Choosing the right dental chew for your canine companion can be daunting. There are many choices, and unfortunately, many of them may lead to dental trauma instead of benefiting the dentition. For many dogs, chewing can trigger happiness and is considered a source of enrichment. When deciding on a chew object, it is essential to understand the tooth anatomy of a dog, which is of a carnivore design.
Dentition Anatomy
Dogs are born with 42 teeth, 10 more than humans and 12 more than cats. Additionally, dogs have 5-10 times LESS enamel than humans. Dogs have less enamel than humans due to their primarily meat-eating design. Most teeth in the canine mouth are conical in shape for ripping and shredding with minimal chewing. As a comparison, most human teeth have a flat, occlusal surface for chewing due to omnivore eating habits.
Chewing behavior
This author presumes that as domestication began in canids, they would remain closer to humans as a mutualistic relationship developed. Humans would provide food scraps, most likely bones. A tradition of assuming bones as an eating preference became common. With a fresh kill in wild canids, the first dietary choice is organ meat, which has the most significant nutritional yield. The second choice is skeletal meet. The third choice, or ‘leftovers’ would be fresh bones for marrow. Wild, carnivorous animals who break their teeth may be unable to hunt as effectively as with a complete set of intact teeth. Unfortunately, in the wild, this may lead to suffering and demise. Although any tooth may experience dental trauma, the most commonly seen fractured teeth are the canine (fang) teeth and the carnassial (shearing) teeth.
Chew toys
Many oral toys and chews in pet and grocery stores have been unintentionally designed to break teeth. A rule of thumb is that if you believe the product will break your teeth, it can hurt your dog’s teeth. Following this guideline eliminates bones, antlers, Nyla bones, marrow bones, frozen meat, bully sticks, and rawhides as suitable options. It is also important to note that some dogs chew more enthusiastically than others. The degree of this enthusiastic chewing will also impact the incidence of dental trauma. The more aggressive chews will be more likely to suffer tooth trauma.
How to choose a dental chew?
Rubber and cloth products cause minimal tooth trauma and are generally safe to offer under direct supervision. A rule of thumb is that if you can create an indentation in the chew object with a fingernail, it is most likely safe. Examples of dental chews that can benefit oral health include Virbac Veggiedent chews, Greenies, and Pedigree Dentastix. Carrots and green beans are great natural options. New dental chew products are constantly becoming available, and a one-size-fits-all approach does not benefit all dogs. If your dog is an enthusiastic chewer, encourage additional enrichment activities such as food puzzles and sniff mats. A peanut butter-filled kong is an excellent option for oral enrichment and play.
Additional Resources
The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) provides a list of products intended to minimize plaque accumulation on teeth. Information can be found on their website: http://www.vohc.org
Chewing is a natural behavior, but it is important to foster this behavior to promote tooth health and avoid dental trauma. Treatment options for fractured teeth depend upon the severity of the trauma. If the tooth fracture involves exposure of the pulp cavity, the two primary treatment options are root canal therapy and extraction therapy. If the tooth fracture does not affect the pulp cavity, then an odontoplasty and bonded sealant procedure is often recommended. The latter consists of smoothing the fracture site and applying a dental resin to protect the underlying tooth structure from sensitivity and infection.
Please do not hesitate to contact our office with questions about dental chews, chew toys, or oral care for your canine companion.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (9/13/2024) Image by Lenka Novotná from Pixabay