Dogs

Feeding Dental Treats to Your Dog

Nicole Groshek  |  February 1, 2024  |  4 minute read

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Dental treats can be a great tool for helping clean your dog’s teeth, support healthy gums, and freshen breath. If you’re new to feeding your dog dental treats (or a new dog parent), you might have questions about how often to feed them and when it’s safe to give dental treats to your dog or puppy. Here are all the tips you need to know before getting started!

Once a day is perfect

Dental treats aren’t like training treats. Ideally you should make dental chews part of your dog’s daily routine and limit servings to one dental chew treat per day. 

Choose the right size

Dental Delights come in four sizes and should be selected based on your dog’s weight:

It’s important to pick the right size so that the dental treat can effectively clean your dog’s teeth. Correct sizing is also important for calorie control and to avoid an upset tummy (a large treat for an extra-small dog might be a bit much).

Stick around

It’s best to stay with your dog and watch them chew on the dental treat, just in case they chew so enthusiastically that they break off a piece and need to be reminded not to swallow it whole. Your dog will also appreciate having your company and attention! Because our dental treats are designed for play with a unique shape that flips and rolls, you’ll love watching your pup have a great time of it. The extra playtime will strengthen your bond and make dental care something your dog looks forward to!

When to Start Feeding Dental Treats

For adult dogs, you can start feeding dental treats right away! We recommend giving your dog a dental treat at the same time you brush your own teeth in the morning so you don’t forget. Or you could give them a dental treat after their evening meal to help wash away food particles and bacteria. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter when your dog enjoys a dental treat as long as it’s once a day. According to holistic veterinarian Dr. Angie Krause,

“The right time to offer your dog dental treats often varies on factors like age, breed and individual chewing habits. That said, for puppies, it’s generally safe to start introducing dental treats once their adult teeth are grown in, which typically occurs at around 6 months of age. You can begin brushing your dog’s teeth as puppy to get them in a daily routine. Once your dog is an adult, which typically occurs at the one-year mark, I recommend brushing their teeth every other day at the bare minimum. Your dog may be resistant to getting their teeth brushed initially, so make sure to speak soothingly and maintain a calm atmosphere as it may take some time for them to get fully accustomed to the routine.”

My Dog Won’t Eat Dental Treats

If you’ve tried giving your dog dental treats but they don’t show any interest, it’s important to first rule out an underlying condition by taking your dog in for a wellness check. If your dog has oral pain it could explain why they’re reluctant to chew. If your dog is healthy but just doesn’t care for dental treats, then it’s even more important to keep up with regular tooth brushing. Dogs have individual preferences just like we do, and not all dogs enjoy dental treats. Even if your dog has turned up their nose at other dental treats, it’s worth giving ours a try because Stella & Chewy’s Dental Delights have the irresistible flavor of real freeze-dried, cage-free chicken! Visit your local neighborhood pet store for a sample size (single treat) of Dental Delights!

Can Dogs with Diabetes Enjoy Dental Treats?

Dental health is important for all dogs, but healthy teeth and gums are especially important for dogs with diabetes. Periodontitis (gum disease) promotes insulin resistance, which can make it even harder to manage diabetes. Dogs with diabetes are also more prone to dry mouth, which harms oral health. The act of chewing stimulates saliva flow—one of the many benefits of dental treats. Dog dental treats are meant to be chewed and eaten, so you’ll need to account for the calories if your dog has diabetes, just as you would for any food or treat. A convenient way to give dental treats to diabetic dogs is after a meal when you’re giving them insulin around the same time. If your dog has diabetes or any medical condition, you should always check with your vet before feeding them a new food or treat.

Proper feeding is just as important as the food or treats you choose. Check out our guide on how to feed your pet for even more helpful tips! Then visit our blog for the pet obsessed for more helpful articles like this!