other scents that don’t even require you to put treats in. Additionally, some of them come with gels and scents that even help refresh your dog’s breath.
The best way to keep dogs’ teeth clean is to let them do it themselves and in a fun way. This is what brought these toys to existence. These toys have nubs and even bristles that clean the teeth of your pet better than you can with a toothbrush. As the dog tries to destroy the toy to get the treat in it virtually, the bristles on the toy are getting in between his teeth, removing any plaque, tartar, and bits of food that might eventually lead to tooth decay. Moreover, it helps them chew actively and massages gums, which improves the blood flow to the gums and promotes overall dental health.
These dental chews work well due to their innovative structures and because they are toys. Your dog plays, and the dental cleaning work gets done automatically. It’s not only a practical solution, and it’s sustainable as well.
Some dog teeth cleaning toys come scented with mint. You can find a lot of variants that help promote fresh breath right alongside dental health. Some dental chew toys come with a gel that helps keep your dog’s breath smelling fresh.
There are a few non-toxic, safe ingredients like gels and scents that are used in chew toys to give your pet a refreshing chewing experience.
There are a lot of chew toys available for nibblers and puppies out there. These are usually more flexible (to avoid damage to your dog’s teeth or tooth fracture) and tinier than usual variants. But in short, the answer is yes! It’s never too late or too early to start worrying about the dental hygiene of your pet.
Just like humans, they need something to keep their teeth free from tartar and plaque build-up as well. So, if you want, you can look for a tiny dental chew toy that your puppy will like and let him have the wonders of nibbling and playing with it!
Summary / Conclusion
As we said at the beginning of the article, humans went for hundreds of years without dental care. But eventually, we realized that we needed it to avoid pain and to suffer down the line. Your pet is no different. Just like your dog needs a bath now and then, dental hygiene needs to be a part of his everyday life.
And while we used conventional toothbrushes to get the job done for a long time. It wasn’t always the best idea as it’s been proven time and again that toothbrushes can hurt the dog’s gums and even over-do the job on their teeth, eventually making them more sensitive.
Nevertheless, now, we have a better solution—dog teeth cleaning toys. We hope that this article gave you practical insight into how these toys are made, how safe they are to use, and what to look for in the market, according to the size and temperament of your dog. We wish your good boy or girl the best chewing time ever, and the luxury of great dental health!
