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239 results for “dental chew”
Is a Dog’s Double Row of Teeth Caused by Calcium Deficiency?
Calcium deficiency isn't the only cause, but it matters—calcium aids tooth growth, and low levels can leave baby teeth in place. Small breeds with tight jaws (Boston, Boxer, Chihuahua) and dogs on soft food without chewing are also prone. Fix it with good diet, chew toys, and, if needed, extraction.
What to do if a dog’s tartar is severe and the tooth roots are rotten?
Have the vet extract the bad teeth and clean out necrotic roots to prevent inflammation; also check and scale other teeth. At home, brush regularly and use chew toys, gels, and similar products.
Should Rotten Teeth in Senior Dogs Be Extracted? Risks and Aftercare
Rotten teeth in senior dogs cause constant pain and can let oral bacteria spread through the blood to the heart, kidneys, and liver. Severely decayed or infected teeth are usually best extracted. Before surgery, run bloodwork, biochemistry, and a heart ultrasound to plan safe anesthesia; recovery takes about 7–10 days with soft food and mouth care.
Why Does Your Kitten Smell Bad? Check These 5 Spots
Cats are clean and rarely smell even without baths; a persistent odor points to a cause. Teething or dental disease (tartar, gingivitis) gives a sulfur smell; ear mites, poor digestion, or impacted anal glands add odor; and a cat that won't self-groom in a dirty home (uncleaned litter, moldy bed, poor airflow) becomes an 'odor magnet.' Check the mouth, gut, anal glands, ears, and environment.
What Causes Periodontitis in Cats?
Poor oral hygiene and a wet-food diet are the main drivers of feline periodontitis: leftover food turns into plaque and tartar that inflame the gum and deeper tissues. Brush regularly, feed tooth-friendly dry food, and for mild cases try at-home care such as saline rinses and an antibacterial oral spray.
Caring for Senior Cats and Dogs: A Stage-by-Stage Longevity Plan
Cats and dogs are considered senior at around age 7, when metabolism slows and organ function begins to decline. With staged, careful care, companion pets can live an average of 2–3 years longer. This guide breaks senior care into three phases—ages 7–9, 10–12, and 13 and up—covering diet adjustments, weight control, dental and joint support, stress avoidance, and a sensible checkup schedule. The goal is not expensive supplements but steady, calm, well-planned daily care.
Dry or Wet Cat Food: Which Is Better? (Most Owners Pick Wrong)
Neither dry nor wet food is absolutely better; it depends on the cat. A healthy adult can follow a "dry in the morning, wet in the evening" rule, meeting nutrition and water needs while avoiding spoilage. Special cases, senior cats with poor teeth, 2-3 month kittens, and cats with urinary disease, should lean toward wet food. The catch: long-term wet feeding needs extra dental care. Dry food is convenient, cheap, and helps scrape teeth but is only ~5% moisture and calorie-dense, raising dehydration and obesity risk. Wet food is 70-80% moisture, tastier, and nutrient-rich but costs more, spoils fast, and leaves more residue on teeth.
Can You Brush Your Dog’s Teeth With Human Toothpaste?
Never brush a dog's teeth with human toothpaste. Many human formulas contain ingredients toxic to dogs, especially fluoride and xylitol. Dogs swallow the foam instead of rinsing, so toxins build up: fluoride can cause vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, and over time kidney and nerve damage, while xylitol is far worse, just 0.1 g per kg of body weight triggers severe low blood sugar and 0.5 g/kg can cause acute liver failure. Mint flavors also make dogs resist brushing. Use a pet toothpaste (look for VOHC approval), brush at least three times a week, and see a vet for red, bleeding gums or worsening breath, which may mean periodontitis.
What to Do About Bad Dog Breath
Bad breath often starts in the mouth, but it can also signal metabolic disease. Check the teeth for tartar, inflamed gums, or ulcers, and watch for sudden appetite or thirst changes that warrant a vet visit. Daily or thrice-weekly brushing with pet toothpaste, plus professional cleaning, keeps breath fresh.
What happens if a dog eats raw meat?
Eating raw meat can expose a dog to bacteria and parasites, causing abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea; pet probiotics and regular deworming help, and severe vomiting needs a vet. Too much raw meat also drives obesity and stresses the liver and pancreas, so a kibble-based diet with occasional boiled chicken, egg yolk, and chews is safer.