My Dog's Dental Care
Your dog may not be able to tell you when something is wrong, but sadly 4 out of 5 of dogs over the age of 3 years have gum disease. This is caused by plaque and tartar build-up around the gum line, which can be reduced by an effective dental care routine.
How to brush your dog’s teeth
Brushing your dog’s teeth regularly is a great way to keep his gums and teeth healthier and fight gum disease.
Introducing tooth brushing gradually will mean his will learn to enjoy the experience.
We’ve worked alongside The British Veterinary Dental Association to create this simple step-by-step guide to ensure brushing your dog’s teeth is both straightforward and successful.
A pet toothbrush with medium bristles
Dog toothpaste (human toothpaste isn’t good for dogs because it contains fluoride which is toxic to dogs)
Some water
A quiet area with little or no distractions
Clean hands and short nails for your dog’s safety
Plenty of patience
If helpful you can also download the helpful step-by-step guide here for future reference.
DentaStix®
With their unique X-shape cross section and mildly abrasive texture, Pedigree® DentaStix® remove plaque and keep your dog chewing for longer.
How Pedigree® DentaStix® fights tartar build-up
It’s a sad fact that 4 out of 5 dogs have gum disease. This can often lead to painful and expensive treatment. Pedigree® DentaStix® reduces tartar build-up by up to 80% when fed daily.Pedigree® DentaStix® are available in different sizes to suit different dogs (small, medium and large). And as well as being tasty, a medium stick contains just 82 calories and there is no added sugar.We’re really proud of Pedigree® DentaStix® and it isn’t just us, 74% of vets recommend DentaStix® as being good for oral health*
They work through a combination of special texture and active ingredients:
- Special texture
Pedigree® DentaStix® has a unique X shape and, when fed daily, its special texture is scientifically proven to help reduce the build-up of tartar by up to 80%.
- Active ingredients
Pedigree® DentaStix® contain two active ingredients (sodium tripolyphosphate and zinc sulphate), which bond with the calcium in saliva and slow down the build-up of tartar. This helps plaque stays softer for longer and makes it easier to remove by chewing Pedigree® DentaStix®.
- How the active ingredients work
Myths about Pedigree® DentaStix® and DentaFlex®.
A: Pedigree® DentaFlex® is scientifically proven to reduce the build-up of plaque at the gum line, where it matters most. This is thanks to its revolutionary texture that flexes around teeth to give a deep clean.
Chewing and tooth brushing can cause gum bleeding in dogs when gingivitis is present (as is common in humans). The more effectively a chew cleans to the gum line, the more likely inflamed gums are to bleed.
Small spots of blood on the product should not cause concern, as is the case with continued brushing, repeated feeding of Pedigree® DentaFlex® should result in this slight bleeding reducing and eventually stopping as gum health improves.
Continued or heavy bleeding could indicate a more severe form of periodontal disease and therefore if you are concerned, we’d recommend a visit to your vets for your dog to undergo a full clinical oral examination.
A: Our research shows that even when dogs take just 40-50 seconds to finish a DentaStix®, they still chew it between 90 and 130 times. This makes a big difference to the plaque and tartar on their teeth. So don’t worry too much if your dog is a speedy chewer.
A: Dogs’ mouths aren’t as similar to ours as you might expect. Their saliva contains different substances, so they don’t experience the same tooth decay that we do if we eat too many sugary sweets. Gum disease is a real issue for dogs, so preventing plaque and tartar is key to keeping their gums healthy into old age.
A: DentaStix® aren’t a high calorie treat – they are sugar free with a medium stick containing just 82 calories. To make sure that your dog doesn’t gain weight, reduce the amount of food you give them at mealtimes slightly to compensate for the DentaStix®.
