Outside the wind is blowing, snow covers my driveway and freezing rain is falling. At the time of writing this, it’s the middle of April. That’s right: two weeks into Spring and Southern Ontario gets the worst storm of the season.
And some people think climate change isn’t real.
Meanwhile, I’ve got a more immediate issue to deal with today, and it’s everything schedule is cancelled. We are housebound – me and my dog.
My cocker-cross Victor runs everyday – everyday. But today, he doesn’t want to go outside. And neither do I. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t stir crazy.
He needs something to do.
Thankfully, Loving Pets sent us a bag of OraBone dog chews in exchange for an honest review.
OraBone comes in three sizes for small, medium and large dogs – small dogs get 23; medium dogs get 10; and large dogs get 6 bigger ones per bag. (Amazon.com affiliate link)
I rip open the small bag for Victor and immediately the scent of mint, parsley and chlorophyll gets his attention – and mine. Those are the ingredients that fight bad breath. Add real chicken along with a unique design and these ‘treats’ are dental chews with increased surface cleaning, according to Loving Pets.
OraBone features:
- A key-shape end with nibs designed to massage gums and scrape tongue
- A centre bulb designed to clean behind front teeth
- A tapered ‘ribs’ forming ‘teeth-fitting’ channels.
- Three breath-fighting ingredients
- Made in the USA
- No artificial colours or flavours and grain free
Today, however, OraBone’s job is to keep Victor busy.
What’s the result?
I drop a few around the floor and he follows the scent, curious but not excited (not unusual for him) and he picks one up and walks around. He doesn’t chew them immediately because I think these are too hard for his aging teeth. He does carry them around the house looking for hiding spots to bury his treasure.
Later, he finds them again.
Fortunately, Victor doesn’t have dental issues and each time the vet looks in his mouth, he’s never needed a cleaning. Maybe it’s luck, genetics and/or the occasional dental chew to keep things clean, but Victor’s got good choppers and that’s not true of all dogs.
Dog dental health is important for many reasons, which dog blogger Amy Shojai outlines here (spoiler alert – they are the same as ours). Or some pet parents even ‘brush’ their dogs’ teeth regularly including Jen at PuppyLeaks.com – visit her teeth brushing guide here.
Victor eventually gnawed a Loving Pets OraBone completely. (affiliate link) I’ll also give them a try with a bigger dog who loves to chew – after the snow melts and we leave the house. In the meantime, I’ll shovel out the car while Victor buries his dental treats in the couch.
Win a 10-piece bag of 14 oz Loving Pets OraBone dental treat for dogs by leaving a reply below. How do you clean your dog’s teeth?
Contest is open to Canadian residents only (for shipping reasons) and closes May 15, 2018.
(Winners will be contacted via email).
i brush my girls teeth at least once a day. i go to a dental specialist every 2-3 months. it is 190 miles. however, he is excellent, and demands that you brush your pet’s teeth. i also use special gels to put on the teeth after i brush them and additives in their water.
Additives sound like a good option … I should try that.
i use Vetri Science dental powder which i put on their food everyday. i use dental products that the vet helped develop when he collaborated with a human dentist many years ago. the name of the products are Oxyfresh. the toothpaste is a human whitening paste but it can be used on dogs. the dental gel helps with making the gums and bones healthier. my girls have had gum graphs, root planing, fillings, etc. people come from all of the country to see him. he only does teeth.the dental vet started the dental program at nc vet school and was head of the dental program for many years. even if your pet’s teeth look white/clean, you can not tell what is going on under the gum line which is why your pet needs to have their teeth professionally cleaned with radiographs done. i was laughing abt the remark abt the farrier. when i rode horses, and the farrier would come out to the barn, we would save the hoof shavings, because it looks like coconut. i gave some to my brother one time. i did not have nice older siblings.
My Lucy needs her teeth checked on a regular basis. Her teeth are cleaned by the vet tech on a regular basis. And I give her the dentabones every other day. The small ones.
Fortunately, I don’t need vet cleanings for the dog … but the cats do. Pricey.
My dogs live with me on our horse farm and they love it when the farrier comes become they can eat parts of horse feet that are trimmed out!
I’d say gross… but I’ve seen other things dogs eat
Congrats! you won the draw.
We use similar dog dental chews for our gang. Haven’t tried this brand yet though.
My dog eats raw bone which help with her teeth. I also found that massaging coconut oil on her gum, which she love, is excellent at keeping her teeth white.
I also feed her raw so that help as well.
Coconut oil? I hadn’t heard of that one. Bones sounds like a good idea.
My dogs absolutely HATE having their teeth brushed. I’ve used plaque control gels and sprays, water additives, dental chews and rawhides, but I just can’t get their teeth clean enough. I’m working on scheduling my two boys in for dentals. My youngest dog, my girl, Megumi, is 15 months old and so far we’ve managed to keep her teeth clean.
My cat had a similar issue – had to have the Vet clean her teeth. Like people, I think a lot of it is just genetics. Hopefully, chews help – if they chew them.