Do you have difficulty brushing your dog’s teeth? Are you unable to find a dental chew that your dog can’t chew in less than a minute? Dental toys for dogs may be able to help.
This post will look at what dental toys for dogs are, how they work, and what to look for when choosing a dental toy for your dog.
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Related: Best Dog Dental Spray For Cleaner Teeth, Best Dental Water Additive For Your Pup, Best Grain Free Dental Chews For Your Dog, Best Dog Toothbrush For A Clean Mouth
What Are Dental Toys For Dogs?
Dental toys for dogs are toys that are designed to help clean your dog’s teeth while they chew on them.
How Do Dental Toys For Dogs Work?
Dental toys work by having nubs and ridges on them that scrub your dog’s teeth as they chew on the toy. This in turn helps to decrease the formation of plaque and tartar on your dog’s teeth.
Who Are Dental Toys Good For?
Dental toys can benefit all dogs, but can be helpful for:
- Dogs that won’t let you brush their teeth due to fear or anxiety.
- Pups that devour dental chews quickly, thus defeating the purpose of a dental chew.
- Dogs that love to chew.
- Pups that need extra help fighting the buildup of plaque and tartar on their teeth.
Do Dental Dog Toys Work?
Dental dog toys can help with decreasing the formation and buildup of plaque on your dog’s teeth, however, they do not provide the same level of cleanness as good as brushing your dog’s teeth will.
Dental toys for dogs can be a great companion to brushing your dog’s teeth, providing extra cleaning when chewed.
They can also benefit your dog when brushing is just not possible for your dog for whatever reason.
How Do I Keep My Dog’s Teeth Clean Without Brushing?
If brushing your dog’s teeth is just not in the cards for you and your dog, dental toys for dogs can be a great option.
You can also supplement dental toys with dental bones and chews. Dental bones and chews act in a similar way as dental toys, only these are treats your dog eats that have nubs and ridges to clean your dog’s teeth while they eat it. The problem with dental bones and chews is that your dog may not like the flavor, they can be allergic or sensitive to any of the ingredients, and some dogs chew them up in no time, reducing the amount of time the nubs and ridges have to clean their teeth.
What Are The Pros Of Using Dental Toys For Dogs?
Pros of using dental toys for dogs include:
- Lasts longer than a dental chew.
- Readily available when your dog feels the need to chew.
- Decreased likelihood your dog will be allergic to it.
- No calories to worry about.
- Satisfies a dog’s desire to chew.
- Can distract your dog from destructive behavior.
What Are The Cons?
- Don’t clean your dog’s teeth as well as if you brushed them.
- Your dog may ingest pieces of the dental toy, which they shouldn’t do.
- The rubbing action of the dental toy can affect more than their teeth. Our dog had a favorite dental toy and the constant rubbing action actually affected the pigment on her face! When we took the toy away, the pigment returned after a few weeks.
What Should I Look For When Choosing A Dental Toy For Dogs?
When searching for the right dental toy for your dog, here are a few things to look for:
Size
Choose a toy that is the right size for your dog.
Nubs and Ridges
Make sure there are nubs and ridges on the toy to help scrub your dog’s teeth. If your dog is an aggressive chewer, look for toys where the nubs are unable to be chewed off and ingested.
Material
Dental toys should be firm but not too hard on your dog’s teeth, for risk of damaging them.
Flavor
Some dental toys have a flavor to them. Look for one that comes in a flavor your dog would like to chew.
What Is The Best Chew Toy For Cleaning Dogs Teeth?
The best dental toy for cleaning your dog’s teeth should be:
- Firm enough for your dog to chew without hurting their teeth.
- Durable enough to stay in one piece without your dog chewing pieces of it off or ingesting any part of it.
- Textured with plenty of ridges and nubs to rub your dog’s teeth while they chew it.
Best Dental Toys For Dogs
Here are 5 examples of dental toys for dogs. Product information is according to the manufacturer.
Always supervise your dog when using dental toys.
BetterBone Tough
This dental toy is hypoallergenic and designed for aggressive chewers.
- Available in two sizes,
- Hypoallergenic,
- No added flavors.
- Designed for aggressive chewers.
- Promotes dental hygiene with three dental ends: nubs, ridges, and smoothe.
- Helps eliminate plaque and stimulate gums.
- Made with food grade ingredients.
- Made of wood fibers and sugarcane oil.
- All natural.
- Non-toxic.
- Paraben free.
- BPA and phthalate free.
- Splinter resistant.
- Made in Croatia, which means they adhere to EU standards.
Nylabone Power Chew Textured Chew Toy
This toy is made of nylon and is chicken flavored.
- Ridges and nubs help to clean teeth.
- Made of nylon.
- Prevents plaque and tartar build up.
- Made in the USA.
BeneBone Dental Chew Toy
This dental toy comes in multiple sizes and flavors.
- Available in various sizes.
- Comes in different flavors.
- Contains teeth cleaning ridges.
- Made in the USA.
Kong Dental Dog Toy
This toy can be filled with extra treats to keep your dog occupied for longer.
- Available in multiple sizes.
- Can be filled with snacks.
- Made of rubber.
- Denta-ridges clean teeth and soothe gums.
- Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients.
Jolly Pets Tuff Treader Dog Toy
This dental toy is dishwasher safe and can also be filled with extra treats.
- Available in two sizes.
- Made of rubber.
- Raised surfaces to clean teeth.
- Can be filled with treats.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Made in the USA.
Dental toys for dogs are a great option to add to your dog’s oral care routine. They can keep your dog occupied, satisfy their desire to chew and clean their teeth at the same time.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.