FDA Warning - No Bones For Dog Teeth

Online, May 17, 2010 (Newswire.com) - 17th May 2010 - According to Dr Christine Hawke, founder of Sydney Pet Dentistry, many pet owners will be surprised to learn that although bones are fed to clean their dog's teeth they can actually do serious damage to the teeth, mouth and jaw.

"Of the ten potential adverse effects of feeding bones listed by the FDA, the first three are about adverse effects on oral health, including broken teeth, mouth or tongue injuries and bones getting stuck in the jaw," she says.

Dr Hawke says that the FDA campaign confirms what vets have known for years.

"Although bones offer environmental enrichment, I see a huge number of fractured teeth due to bones. If the fracture is superficial we may be able to seal the tooth, but when dental pulp is exposed, dogs require root canal therapy or tooth extraction to avoid ongoing dental pain and jaw infection."

There are an increasing number of safer, chewable alternatives to help reduce oral plaque in dogs which do not result in fractures. These include raw hides, specially formulated dental chews and select oral care diets. Dr Hawke says that an increasing number of these products carry the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal of approval, which means they have been scientifically proven to work.

Dr Hawke appreciates that Australian dog owners love to feed their dogs bones. Although she recommends avoiding bones, she offers the following tips for owners who wish continue to feed their dogs bones.

•#Be aware of the risks. Chewing on bones can lead to fractured teeth which require dental treatment.
•#Match the size of the bone to the size of the dog. The bigger the dog, the bigger the bone.
•#Supervise your dog while it chews on bones and remove bones after each session.
•#Have your dog's teeth checked annually or as soon as possible if you notice a tooth is cracked or chipped. Pain and infection will set in immediately, and dogs are not very good at telling us it hurts.
•#Use safer, proven alternatives to maintain your dog's dental health. If in doubt, chose products carry the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal of approval.

For further information on the FDA statement on bones and dog teeth, visit www.sydneypetdentistry.com.au/faq-owner/fda-dog-teeth-warning-no-bones-about-it/ For interviews with Dr Christine Hawke, or to obtain images of bone-related dental disease, contact 0408 782 611.

Media Contact:
Christine Hawke
PO Box 3001
Willoughby North
NSW
2068
Australia