Kibble vs Raw Diet
Most kibbles contain a higher percentage of refined carbohydrates which could ultimately increase plaque and tartar levels eventually creating gingivitis. On top of that, dry foods are heavily processed using high heat and pressure which fuel inflammation and disease in the body.
“First, and most obvious, high levels of sugars and simple carbohydrates provide rapidly available nutrition for oral bacteria” says Hamilton. “Secondly, poor nutrient quality simply does not support the immune system. Third, and probably most important, though commonly overlooked, rancid foods contribute greatly to degeneration of all body tissues. The gums are either particularly sensitive or are just easily visible, but I commonly see inflamed gums in an otherwise apparently healthy animal. In either case, this provides an early warning sign for the beginning of chronic disease.” Dr. Don Hamilton, homeopathic veterinarian.
Veterinarian Sara Chapman concludes, “Raw meaty bone diets keep wild carnivores’ teeth in top condition, and they can do the same for our domesticated carnivores. Even ground raw diets help prevent tartar build up, as the meat contains natural enzymes, and raw diets do not stick to the teeth, unlike diets that are high in starch. Kibble has long been touted as helping keep teeth clean because of its abrasive action. Have you ever watched your dog eat kibble? You have surely noticed that they don’t chew the stuff, they bolt it down whole. I encourage all my clients to feed a balanced, high quality raw diet if possible; balanced high quality cooked or canned diets are acceptable alternatives if they can not feed raw.” Dogs Naturally Article
Dry food can only clean off a part section of the teeth thereby leaving the gum-line (the most important area) exposed.
How should we be cleaning our dogs teeth?
Raw meaty bones!!!!
Eat a diet that is closest to what he would in the wild - meat & organs i.e. raw diet!
Brushing your dogs teeth, especially for your smaller canines with coconut oil and other goodies….
Having inherited a Yorkshire Terrier from my Ouma (grandmother), a breed unbeknownst to me are genetically predisposed with terrible mouths, taught me a very in depth and expensive lesson on the topic of oral hygiene in dogs.
When I acquired James, the Yorki, he had been on a normal kibble diet for much of his life and my first point of call was to put him on a raw diet like the rest of my dogs. I noticed that his breath had this dreadful smell even after I had made the transition and it became apparent that something was wrong in his mouth. After a thorough oral check, a diagnosis of extreme gingivitis was made due his mouth being left untreated for a while, resulting in having to remove 5 rotten teeth and him having to endure a small cleaning procedure to de-scale the teeth on the gum-line.
For the continuum of his life I had to watch his teeth and to descale them on a regular basis to keep the tartar at bay even though he was on a raw diet till he passed. I do think that the raw diet definitely assisted with his health and slowed down the process of toxicity in his body/mouth. The battle of genes vs nature was never ending and at the end of the day, he still died of chronic renal failure, another supposed “genetic” attribute to our wonderful little companions in their older years.
There is no way to stop the inevitable from happening, however, if I can find alternatives of better health and welfare for my animals in the most natural way, I will.
If you own a Yorkshire Terrier, experts say one should have a deep clean by the vet annually and/or brush the dogs teeth daily… small meaty bones anyone?
