We all know the importance of dental health; and choosing to feed your dog plant-based is one step to ensuring that they have both healthy teeth and gums.
Any painful gum infections or tartar build up can impact so much on your dog’s overall quality of life, but also on their general health where bacteria in the gums could enter the blood stream if those gums are badly inflamed, and result in heart or kidney disease that may end up irreversible.
I see it time and time again in elderly pets with sore, red gums and smelly tartar-coated teeth from years of eating scraps and licking the plates of owners at the end of meals that are full of sugar-laden sauces and foods (yes, we are as guilty of this as any family!)
A simple solution to preventing this, is to feed plant-based and brush their teeth each night. We do it with Ruff, as being a stray, he had very bad teeth (photo showing his ‘sore’ side before having a dental and going plant-based).
He does not particularly like having his teeth brushed – we use logic gel (contains enzymes and is flavoured but no animal proteins in it) and a soft toothbrush, but we make it into such a fun game that he sits patiently and then gets SO excited about his reward – a Veggiedent dental chew!
We have reviewed the main plant-based dental chews available that we recommend that are affordable and as ‘natural’ as they can be (for a treat!) as well as effective to help clean the teeth.
There are some that we do not recommend too below.
16 year old Border Terrier Nancy’s owner noticed an amazing result after transitioning her from meat-based to a wholesome plant-based diet:
Her teeth have self-cleaned! Since being very young, Nancy has had a tartar problem. We have tried brushing and other solutions, but we realised one day that (after transitioning) something about the diet seemed to be cleaning up her teeth!
We have reviewed some dental chews below that we recommend and have used
Soopa
Soopa are a dedicated plant-based company in Ireland and we are very happy with the ‘superfood’ ingredients in their dental chews. They are popular, but the chews do not last very long.
Lily’s Kitchen Woofbrushes
Lily’s Kitchen Woofbrushes have a spongey texture to get down to the gumline and supposedly wipe away plaque. We have not tried them, but many of our plant-based dogs seem to love them.
Benevo Sweet Pawtato Knots
Recommended sweet potato & rice based knot-shaped chews from Pawtato! Reasonably priced and sustainable company.
Veggie Dent Chews
We use these chews on Ruff – he loves them and although flat, they do last for a while. More expensive than other brands, but only plant-based dental chews that are vet recommended.
Whimzees
Whimzees are very reasonably priced and made in Holland. They have natural ingredients and last a long time.
Edgard Cooper Apple & Eucalyptus
We have reviewed some dental chews below that have a warning, but are still fine to use as shown below
Benevo Pawtato Tubes with Mint & Parsley
These tubes are very reasonably priced with healthy ingredients, but we have tried them on Ruff and although they last a long time, due to their tube shape, they get caught in your dog’s teeth as happened with our little Ruff! He then chose to leave it so it must have hurt his gums!
GoodWood Chewable Stick Coffee Tree Wood
Instead of feeding bones, we want to allow our plant-based dogs the enjoyment of chewing, and these natural wood coffee tree posts are very popular. The only concern that we have with them, is that your dog (especially if young), may not differentiate between the natural wood stick he is allowed to chew and the expensive dining room table leg!
The dental treat below IS NOT RECOMMENDED!
Antos Antler Dog Chew
Please DO NOT feed these antler chews to your dog. I have seen first hand the damage that these very hard chews do to your dog’s teeth as dogs can fracture their molars when chewing them! I even had a Staffy with the strongest jaw who had a fractured and very painful molar from being given an antler chew, so not to give to your dog.
Pets At Home sell plant-based dog food!
Pets at Home own brand Wainwrights launch a plant-based tinned and dry dog food in their stores
Dora the Newfypoo was raw fed and now adores her vegan diet!
We all need a Dora in our lives – her optimism and love of life and her vegan dog food fills us all with such hope!
Gentle giant Drake’s life transforms on a vegan diet
Since starting on a homecooked wholefood vegan dog food diet, Drake’s life changes dramatically for the better!
Moss has a calming effect on his meat-eating brother
Moss shows no interest in his brother’s food, whereas his brother is very keen to get Moss’ vegan food!
12 year old Mastiff Troy’s astounding transition from raw to vegan dog food
Troy was fed a raw food diet all his life but at the age of 12, he transitioned to vegan dog food and the changes seen are astounding!
“I feel massively positive – to be vegan now is the easiest thing in the world”
The Guardian features Dr Arielle Griffiths, vegan dog Ruff and other wonderful vegan dog owners
8 years vegan and like a puppy!
Molly the Shi Tzu’s life changed when she transitioned to Solo Vegetal to sort out the pain of her IBD
Teddy’s anxiety and itchy ears settled on a vegan diet
Teddy the rescue Jack Russell had a dramatic behaviour change on a homemade plant-based diet
25% Discount on our JUST BE KIND Supplement in May!
*Instead of paying £36.50 for 3 sachets or 750g of Supplement, DURING THE WHOLE MONTH OF MAY, YOU PAY JUST £27.37!*
How a vegan diet saved Buddy the Bulldog’s life
The vet was so concerned that they thought he would eventually have to be put down, he was 1.5 at the time, he’s now 2.5 and thriving
Pru’s Mum didn’t like feeding Pru raw food
Pru the pretty Cockapoo was originally on a raw food diet. In her Mum’s words – “I really didn’t like the raw bloody meat in the fridge – I just found it all revolting”
Dilated cardiomyopathy and Frank’s vegan dog food diet
Frank the Golden Retriever’s Mum is a medical student full of wonderful advice with all her intense research
