Naturally Healthy Dogs
Supplements for K9 Dental Health

May, 2012

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In this issue:

• Natural Supplements for Canine Dental Health
• Product Pick - Vetri-Science Perio-Support Dental
• Recipe - Dental Delights

We all know that canine dental care is essential to keep our dogs not only free from dental problems, but also systemic problems as well. It is therefore important that we provide top-notch dental care to our dogs. Regular brushing is good, and so is regular veterinary oral check-up.

In addition, there are simple and natural foods and supplements that we can use to help keep our dogs' teeth and gums as healthy as possible.

Here are some of them:

1. Raw Bones: Raw bones are good for teeth because they are calcium-rich. Also, chewing on raw meaty bones helps mechanically clean a dog's teeth and prevents tartar buildup. Raw bones also contains probiotic bacteria and enzymes - they help maintain healthy bacterial flora in the dog's mouth. Choose big organic marrow bones and knuckles bones; and always supervise your dog during a "bone-chewing" session.

2. Dill: The herb dill has potent antimicrobial properties and helps fight infections. In fact, in the past, many people used dill (seeds and leaves) to for mouth cleaning and to freshen their breath.

3. Fennel: Fennel is another herb that has beneficial dental properties. It is rich in vitamin C and flavonoids (such as quercetin), has anti-inflammatory properties, and helps fight gingivitis.

4. Parsley: Parsley also has significant antimicrobial properties and is perfect for use as a natural breath freshener for dogs.

The above culinary herbs (dill, fennel, and parsley) can simply be cut up and sprinkled on your dog's food every day.

5. Green Tea: Widely recognized for its anti-cancer properties, green tea is actually also beneficial to dental health since it is rich in vitamin C and flavonols (a class of flavonoids). Use green tea extract, which is decaffeinated, for your dogs.

6. Cranberries: Cranberries contain a lot of compounds that not only inhibit the enzymes associated with dental plaque formation, but also stop the bacteria from sticking to the surfaces of the teeth.

7. Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE): GSE has potent antimicrobial properties. It is powerful even in low concentration so always dilute it before use. You can dilute 1-6 drops of GSE in 5 oz of water. Use a Q-tip or wrap a piece of gauze around your finger to gently clean your dog's teeth and gums.

8. Coenzyme Q10: This natural supplement is a powerful antioxidant that supports not only the heart but also keeps the gums healthy. For long term dental support, give CoQ10 to your dog as a supplement. (Suggested dosage: 0.25-1.0 mg per pound of body weight per day.)

This natural supplement contains zeolites (natural detoxifiers that contain unique minerals that help prevent plaque from forming and sticking to teeth), cranberry, yucca, probiotics, zinc and taurine.

It helps control plaque formation and support gum health, and can be used between routine veterinary dental cleanings to help maintain clean teeth and fresh breath.

These biscuits contain parsley and cranberry for dental health and are also hard enough to give your dog's teeth a good workout! (from Natural Pet Cures by Dr. J. Heinerman)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken giblets (hearts, liver, gizzards)
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon cold pressed oil (e.g. olive oil)
• 1 whole egg
• 1 1/2 cups whole grain flour (e.g. oat)
• 1/4 cup cranberry essence or finely minced sun-dried unsulphured cranberries
• 1 egg white

1. Place chicken giblets in a pot and cover with water.
2. Bring to a boil, and turn down to simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 350F.
4. Cover 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
5. In a food processor or blender, combine all ingredients except the flour.
6. Blend until you have a thick paste.
7. Add the flour slowly, so it is well incorporated into the "paste". (Add more water or oil if dough is too dry, or more flour if too wet.)
8. Dust your hands with flour and sprinkle it on a board or counter top.
9. Knead the dough well, and then roll it out to about 1/4 inches in thickness.
10. Cut the dough into desired shapes and sizes and put them on the cookie sheets.
11. Place cookie sheets in preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.
12. Turn the oven down to 200F and remove the cookie sheets from the oven.
13. Beat or whisk the egg white until soft peaks begin to form.
14. Baste the biscuits with the egg white.
15. Return the biscuits to the oven and bake for another 45 minutes.
16. Turn the oven off and leave the biscuits until they are completely cooled.

Makes more than 50 medium sized biscuits which store well in the fridge and freeze well too.