Yorkie health & everyday care

Dog Diet and Dental Health: Food, Treats and Chew Safety

When you are choosing food or treats, dental claims can be hard to compare. This guide explains how everyday food, tested dental products and chew safety fit into a dental-care plan. It also gives you a short list of questions to bring to your veterinarian.

Everyday food and dental diets

A complete and balanced diet supports overall health, but it does not guarantee healthy teeth. Ordinary dry kibble is not the same as a tested dental diet, and canned food is not automatically the wrong choice. Ask your veterinarian which food suits your dog’s needs and whether a dental diet would help.

A product made for dental care deserves a closer look than a general claim about crunchy food. Tufts explains why ordinary dry food should not be assumed to clean teeth better than wet food.

Read the specific dental claim

The VOHC Seal of Acceptance identifies products that meet its criteria for controlling plaque, tartar, or both. Check the claim for the individual product, rather than assuming that every item from a brand has the same acceptance. The seal does not mean a product cures dental disease or replaces a dental examination. See what the VOHC seal covers.

Use the current VOHC list when comparing options. For dental chews and treats, choose the package size intended for your dog’s weight and follow the directions. Ask your veterinarian if you are unsure whether an option suits your dog. VOHC explains the size guidance.

Choose chews with care

Choose dental treats with evidence behind their plaque or tartar claims, such as products accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). Hard bones, antlers and similarly hard chews can fracture teeth, so do not assume that harder is better. Treats also add calories and do not replace brushing or veterinary dental care. Read AAHA’s guidance on dental diets and treats.

A dental claim is not a promise that every dog can use the product safely. Discuss chewing habits and any previous tooth damage with your veterinarian before choosing a chew. Cornell describes the risks of very hard chews.

Include treats in the food plan

Dental treats belong in the same daily food plan as meals, training rewards and other snacks. Keep the package so you can check its calorie information, and tell your veterinary team about the extras your dog actually eats. They can help you fit treats into the appropriate intake for your dog. AAHA includes treats and other extras when assessing food intake.

Keep prevention in the plan

Dental prevention should begin early and continue throughout life. Small dogs such as the Yorkshire Terrier can need especially careful dental care. Ask your veterinarian about oral examinations, home care and an appropriate preventive plan. Read AAHA’s guidance on preventing periodontal disease.

Food choices are only one part of that discussion. Ask how to make brushing practical and when your dog needs a dental examination. For a Yorkie-focused starting point, see Yorkie Dental Care: Diet and Small-Dog Prevention.

Questions for your veterinarian

Choose a suitable diet and dental-care plan with your veterinarian rather than assuming that dry food is always best.

• Does my dog’s current food meet their nutritional needs?
• Would a tested dental diet or treat be useful in their care plan?
• Is this exact product and package size suitable for my dog?
• How should I account for its calories alongside other food?
• What home care and veterinary follow-up does my dog need?

Bring the food and treat labels, or clear photos of them, so the conversation is about the products you actually use.