Dog Community

dry kibble and healthy teeth

Posted : 8/19/2006 6:55:12 PM

Do you think that feeding kibble that isn't moistened with water or mixed with canned (or table scraps) is healthier for your dogs teeth.

The reason I ask is the Casey is 11 and has AMAZING teeth for her age. Every vet comments and even dog ppl. She's never had them cleaned ( and I rarely brush them Angry

). I've always feed her dry, unmoistened kibble. Back then she also never go rawhide, pig ears, or "animal part chews". She only had rope bones and sterilized bones (ugh...I know) to clean her teeth...as well as crunchy treats.

What caused this? Is it hereditary? I've meet some dogs with nasty teeth at a much younger age then her. And they've even improved more since we've included raw bones, sow ears, cow esophogus...ect.

Melissa Camiel

Posted : 8/19/2006 8:33:44 PM

I'm pretty sure that eating dry food doesn't contribute to clean teeth. Most dogs only crunch down once then swallow, so it doesn't do much cleaning. Some people actually find canned to be better for a dog's teeth becuase it has less carbs (carbs tend to stick to the teeth more) Its probably just genetics that causes yours to have white teeth.
Your dogs are very cute[

]

jjsmom06

Posted : 8/20/2006 11:00:10 AM

Jettasmom is right on the "dry dog food" issue. Most dogs don't spend a whole lot of time "chewing" their dry food, so it doesn't really contribute much to teeth cleaning. There are lots of articles that have come out in recent years suggesting that that idea is more of a "myth". I think the only exception I read about was a particular brands dental diet (I want to say it was by Royal Canin, but not sure). Who knows if that is true either!

The hard things that you feed I am sure do contribute more than you think, but I also think heridity plays its part. Some dogs are more predisposed to things. Greyhounds usually have a lot more teeth problems partly because they are not feed anything hard (including any hard treats or bones) so when they come off the track, they may only be 2 or 3 but their teeth might look like a 10 year old!

Melaney B.

Posted : 8/20/2006 11:07:30 AM

Most dogs only crunch down once then swallow,

sometimes they just swallow whole, depending on what there eating!! (0r at least mine do, the little pigs!!)

it doesn't matter what you feed them, as long as you brush there teeth often. i brush there once to every two weeks, i hardly ever see build-up!

jones

Posted : 8/20/2006 11:34:19 AM

Sheltiegirl, it was most likely the bones that cleaned your dog's teeth.