Pet Digest

Dental Kibble for Dogs: Why I Don’t Recommend It “But it’s dental kibble—it’s supposed to clean their teeth, right?” It’s one of the most common misconceptions I hear from well-meaning pet parents: that a special kibble marketed for dental health will keep their dog’s teeth clean and gums healthy. Unfortunately, dental kibble isn’t the magic solution it’s advertised to be—and in many cases, it can give pet parents a false sense of security while underlying issues continue to develop. Let’s unpack the truth about dental kibble, and what I do recommend instead. --- 🦷 But First—Dogs Don’t Chew Like We Do One of the biggest flaws in the logic behind dental kibble is assuming that dogs chew their food in the same way humans do. They don’t. Dogs lack flat molars meant for grinding food the way we do. Their jaws move up and down only—not side to side—so there’s very little grinding or shearing motion. Most dogs are gulpers, not chewers. Especially with kibble, which is small, dry, and easy t...

What Is a Designer Diet for Dogs? The Trendy Foods Pet Parents Should Think Twice About Designer Diets: Trendy or Truly Beneficial? If you’ve ever walked into a pet store and seen dog food labeled as “ancestral,” “wild,” or “biologically appropriate,” you’ve probably come across a designer diet—but what does that actually mean? And more importantly, is it really good for your dog? Let’s break it down in a way that’s honest, practical, and backed by what we know today. --- 🐾 What Is a Designer Diet? The term “designer diet” usually refers to boutique, grain-free, or exotic-ingredient dog food. These formulas became popular as pet parents started demanding more from dog food—less mystery meat and more recognizable, premium ingredients. Designer diets often include: Exotic proteins like kangaroo, rabbit, or bison Uncommon carbs like lentils, chickpeas, or sweet potatoes Buzzwords like "ancestral," “wild-caught,” or “raw-inspired” Grain-free claims, often without a real reason S...