FAQ
- What is the big deal about dental health?
- How do these treats actually keep my dog's teeth clean?
- How many treats should I feed to my dog?
- What does it mean that plaque was reduced by 25% and tartar by 62%
- What is the big deal about dental health?
-
The big deal about keeping your dog's mouth clean and healthy is the importance this plays to overall good health. The mouth contains a large blood supply that is very close to the surface. When the teeth have plaque or tartar on the surface, the gums become inflamed. This inflammation can lead to small areas of bleeding, which in turn allows the bacteria from the mouth easy access into the bloodstream. If this is happening frequently, or on a large scale, it will overwhelm the body's ability to destroy the bacteria. These bacteria can then end up in important organs such as the heart, liver or kidneys. Infections in these critical organs can lead to one very sick dog. Permanent damage can be done to these organs, requiring expensive care throughout the life of your pet. Keep your pet's mouth clean and you will help him stay happy and healthy.
- How do these treats actually keep my dog's teeth clean?
-
After many experimental formulations, the ideal combination of ingredients led to these treats. This recipe is soluble and highly digestible, making it safe for your dogs. This was an important priority, but the other priority was to make a pliable texture that would allow the teeth to sink in, effectively scraping the surfaces to remove plaque. When dogs chew the treat, they will remove existing plaque from the surface. This is important to prevent the build-up of tartar. Plaque turns into tartar when it is allowed to stay on the surface of the teeth by binding with minerals in the saliva. Another important aspect of these treats is the inclusion of tetrasodium pyrophosphate. This ingredient binds the minerals in the saliva so that they are unable to bind with the plaque on the teeth. Mechanical action is the most important way these treats keep the teeth clean, but the special formula also has added features to work even harder for dental health.
- How many treats should I feed to my dog?
-
If your dog weighs between 15 and 25 pounds, feed 1/2 of a treat once or twice daily. You can easily divide the treat at the score line in the center of the bone. If your dog weighs more than 25 pounds, feed 1 treat once or twice daily. Make sure that your dog adequately chews the treat and does not swallow large chunks, which can lead to choking.
- What does it mean that plaque was reduced by 25% and tartar by 62%
-
To obtain the prestigious Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of acceptance, a study had to be performed on these treats to prove that they really did work to keep the teeth free from plaque and tartar. The study compared the amounts of plaque and tartar on the teeth of dogs who had been eating these treats compared with dogs that were not eating the treats. The VOHC has very specific guidelines for running these studies and you can learn more by visiting their website.
When the results were compared, the levels of plaque and tartar on the teeth of dogs eating the Checkups treats were significantly lower than the levels on the control dogs' teeth. Tartar is the hardened compound that must be removed from the teeth by dental prophylaxis. Reducing the tartar on the teeth by almost 2/3 is amazing! This indicates that the regular use of these treats is going to prevent a buildup of this nasty substance. Plaque is what turns into tartar if it is not removed from the tooth in a timely manner. Reducing the plaque on the surface of the teeth by 25% corresponded with the 62% drop in tartar formation. Because plaque forms so quickly, it is impossible to reduce the plaque on the teeth as much as the tartar. That is why the numbers differ so much.
As with any statistics, it is important to look at the big picture, which is your dog's mouth. Preventing tartar buildup on the teeth will delay time between dental cleanings in your veterinarian's office. This saves you money and prevents your dog from having to undergo frequent anesthesia. Keeping the teeth clean also keeps your pet happier and healthier. Read more about the consequences of dental disease in our pet care articles and our other FAQ's.