Why does a pet's dental health matter?

Did you know that dogs and cats can get the exact same oral diseases that humans can? 

While humans are taught that it’s important to brush and floss, that doesn’t mean that’s the case for our pets. Any pet parent who has tried to brush their pet’s teeth knows it is a task that is much easier said than done.While it's easy to overlook, proper dental hygiene is just as important for our four-legged family members as it is for us. It's a marker for their overall health, and dental problems can cause (or be caused by) other health problems. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats begin to show signs of oral disease by age 3. Dental disease is also one of the most common medical conditions seen by vets, so if you're pet is experiencing it, you're not alone.

Some pets might resist tooth-brushing all-together, and this resistance can cause injury or unnecessary distress for all involved.

Thankfully, there are more creative (and less invasive) ways to keep your pet’s teeth and gums in check, and even freshen their breath too. Learn more about some of our favorite products to help keep your furry friend's teeth shiny, their gums clean, and their breath fresh.

Here's is a list of tried-and-tested favorites from out TU team for this year's Dental Health Month (all on sale this month only, so you pet parents can try things out and learn what works best):

• Ark Naturals Kiss Me-ow Lickables & Dental Chews: Buy One, Get One Free 

  • Why Choose Chews?: Meet a 4-in-1 purr-fectly polishing dental chews speficially made for cats. Crunchy outside & toothpaste center helps polish teeth. The toothpaste center is made with SHMP to ensure efficacy. The crunchy texture helps reduce plaque and tartar, plus freshens breath with each treat. 

  • Why Choose Lickables?: Can be given as a treat straight from the tube or poured over food to help reduce plaque and tartar. Mixed with toothpaste throughout makes mealtime fresh. Freshen breath with daily licking. No artificial colors or artificial flavors. Made with favorite feline flavors like tuna to keep them meowing for more.

• Ark Naturals Brushless Toothpaste: $2 OFF

  • 4-in-1 Brushless Toothpaste dental chews clean, polish, and freshen breath! Their unique texture helps reduce plaque, tartar, and helps clean along the gumline as your dog chews. Plus – they are the only 4-in-1 dental chew that has a chewy toothpaste center that polishes teeth. Ranked Medium on our DENTA-METER™, they are perfect for your everyday chewers!

    • Ages 8 months+

    • Crafted in the USA

    • No artificial flavors or colors

    • Feed up to two a day

  • Available in Mini, Small, Medium and Large sizes

• WOOF Bite n Brush: $5 OFF toy & refills. Both small and large sizes included. 

  • Get cleaner teeth with every bite. The v-shaped design of the Bite n’ Brush lets dogs brush their own teeth with special bristles sized just right to scrub plaque and tartar from all sides of the teeth and mouth. Add in a refill—packed with ingredients that support oral health like peppermint, parsley, and kelp—and let your dog chew away! 

    The Bite n’ Brush is designed to extend the time it takes to chew a dental treat, so you can get some peace and quiet and the active ingredients can get to work.

• Tropiclean Fresh Breath Items: $2 OFF Fresh Breath line 

  • Made locally right in St. Peters, MO! Tropiclean’s Fresh breath line provides practical, daily solutions like oral gel and water additives that defend against plaque and tartar, providing fresh breath for friendlier smooches. But which solution is best for your pet? Use the points below as your cheat sheet:

    • Oral Care Gel: Fresh Breath Clean Teeth Oral Care Gel has a unique blend of powerful, natural ingredients that removes and defends against plaque and tartar, providing fresh breath for friendlier smooches. Clean teeth, fresh breath, no brushing!

    • Dental Health Water Additive For Dogs: With Fresh Breath Dental Health Solution, your pets can benefit from daily plaque and tartar defense, simply by drinking from their water bowl. Easy to use for both you and your pet—no brushing required! VOHC & NASC Accepted.

    • Oral Care Foam: Bad breath can be one of the first signs of oral disease. Fresh Breath Oral Care Foam quickly freshens breath, while supporting a healthy enamel, a bright smile, and clean teeth. No brushing – just apply directly to pet’s teeth and gums. Its natural formula helps freshen their breath. For best results, your pet should receive daily oral care to promote periodontal health and overall wellness.

    • Oral Care Gel for Puppies: Fresh Breath Clean Teeth Gel for Puppies has a unique blend of powerful, natural ingredients that help defend against plaque and tartar before it starts, providing fresh breath for friendlier smooches. Clean teeth, fresh breath, no brushing! For puppies 12 weeks & up.

    • Dental Health Water Additive For Cats: With Fresh Breath Dental Health Solution for Cats, cats can benefit from daily plaque and tartar defense, simply by drinking from their water bowl. Easy to use for both you and your cat—no brushing required!

    • Tripleflex Toothbrush: TripleFlex Toothbrush cleans 3x faster with its easy 360-degree bristles for an easy clean.

      • Large Dog Version

      • Small/Medium Dog Option

• Skouts Honor Oral Care Items: $2 OFF all Skout's Honor dental products

  • All their pet-safe solutions make it easy to create a better oral care routine for your pet - no brushing required! They even have dental wipes to make cleaning extra easy. But which solution is best for your pet? Use the points below as your cheat sheet:

    • Dental Wipes: This pet-safe solution makes it easy to create a better oral care routine for your pet - no brushing required! Dental Wipes provide the mechanical action to clean teeth, without the frustration of using a toothbrush. Odorless and flavorless, designed for both dogs and cats.

    • Advanced Forumla Dental Drops: Skout’s Honor Dental Drops are proven to freshen breath fast, while helping to reduce plaque and tartar at the source. Advanced Formula for targeting specific problem areas. Spray-free pump makes it easy to apply, without startling sensitive pets.

    • Oral Care Water Additive - Fresh & Flavorless: Skout’s Honor’s Water Additive is proven to freshen breath fast, while helping to reduce plaque and tartar at the source. This pet-safe solution makes it easy to create a better oral care routine for your pet - no brushing required! Simply add to their water bowl daily and experience noticeably fresher breath and cleaner teeth. VOHC Accepted - Carries Veterinary Oral Health Council Seal of Acceptance for tartar control.

    • Oral Care Gel - PB and Bacon: An alternative to toothpaste/brushing, for pets who don’t drink a lot of water. Easy-to-apply tip for quickly coating teeth and gums.

    • Water Additive - PB and Bacon: This pet-safe solution makes it easy to create a better oral care routine for your pet - no brushing required! Simply add to their water bowl daily and experience noticeably fresher breath and cleaner teeth. Pets LOVE the tasty peanut butter and bacon flavor! VOHC Accepted - Carries Veterinary Oral Health Council Seal of Acceptance for tartar control.

We’re not veterinarians. Treats Unleashed staff are well educated, and our writing is well-researched, but neither the advice of a Treats Unleashed staff member nor reading Treats Unleashed's written materials can substitute for visiting a veterinarian. We offer carefully chosen, natural solutions, but we believe that veterinary conditions should be diagnosed and treated by professionals.