At Bell & Bone, your dog’s health and happiness come first. That’s why we create daily dental care designed to support your furbaby in living their healthiest, happiest lives. Our products are made with healthy, natural, effective ingredients, which means some extra fussy dogs may need a little extra encouragement when trying them for the first time. 

If you’ve ever struggled to introduce something new to your picky pup, you’re not alone. The good news is that with a gentle approach, a little patience, and the tips listed below,  even the fussiest dogs can learn to enjoy their new daily dental care routine. 🐾💜

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Key Takeaways for Fussy Dog Dental Care

• How to care for your dog’s teeth, even if they are fussy
• The importance of daily dental care
• Daily dental care helps prevent plaque and tartar build up
• Fussy dogs often need gradual introduction, not pressure
• Dental Sticks help remove existing plaque through chewing
• Dental Toppers help prevent future build up by supporting gut health
  

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Why Daily Dental Care Is Essential for Your Dog’s Health 

Daily dental care plays an important role in helping dogs live a healthy, happy life. Plaque is a gummy substance that forms on their teeth within a few hours after a meal and then begins to harden within 24 hours (VCA Animal Hospitals). If not removed, it hardens into tartar, which can cause gum disease, discomfort, tooth decay/loss, and potentially serious health problems. (Kingston Vets).

This is why a consistent daily dental routine matters.

Daily dental care for dogs helps to:

• Reduce plaque and tartar build up
• Support healthy gums and fresh breath
• Support a healthy gut microbiome
• Avoid disease + surgery 
• Protect overall wellbeing as dogs age
  
  

If you’re trying to introduce a healthy and natural dental routine but your dog is hesitant with new flavours or textures, you’re not alone. These tried and tested tips from fellow fussy dog parents are designed to help your pup ease in at their own pace.

➡️ SHOP DAILY DENTAL CARE

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How to Help a Fussy Dog Enjoy Dental Sticks

Bell & Bone Dental Sticks are designed to help remove existing plaque and tartar through gentle chewing mechanical abrasion. They are meat first, with no grains or fillers, and work best when enjoyed daily. That said, fussy dogs may need a slower introduction, and that is completely okay.

➡️ SHOP DENTAL STICKS

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Break Dental Sticks Into Smaller Pieces for Fussy Dogs

Cutting, slicing, or grating the Dental Stick into smaller pieces and mixing it through your dog’s favourite meal is a great way to start. This helps fussy dogs get familiar with the flavour while still enjoying their usual food and dental benefits.

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Add a Tasty Spread for Extra Appeal

For extra encouragement, lightly coat the Dental Stick with peanut butter or Greek yoghurt to make it more appealing for picky eaters. This works best as a short term introduction. As your dog becomes more comfortable, gradually reduce the spread so they can enjoy the stick on its own and get the full chewing benefit.

You can also add a few favourite treats or dog safe fruits and vegetables during the early stages to boost interest.

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Using Enrichment Toys to Encourage Dental Chewing

Cut the Dental Stick into smaller pieces and add them to an enrichment toy or lick mat with other favourite treats. You can also place a whole stick into an enrichment treat toy to encourage play and problem solving. 

This helps turn dental care into a fun, rewarding experience and builds positive associations with Bell & Bone Dental Sticks.

➡️  SHOP ENRICHMENT ACCESSORIES

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Celebrating Progress in Your Dog’s Dental Care Routine

Whether your dog chews the stick, carries it around, or engages with it during play, these are all small wins. Each interaction helps build familiarity and confidence… plenty of praise and cuddles is encouraged 💜

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Dental Toppers for Fussy Dogs 

Bell & Bone Dental Toppers are a simple, effective option for dogs who do not enjoy chewing or are extra fussy. They are designed to be used alongside Dental Sticks to support a well rounded daily dental routine.

Dental Toppers help prevent future plaque and tartar build up by targeting bad gut bacteria that contribute to dental disease. They are stress free to use, suitable for both wet and dry food, and have shown very high palatability success rates, even with picky pups 🐾💜

➡️ SHOP DENTAL TOPPERS

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Learn more here: The science behind Bell & Bone's Dental Topper: How a healthier gut will transform your pet’s mouth

 

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How to Use Dental Toppers on Wet or Dry Dog Food

Shake the bottle and spray the Dental Topper over your dog’s usual food, wet or dry. Use 4 sprays, once daily. You can leave it on top or mix it through the meal, depending on what your dog prefers.

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Tips for Introducing Dental Toppers to Fussy Dogs

For extra fussy dogs, a slow introduction works best. Start with 1 spray mixed through their food and gradually build up to the full daily amount over 1 to 2 weeks, or longer if needed.

If your dog turns their nose up at 4 sprays, take a short break and reintroduce the Topper using smaller amounts. Adding something extra enticing, like a splash of chicken broth or a spoon of plain yoghurt, can also help make the transition easier.

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A Simple Daily Dental Care Routine for Fussy Dogs

For optimal results, we suggest giving your dog:

• 1 Dental Stick daily
• 4 sprays of Dental Topper once, daily

Dental Sticks help remove existing plaque through chewing, while Dental Toppers help prevent new build up by supporting gut health.

➡️  SHOP DAILY DENTAL CARE

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A note to Fussy Dog Parents 

If your dog needs time to adjust to their new routine, that is completely okay. Start slowly, stay consistent, and use the tips above. Dental care is a habit, and habits take time to form. By staying patient and consistent, you are supporting your dog’s long term health.

Thank you for trusting Bell & Bone with your fur baby. If you need any extra tips, have questions, or want to share your progress, we’re always here to help 🐾💜