Let’s Talk Doggy Dental Health

How to keep your dog’s breath fresh and save on dental cleanings

Good oral hygiene is important for our dog friends, too!

Let’s get this out of the way: if you’re the type of pet parent who actually brushes your dog’s teeth daily, this post isn’t for you. I mean, kudos for being amazing and everything — but may your toothpaste tube explode and leave you smelling like turkey for days.

For the rest of us? Let’s talk about how on earth you’re supposed to keep your dog’s mouth healthy and their breath tolerable.

When we brought Beezy home, I had lofty goals. I would be THE best dog mom. I'd feed her the best food, trim her nails regularly, and brush her teeth every day. I even bought the little dental kit with finger brush and chicken-flavored toothpaste. But trying to brush her teeth was like putting shoes on a cat — she wasn’t having it. Omar? I didn’t even try.

Like many dog owners, I’d read that Nylabones and marrow bones were the solution. Supposedly, give your dog those on a regular basis and dental issues would be a thing of the past.

Not true.

In early 2024, Omar started showing health issues no test could pinpoint. Finally, during a full exam, the vet noticed broken teeth. Turns out, those “helpful” dental chews people swear by? According to his oral surgeon, they make up 99% of his business. And let me tell you — dental surgery for dogs is not cheap.

That day, I tossed every Nylabone, marrow bone, and hard chew toy into the trash. The only exception these days is Gus’s cheese bone (he’s obsessed), but I keep pet insurance on him — just in case.

Since then, I’ve tried nearly every dental product out there: water additives, gels, expensive green powder, imported Icelandic seaweed, Greenies — you name it. Some of them kind of worked for breath issues but did nothing to impact the plaque and tartar buildup. Others didn't work at all. The only product I've tried that’s really impressed me is OraVet Dental Hygiene Chews.

OraVet is the first and only dog dental product that contains delmopinol, an ingredient used in human oral rinses. It works by preventing the attachment of bacteria to teeth and gums, effectively stopping biofilm formation and ultimately reducing the risk of gum disease. Delmopinol is known for having a good safety profile and is generally well tolerated. However, every dog is different, and some with sensitive stomachs may experience diarrhea or vomiting

My dogs love them — the smell is mildly vanilla and they supposedly taste like chicken, although I have not tried them to see. Pike and Gus literally start salivating every time I take the lid off the tin where I keep them.

The chews appear to have the consistency of taffy — they're solid, but not hard. It's nearly impossible to cut them with a knife, but they don't seem like they'll damage or crack any teeth. Their makeup forces the dog to actually chew rather than swallow the treat whole. The chewing action is what helps to physically break down plaque at the gumline.

close up of actual chew next to my thumb for scale

Studies have shown a 40–50% reduction in plaque and tartar in just one month and a 50% reduction in bad breath as well. Although, how one "measures" bad breath is beyond me. But I will say that Pike no longer smells like he's walking around with a dead squirrel in his mouth. So there's that.

The downside? They’re pricey. You can pick them up on Amazon or Chewy where a 30-count bag for large dogs over 50 lbs. runs a little over $50. The instructions say one a day, but I stretch it to every other day to keep the price in check. I'm still seeing positive results even with using them less often.

Oh, and a warning: your dog’s poop will turn a bright, almost neon green after eating one. It's almost terrifying until you realize what the deal is. In any case, it's a small price to pay for breath that won't knock you over and a mouth you're not afraid to look into.

Dental health is easy to overlook until it becomes an expensive, painful problem. Skip the hard bones and gimmicks — your dog’s teeth (and your wallet) will thank you. While daily brushing is best, OraVet chews can make a real difference in keeping breath fresh and mouths healthy. It’s an investment, but one that could save your pup from discomfort — and you from surprise surgery bills — down the road. Until next time, WOOF!