Humans and dogs share an affectionate bond, but pet owners will be the first to admit that their dog's unpleasant breath sometimes gets in the way. The simple solution is to mix an additive in your dog's drinking water to freshen its breath and boost oral hygiene. Our experts have rounded up their top five water additives to improve your dog's oral health.
To correctly use this additive, add half a cap of the solution to eight ounces of water twice a day, or eight capfuls to one gallon of water. This oral care solution bears seals of approval from the VOHC and NASC, endorsing its safety and efficacy.
This dental care solution freshens breath in two weeks or less if used as instructed. Its trusted, naturally derived ingredients help combat tartar and plaque to protect your dog from gum diseases. It is odourless and tasteless, so it easily mixes into the water bowl without your dog noticing. The formula is allergen-free and works for puppies, cats and dogs.
If your dog drinks this additive as directed, it is unnecessary to brush its teeth, but for best results, supplement with brushing. Your dog can drink as much water as it naturally desires, and you can refill its water bowl as you normally would.
This Denta-C cleaning solution controls tartar and reduces plaque that houses bacteria. Using it daily significantly reduces the risk of mouth and gum diseases. One tablespoon of this water additive is sufficient for 32 ounces of water, and the bottle contains 16 ounces of solution, making this a cost-effective purchase.
This dental formula also includes omega-3 and omega-6, zinc and other multi-vitamins to care for your dog’s bones, skin and joints. It is chemical-free, making it safe and suitable for all dogs and puppies to use.
This water additive helps to improve oral hygiene and your pet’s overall health. The combination of baking soda and coconut oil freshens breath by counteracting harmful acids and balancing pH levels inside the mouth. The baking soda also breaks down plaque and tartar between teeth and gum lines. The coconut oil has electrolytes to rehydrate dogs, enhance their skin and coats and boost their energy.
This water additive is unsuitable for dogs under 12 weeks old and is only appropriate for canine use, not felines or other pets. For best results, shake the bottle well before adding to your dog’s water and measure one teaspoon per 250 millimetres of water.
This flavourless, odourless additive is undetectable in your dog’s water. It contains peppermint oil to cleanse your dog’s breath and balance gut flora for healthy digestive support. Other cleansing ingredients include aniseed oil and sodium bicarbonate in purified water. Daily consumption removes tartar and plaque buildup from hard-to-reach places in your dog’s mouth, where toothbrushes miss.
Shake well and add one teaspoon of this dental solution to your pet’s fresh drinking water to deodorise your dog’s breath and the water bowl. For optimal, holistic cleaning that lasts, use Vet’s Best Dental Gel Toothpaste.
This water additive uses clove leaf, peppermint and geranium oils to eradicate your dog’s bad breath. It includes grapefruit extract and glycerine that provide such cleaning power that brushing is unnecessary. It effectively tackles plaque and tartar while soothing gums and whitening teeth. This oral hygiene treatment is unsuitable for dogs younger than 12 weeks.
You need a dental care solution that supports healthy gums, teeth and breath without upsetting your pet's stomach or senses. Here is a list of considerations to help you find the ideal additive for your dog.
A: Dog water additives are safe for consumption, but digestive disturbances are possible. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, diarrhoea-like symptoms and loss of appetite can occur, but this is mainly because of the quality of ingredients in the additive. Dogs might avoid drinking water if they detect the smell or taste of the additive, which can lead to dehydration. Though uncommon in most additives, there are a couple of harmful ingredients to note and avoid at all costs. Xylitol is a highly absorbable, toxic artificial sweetener that, once consumed, even in minute quantities, can cause seizures, blood clots, detrimental upsurges in blood pressure and a lethal discharge of insulin from the pancreas. Chlorhexidine gluconate can damage dogs' eyes and cause inflamed gums and salivary glands.
A: Veterinarians recommend daily water additives to clean dogs' teeth in between thrice weekly brushing. These oral treatments have enzymes that dissolve tartar buildup and freshen your dog's breath. They also kill bacteria in the mouth, slowing the advancement of gum diseases like periodontitis. Removing plaque and bacteria decreases the chance of your dog contracting an infection. Fluoride in additives can remove stains and whiten teeth. The overall improvement in your dog's oral health will delay tooth loss. Pet owners benefit from the easy application of water additives, which takes far less time than brushing your dog's teeth. Also, this daily dental care solution will reduce long-term healthcare costs.
