barking mad header Brushing Up: Why Pet Dental Health Matters More Than You Think
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Brushing Up: Why Pet Dental Health Matters More Than You Think

February 4, 2026

This National Pet Dental Health Month, we’re sinking our teeth into one of the most overlooked areas of pet wellness: oral health. Hosts Dr. Stephanie Clark and Jordan Tyler are joined by a veterinary dentist and several pet dental health innovators to explore why dental disease goes far beyond doggy breath, breaking down how plaque, tartar, and inflammation can impact the heart, kidneys, and overall health of pets. Learn why toothbrushing is the gold standard, what dental chews and additives can realistically achieve, and how pet parents can build effective routines without aiming for perfection. From myth-busting to practical tips, this episode offers a clear, science-backed look at how small daily habits can protect pets for the long haul.

Episode Description

This National Pet Dental Health Month, we’re sinking our teeth into one of the most overlooked areas of pet wellness: oral health. Hosts Dr. Stephanie Clark and Jordan Tyler are joined by a veterinary dentist and several pet dental health innovators to explore why dental disease goes far beyond doggy breath, breaking down how plaque, tartar, and inflammation can impact the heart, kidneys, and overall health of pets. Learn why toothbrushing is the gold standard, what dental chews and additives can realistically achieve, and how pet parents can build effective routines without aiming for perfection. From myth-busting to practical tips, this episode offers a clear, science-backed look at how small daily habits can protect pets for the long haul.

Helpful Links

🦷 Check out this list of pet dental health products that carry the VOHC Seal: https://vohc.org/accepted-products/

⚕️ Learn more about pet dental health from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/pet-dental-care

🪥 Find even more resources on pet dentistry from Dr. Amy “Toothy” Thomson: https://www.toothythomson.ca/

💡 Open wide for supporting insights from our veterinary experts, Dr. Bradley Quest and Dr. Katy Miller:

  1. Beyond Bad Breath: Why Oral Hygiene Is Vital for Pets
  2. Beyond Brushing: How Microbiome Science is Reshaping Oral Care for Dogs and Cats

🔬 Read more about clinical studies from Yummy Combs (Pet’s Best Life) and WHIMZEES (Wellness Pet Company):

  1. Yummy Combs 🐝 https://petsbestlife.com/abstract-evaluation-of-efficacy-of-reduction-of-calculus-plaque-gingivitis-and-malodor-of-a-daily-honeycomb-shaped-dental-chew-in-dogs/
  2. WHIMZEES 🦔 https://www.dvh.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/WHIMZEES_VOHC.pdf

Show Notes

00:00 – Inside the Episode

03:35 – A Whole-Body Health Issue

06:26 – Why Pet Dental Health Matters

10:30 – The Gold Standard: Toothbrushing

15:23 – Beyond Brushing: The Scoop on Dental Chews

26:02 – Don’t Put All Your Plaque in One Basket

29:05 – The VOHC Seal

33:42 – Pet Dental Health Myth-Busting

39:00 – Today’s Key Takeaways

40:23 – This Month’s Challenge!

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