Home Dental Care Products for Your Pet

Previously we’ve talked about brushing your pet’s teeth, we’ve seen the video, but what else can we be doing to help out our pet’s oral health? When dealing with dental products, we highly recommend using products that are VOHC seal approved.

What does the acronym VOHC stand for you may ask?

It is the Veterinary Oral Health Council. This is a group of veterinary dentists who test pet oral health products to make sure they are effective against plaque and/or tartar. They have a rigid set of standards that dental products must meet to prove they are effective and then that company can proudly display the hard earned VOHC seal on their packaging.

Products with the VOHC seal

Products with the VOHC seal that we recommend are as follows:

  1. Hill’s Prescription t/d (small bites or original) – We have to feed our dogs, so why not get some dental benefits at the same time. T/d is a larger kibble that is designed to not crumble the minute a tooth makes contact. Your pet must actually chew through the kibble in order to make it small enough to swallow and each kibble has dental enzymes incorporated into them, therefore they are brushing their teeth at the same time.
  2. Healthy Mouth– Our pets also need to drink. Healthy Mouth is an all-natural water additive that helps to control the plaque buildup inside your pet’s mouth. It is recommended to make the transition from your regular tap/bottled water to Healthy Mouth slowly to allow your pet to adjust to the new tastes, but once your pet likes it, it is easy dental care.
  3. CET Veggie Dents- Dogs love getting treats and most dogs like to chew, so why not combine that with a little dental benefit. CET chews are proven effective against tartar buildup, as long as they are chewed.

“The oral hygiene benefit of C.E.T. VeggieDent Chews can only be achieved by adequate chewing action”

Don’t forget treats have calories too, so let’s not overdo it.

Routine dental exams, brushing, and at home dental products will help to keep your pet’s pearly whites happy and healthy, which in the end means a happier and healthier four legged friend for you to enjoy for many years to come.

Written by: Suzanne Niel, RVT