All about puppy chew sticks for first-time dog parents

From articles ranging from common dog myths about puppy chewing sticks to the incredible benefits of puppy chewing sticks, the Internet has it all. If you are a first-time dog parent, scouring through these articles can leave you feeling overwhelmed. Stress no more because we are going to give you the 411 on all you need to know about healthy puppy chewing sticks.

Why You Need Puppy Chewing Sticks

If your puppy is anywhere between 6 weeks and 6 months old, stocking up on puppy chewing sticks will not be your lifesaver but also your little ones. This critical time during their early development is usually when puppies start teething. Teething is when your puppy slowly starts losing his/her puppy teeth and when adult teeth start coming in. This is also the period where your puppy feels the most discomfort and pain. To ease their discomfort, they turn to their natural instinct to chew. They start chewing your hand, ankles, your furniture, and basically anything they can sink their teeth into. Obviously, these are unsafe which is why investing in puppy teething sticks is essential during early development.

Moreover, regardless of whether you are working from home or the office, it’s impossible to have your eyes on the puppy at all times and get all your work done. This is where puppy eating sticks come in handy. When you’re making lunch, doing laundry, cleaning, or busy with a zoom call, you can give your little one puppy eating sticks to keep them occupied and in one place where you can monitor them.

Health Benefits of Puppy Eating Sticks

Just as humans, puppies need proper dental care to maintain oral health. Veterinarians recommend that you brush your puppy’s teeth at least 3 times a week. This may sound excessive but brushing 3 times a week prevents plaque and tartar buildup.

Every time your puppy eats, food particles get stuck between their teeth. When these food particles mix with saliva, they start forming plaque. Plaque can be prevented and removed by regular brushing. When the plaque is left untreated, it can result in tartar buildup which will require professional assistance, and in some cases, may require administration of anesthesia. Severe tartar buildup can result in dental diseases which can then lead to other health risks.

Even if you get into a routine of brushing your puppy’s teeth 3x a week, there may still be plaque buildup. Because plaque can form within 24 hours of eating. The best way to avoid these oral problems is by giving your little one dental sticks specifically made for puppies. You see, puppy eating sticks provide many oral benefits including:

Improving Gum and Teeth Health: When your puppy chews on puppy dental sticks, the constant scraping of the teeth and gum against the hard surface helps remove any plaque and tartar buildup. After you brush your puppy’s teeth, give him/her puppy dental sticks to ensure there is no plaque and tartar buildup in between dental cleaning sessions.

Promoting Fresh Breath: It’s not unusual for puppy breath to smell slightly unpleasant. However, if they have bacteria buildup, or plaque and tartar buildup, their breath will often have a foul odor which can be a sign of dental disease. The first thing you should do is check with your vet to rule out any possibilities of dental diseases. If your puppy’s dental health is perfectly fine, puppy dental sticks can help reduce bad breath and freshen breath so you can enjoy the endless puppy smooches.

How to Pick Safe Puppy Chewing Sticks

If you took to the internet to decide whether to buy puppy chewing sticks, you’re bound to have come across plenty of articles that advise against it. Most of these articles contain common misconceptions to scare first-time dog parents. But like everything else, there isn’t a hard “yes” or “no” to whether puppy chewing sticks are safe. It’s a bit more complex because not all puppy teething sticks are unsafe. So here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing safe puppy chewing sticks.

Avoid Hard Bones, Rawhides, and Bully Sticks: These popular dental sticks are extremely unsafe for puppies for plenty of reasons. The first being that rawhides, bully sticks, and hard bones contain animal by-products that should not be consumed by puppies or even adult dogs. Second, they have an extremely hard surface. If your puppy is an aggressive chewer or is teething, he/she is putting full pressure on the dental chew. When your puppy is exerting all his power onto the hard surface, it can result in broken teeth or swollen gums.

Moreover, these are not edible dental sticks. So you run into the problem of your puppy swallowing a chunk of rawhide, bully stick, or hard bone. These hard chews, when they come in contact with water or saliva, are known to expand so they can result in choking, or worse, get stuck in the stomach.

Also Read About: Veterinary Advice on Puppy Care: Health, Nutrition and Grooming

Choose Puppy Eating Sticks That are All-Natural: Most manufactured puppy eating sticks are heavily processed. When they go through heavy processing, all the natural nutrients are sucked away. At the end of the processing, manufacturers go back and add “nutrients” which are preservatives and chemicals that are actually toxic and harmful to your puppy’s health. There have been many recalls on these puppy dental sticks because of how unsafe they are. In fact, these puppy eating sticks have been linked to cancer and other serious health risks.

Safe Dental Sticks for Puppies: So far, we have covered the benefits, and precautions you may need to take when choosing puppy chewing sticks. We still have one question left to answer, “Which puppy chewing sticks should you actually buy?” We have an answer for you. 

Here are a couple of safe dental sticks that aid your puppy’s nutrition.

These dental sticks are the perfect match for puppies. Dogsee Chew’s Hard Bars are handcrafted in the Himalayas with 100% natural cow and yak cheese. These puppy dental sticks don’t contain any preservatives, chemicals, or harmful ingredients. Unlike other commercial puppy chewing sticks, Dogsee Chew’s puppy dental sticks are human-grade, meaning they are made with high-quality ingredients that are safe for both puppy and human consumption. If you have ever caught yourself wondering what puppy teething treats tasted like, now’s your chance to give it a taste.

Because these long-lasting puppy chewing sticks are made using cow and yak cheese, they have the optimal hardness and texture to remove plaque and tartar buildup. With these long-lasting treats, you will never have to worry about broken teeth, swollen gums, or choking. They instantly melt in your puppy’s mouth!

But wait, there’s more! Dogsee Chew also has Turmeric Hard Bars for Puppies which are dental sticks infused with Turmeric. Turmeric is a superfood that contains powerful antioxidants and nutrients and provides various health benefits. These long-lasting turmeric dental chews, therefore, not only improve oral health but also joint health and help alleviate pain and inflammation.

Naturally, as first-time dog parents, you might feel overwhelmed and cautious when choosing puppy food and treats. After all, your puppy’s health is the most important priority. Now that you understand the ins and outs of puppy chewing treats, you can make puppy treat shopping more enjoyable while aiding your puppy’s overall development with healthy puppy treats!