Are Dental Chews Bad for Dogs? Choose Healthy Alternatives
When it comes to cleaning your dog’s teeth, not many of us have a pooch who is willing to let you in with a toothbrush and dog toothpaste on a regular basis. In order to avoid the stressing out of your dog (and yourself!) many of us buy dental chews as a way of minimising plaque and helping to keep our dog’s breath fresh.
But…
What is in a dental chew?
The chews by some of the leading pet food producers are some of the most popular on the market, but are they actually healthy?
The answer is a resounding NO! They certainly are not.
They contain a whole host of worrying and unnatural ingredients that could cause harm to your beloved best friend.
- Sodium Tripolyphosphate – As well as being one of the ingredients in many dental chews, it is also found in detergents and industrial products. It is not something you would ordinarily feed your dog so why would you feed them it as part of a dental chew? It is known to cause vomiting amongst other things.
- Smoke Flavour – One of the reasons why this is included in many unhealthy dog chews is to make them more palatable and to cover up the taste of all the nasty chemicals. There are serious safety concerns over the use of smoke flavouring and it has been suggested that it can cause cancer.
- Potassium Sorbate – This is another hidden ingredient that is used as a preservative. It is potentially very damaging to your dog. It is known to cause skin, eye and respiratory problems and is another ingredient that is carcinogenic.
- Meat and Animal Derivatives – These can be pretty much any part of an animal including their claws. When derivatives are included as an ingredient in dog food there is no labelling requirement for the manufacturer to include what animal the derivatives have come from. This is particularly worrying if your dog has an allergy to certain meats.
- Iron Oxide – This is usually included on the ingredients label as a ‘mineral supplement’. Iron Oxide can cause skin, eye and lung irritations and again has links to cancer.
- Meat Flavour – This is as it says. Chemically treated. A flavour. No real meat.
Natural alternatives are available!
Not all dental chews contain such dangerous ingredients though. There are alternatives available that do the job just as well, without causing potential damage and illness to your dog.
At Dragonfly, we sell a huge range of treats that will clean your dog’s teeth safely and without any dangerous additives.
· Cow Ears
All of these items are excellent, natural ‘dental sticks’. The gnawing and chewing action they encourage helps loosen plaque and keep teeth clean. All our ingredients are 100% natural. They do not contain any additives, flavourings, wheat or yeast. They all originate from within the EU or the UK.
As well as these chews, you can also add a supplement to your dog’s food too. Our Pearly Whites supplement contains seaweed to help keep their tarter under control and their gums healthy.
Our Little Trainers Remedial Training Treats are also perfect as a natural training treat. They are specially formulated to to promote good oral health and fresh breath. Again a safe, tasty and natural alternative.
If you need further advice on which treats will best suit your dog, please feel free to give us a call or visit us in the shop if you are local.
Laura, Dolly & Reggie xxx
Treats and chews to help clean teeth...
- Suitable from 12 weeks+
- Chew rating 2: Requires some effort
- 100% Beef
- Supports Dental Health
- EU sourced
Beef Trachea natural dog treats are superbly chewy making them the perfect choice for aggressive chewers. Our treats are full of natural goodness and a great source of glucosamine. Dogs of all ages just love these treats, and they keep our four-legged friends entertained for hours.
- Suitable from 16 weeks+
- Chew rating 2: Requires some effort
- 100% Pork
- Supports Dental Health
- EU sourced
Our Pig Snouts for dogs are a great alternative to pig ears. They are thick, crunchy and a totally irresistible natural treat for dogs. Pig Snouts are also a great natural dog chew that helps keep teeth clean and good oral health.
- Suitable from 8 weeks+
- Chew rating 1: Quick to eat!
- 100% Whitefish Skin
- Supports Dental Health
- UK produced
Our Whitefish Jerky Mini Bites are a premium 100% natural dog treat, rich in extra vitamins and nutrients found naturally in fish perfect for small to medium dogs and great for taking on walks as training treats.
- Suitable from 10 weeks+
- Chew rating 3: Super tough chew
- 100% Deer Antler
- Supports Dental Health & Teething
- EU sourced
Our shed Deer Antlers for dogs are 100% natural. They are the perfect choice for dogs on low fat diets. Full of minerals and nutrients which includes calcium and phosphorus, these low fat long-lasting dog chews help maintain good oral health.
