How to Pick the Right Dental Chew for Your Dog
Are you looking for an easy way to keep your dog’s breath fresh? Well, it’s not easy trying to find a new product when there are thousands of options on the market. It’s like this with everything when it comes to our pets; choosing the right food, treats, toys, medications, and other supplies for your dog can take hours if you don’t know what to look for. However, we’ve got some tips for you that might make the decision a little bit easier.
Look for Brands That Don’t Contain Very Many Ingredients
While you’re thoroughly scanning store shelves, keep your eyes peeled for these brands. They have the least amount of chemicals, and very few ingredients. The elements that are included in these dental chews happen to contain safe, every day ingredients that won’t cause allergic reactions or make your dog sick.
Natural Balance Dental Chews are also very healthy and nontoxic to dogs. These dental treats offer similar ingredients such as potato starch, glycerin, and lecithin. Natural Balance also contains duck meal, but even though it isn’t vegan, it’s a highly rated and effective product. If you decide you don’t like either of these and want to try something different for your dogs, no problem! Just make sure that whatever brand you go with still has quality ingredients that won’t harm your pet.
Check Online Reviews
If you put your faith in anyone, it should be other consumers just like you! Although most companies do their best to be honest and forthcoming with their customers, it doesn’t account for unintended defects. The popular and often purchased Greenies brand is a good example of why you should check reviews. The total response from all customers on the Consume Affairs website amounts to a dismal 1.5 stars. The main reason for this is due to several reports sent in from pet owners whose dog experienced vomiting, diarrhea, and a general decline in their pets’ mood. Any product from the Hartz brand is also frowned upon by members of the dog lover community as well because of the severe damage some of their products have caused to people’s animals.
Find Out If the Brand Has Had Any Recalls
Being a dog owner is hard, we want to be sure we’re getting the very best for our pets. If you’ve checked reviews and revised the ingredients but you still aren’t sure whether to buy a certain brand, just look out for recalls. In 2006, a recall was made for Greenies products because 13 dogs had died after consuming them; the dental chews had become obstructed inside their intestines. The Greenies were too durable and didn’t break down in the stomach, since then the company has worked toward improving the ingredient ratio. While Natural Balance dog food has been recalled, the dental treats have never been removed from shelves.
Ultimately, just try to find a chew that your dog enjoys and won’t harm their bodies. If you’re giving them dental chews consistently, you should see a difference in the color of their teeth and the smell of their breath. Whatever you get should serve as a supplemental way to improve your dog’s dental hygiene, and never as a replacement!
