I’ll admit something embarrassing…for a long time, I paid more attention to my dog’s coat than his teeth. I mean how many of us have done that, I think a lot of us are guilty of this.

Shiny fur? Great.

Good energy? Perfect.

Breath that could knock me out from across the room? ….We may have ignored that….

Until one day at the vet, when I heard the sentence every pet parent dreads:

“He’s starting to build up tartar.” EEEKKKK. Now let’s not be too dramatic as it was nothing urgent, luckily. Just a reminder that teeth matter, and not just for fresh breath. I took that reminder as my sign to get serious about his teeth too.

I think a lot of us forget that our pets’ teeth affect way more than their smiles.

Dental health connects to digestion.

To heart health.

To how comfortably they eat.

To how long they stay healthy.

And here’s the part that surprised me most:

One of the easiest ways to support dental health starts with what’s already in their bowl. HELLO PURINA ONE, thank goodness, what I love about Purina ONE is that it’s not a “one problem, one solution” kind of food.

It’s built to support the whole pet, from the inside out. Both the Cat food and Dog food.

• High-quality protein for strong muscles.
• Vitamins and minerals for immune support.
• Omega fatty acids for healthy skin and shiny coats.

And yes, textures and formulations designed to help with oral health, too.

For dogs, many Purina ONE dry formulas are made with a crunchy kibble texture that naturally helps reduce plaque buildup as they chew. It is not a replacement for brushing or dental cleanings…but it does help mechanically scrape away some of the stuff that leads to tartar over time.

For cats, it’s similar. Certain Purina ONE dry recipes are designed to support oral health by encouraging more chewing, which helps limit plaque accumulation while also supporting things like urinary health and digestion.

It’s subtle. It’s simple, and it works quietly in the background. Which, honestly, is exactly how I prefer my pet care sometimes when I need a little extra help at that moment. It turns out dental care is not just “that thing the vet talks about once a year” but instead now all year long when using Purina ONE in my dog’s diet. It became part of his routine.

Most of us aren’t brushing our dog’s teeth every night. And almost no one is brushing a cat’s teeth daily, but we are feeding them every day. That means choosing a food that supports more than just full bellies. We need to support their dental hygiene as well, and it is one of the smartest, easiest ways to protect their health long-term, and the benefits go far beyond teeth.

Since switching and staying consistent with Purina ONE, I’ve noticed:

Better digestion.

More steady energy.

Healthier coats.

And yes, noticeably better breath. Not “minty fresh,” obviously but no longer the “why does your mouth smell like that”. I will take that win.

From my Vet to you here is your gentle reminder:

Check their teeth.

Ask your vet questions.

Pay attention to their breath.

Choose food that supports more than just hunger.

And if your dog still tries to lick your face after this…At least now you know you are doing your part in their Dental Health.