We also sell Split Deer Antlers which are not quite as long lasting but more gentle on the teeth.
- Suitable from 12 weeks+
- Chew rating 2: Requires some effort
- 100% Beef
- Supports Dental Health
- EU produced
Our Beef Lung healthy natural dog treats are perfect for dogs that love to chew but have difficulty if treats are too hard. Beef Lung treats will entertain your dog for hours. This tasty natural dog chew can be cut into smaller pieces when needed. They have a woody, honeycombed texture that dogs find irresistible.
- Suitable from 8 weeks+
- Chew rating 2: Requires some effort
- 100% Rabbit
- Supports Dental Health & Teething
- EU sourced
Rabbit Ears without fur are the ultimate healthy natural low fat dog treat and a much safer alternative to rawhide chews. Dog of all shapes and sizes love gnawing on these natural dog chews.
- Suitable from 12 weeks+
- Chew rating 3: Super tough chew
- 100% Camel
- Supports Dental Health
- EU sourced
Our Camel Scalp an exceptionally long lasting, low fat, natural healthy treat for dogs of all sizes and a fantastic addition to our Exotics Range. Our Camel Scalp is available in 15cm (approximately) sticks which vary in size and weight due to the natural drying process.
- Suitable from 12 weeks+
- Chew rating 3: Super tough chew
- 100% Beef
- Supports Dental Health
- EU sourced
Three pizzles braided together to form a monster natural dog treat that keeps your pet happy and amused for hours. Our Bully Braids are the ultimate natural healthy treats for dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes. Available in 15cm (6") and 23cm (9").
- Suitable from 12 weeks+
- Chew rating 2: Requires some effort
- Contains Fur
- Supports Natural Worming
- EU sourced
Furry Rabbit Ears natural treats for dogs are the ultimate low fat, healthy treats that large and small dogs love to gnaw on. Offered once or twice a week to your dog, Furry Rabbit Ears will help stay on top of intestinal worm problems. We recommend combining these natural dog treats with our Worm Count Kit every 6-12 months to monitor for worms.
- Suitable from 16 weeks+
- Chew rating 3: Super tough chew
- 100% Pork
- Supports Dental Health
- EU produced
Pig’s ears are a long lasting, natural alternative to dental sticks and chews. Our pig’s ears are air dried, not roasted or fried, which keeps the flavour totally natural and are great source of protein for your dog.
- Suitable from 16 weeks+
- Chew rating 2: Requires some effort
- 100% Whitefish Skin
- Supports Dental Health
- UK produced
Our Fish Jerky Bars are a premium 100% natural dog treat, rich in extra vitamins and nutrients found naturally in fish perfect for medium to large dogs. Perfect as a natural alternative to dental sticks.
- Suitable from 8 weeks+
- Chew rating 3: Super tough chew
- 100% Beef
- Supports Dental Health & Teething
- EU sourced
Cows Ears are healthy long-lasting natural dog chews full of flavour and a great source of protein. Dogs love gnawing on our Cows Ears which are a superb alternative to dental sticks. These chews are air-dried to lock in the flavour and goodness.
- Suitable from 16 weeks+
- Chew rating 2: Requires some effort
- 100% Chicken
- Supports Dental Health
- EU sourced
Our Dried Chicken Feet are crispy healthy natural dog chews that dogs of all shapes and sizes love. They are a superb source of glucosamine and a natural dental stick that will help keep your dog’s teeth clean.
- Suitable from 16 weeks+
- Chew rating 3: Super tough chew!
- 100% Beef
- Supports Dental Health
- EU sourced
Our Buffalo Ears are a natural alternative to dental sticks, these dog chews are extremely long lasting and will keep your dog happy for hours. We air dry our Buffalo Ears so all the goodness and flavour is locked in. These long lasting dog chews provide a wonderful source for protein for your dog.
- Suitable from 16 weeks+
- Chew rating 3: Super Tough Chew!
- Contains Fur
- Supports Natural Worming
- EU sourced
Our large Buffalo Ears with the fur on are the best natural dog chews that help maintain good oral health. With the fur left on these natural alternatives to dental sticks also act as a natural wormer for dogs by cleaning the digestive system as the fur passes through it.