Why Are Dentastix Bad For Dogs?

Why Are Dentastix Bad For Dogs? Of course, no owner desires for their dog to have bad teeth. However, are Dentastix, a popular product sold by the high quality brand Pedigree, the answer?

It is a question asked by a multitude of pet owners. Alongside daily affection, constant playtime, and walks, maintaining the health of a dog’s teeth is critical for their wellbeing.

Disclaimer: This is my personal opinion and my own research, I am not a vet, only a dog owner.

Why Are Dentastix Bad For Dogs?

Although brushing a dog’s teeth is as important as brushing a human’s, less than 1% of parents tend to them whatsoever. There is no substitute for the traditional paste and toothbrush, many individuals use dental sticks and chews like Dentastix, which are bad for dogs.

Unfortunately, this particular product is not at all what it appears on the surface. In the United Kingdom, pet treat corporations are not legally obligated to list the ingredients that go into their product like in America. Instead, they are simply listed by category.

Consequently, many ingredients are hidden, and an owner may not be completely aware of what they are actually providing to their beloved companion. Fortunately, there are many categories to better differentiate.

Some food companies implement the term ‘cereals’ to describe the many types of grains. With such a blanket term, it’s impossible to know the type or quality of grains inside Dentastix that are bad for dogs.

If there is a dog with a sensitive stomach or a number of intolerances, not comprehending the food contents makes it difficult to identify the ingredient. Therefore, it is recommended to only use the products that clearly highlight the exact recipe.

What You Need To Know

Vague terms like ‘vegetable origin derivatives’ mean the owner will never truly know what the dog is getting with each two. As one batch could differ from another depending on the most cost-effective products.

Animal and meat derivatives do not clearly state which animal or what part of an animal is being used. It could be any part, from brains to heads to feathers and hairs.

The problem with such vague terms is that the owner can never ensure that the quality is bad or good. Furthermore, the source of the meat in the recipes changes by batch, so it’s recommended to steer clear if the dog has any form of intolerance.

Minerals like sodium tripolyphosphate are the active ingredients in Dentastix, which are bad for dogs that help keep a dog’s teeth clean. Clinical research proves that they can prevent plaque build-up by 80%, so these are not necessarily a threat.

All dental bones, but especially Dentastix, use highly processed oils that are potentially harmful. By just looking at the label, it’s impossible to differentiate which are beneficial and which are not.

Despite confusion when observing the recipe for Dentastix, they are implemented around the world to maintain healthy and clean teeth. Sadly, even licensed veterinarians recommend them in advertisements.

Final Thoughts

Dentastix claims the unique shape helps maintain clean teeth, yet depending on the dog, soft chew fails to naturally rub away at the plaque. That’s the reason many competing dental bones are designed for crunch.

The vast majority of the ingredients present in Dentastix are not made via teeth cleaning. Extra additives are implemented to improve the flavor, add appeal and texture to the mass market. Yet, these additional ingredients could do more harm than good.

For instance, cereals are broken down into sugars upon ingestion, leading to bad breath and cavities–the exact symptoms an owner is attempting to prevent.

Clean ingredients are best for a dog’s health, which are simply not present in Dentastix. When selecting the best dog chew for a pooch, named sources are the best. In the store, look for natural, simple ingredients that can be recognized.

That way, you as an owner will know exactly what you’re providing your dog and, as such, are at less risk of any additives making way into the system of the pup.

If an owner is in the market for a dental chew, it helps to also look for something that takes the dog extended periods of time to consume. Scraping and chewing motions work best, so flimsy or soft chews simply won’t do the job.

It is always important to watch the dog when they are in the process of consuming a dental bone, for even with the hardest of chews, the dog could choke on the bits without supervision.