16 Aug
Between meals, treats, dental care, and supplements, it's easy to end up buying based on the packaging rather than what your dog actually needs. Here's a practical way to think through it, based on what's genuinely useful at different life stages.
Dental Health: More Important Than Most Owners Realize
Dental disease is one of the most common, and most preventable, health issues in dogs, and daily brushing isn't realistic for most households. This is where dedicated dental chews genuinely earn their place, rather than being just another treat.
Pedigree Dentastix, sized appropriately for small, medium, or large breeds, works through the chewing action to help reduce plaque and tartar buildup along the gumline. Milk-Bone Brushing Chews serve a similar purpose for larger dogs.
A simple rule: if your dog isn't getting regular teeth brushing, a daily dental chew is a genuinely worthwhile addition, not just an extra treat.
Everyday Treats: Reward Without Overdoing It
Milk-Bone's Soft & Chewy and Original Crunchy Biscuit ranges are suited for everyday training rewards and general treating, while Ol' Roy Munchy Bones offer a longer-lasting chew option for dogs that enjoy extended gnawing.
As with cats, a sensible guideline is keeping treats to roughly 10% of daily caloric intake, so treating doesn't crowd out balanced nutrition from main meals.
Supplements: When They Actually Matter
Not every dog needs supplements, but certain life stages or conditions genuinely benefit from targeted support:
Joint health. Larger breeds, senior dogs, or very active dogs are more prone to joint wear over time. Natural Care Hip & Joint Chews and Liquid-Vet K9 Joint Wellness both offer glucosamine-based support, useful either preventatively for at-risk breeds or supportively once mobility issues appear.
General vitamins. Natural Care Multi Vitamins and TruHealthPet Vitality chews cover broader nutritional gaps, useful for dogs on a less varied diet or during recovery periods.
Skin and coat. TruHealthPet Shine Skin + Coat supports coat condition, particularly useful for breeds prone to dryness or seasonal shedding.
Digestive support. Natural Care Pre & Probiotic Chews can help dogs with sensitive digestion or those transitioning between foods.
Anxiety and calming. Natural Care Calming Chews and TruHealth Pet Calm Supplement are commonly used for dogs dealing with stress triggers like thunderstorms, travel, or separation anxiety.
When to Introduce Supplements
Rather than giving every supplement preventatively, it's worth matching the product to an actual need a young, healthy, active dog generally doesn't need joint support yet, while a senior or large-breed dog might genuinely benefit starting earlier rather than waiting for visible mobility issues.
A Simple Rule for Building a Routine
- Daily: Balanced main meal appropriate to life stage
- Daily or near-daily: A dental chew, if brushing isn't happening regularly
- As needed: Training or reward treats, kept to a modest portion of daily calories
- If applicable: A targeted supplement (joint, digestive, calming) based on your dog's specific age, breed tendencies, or observed needs
Where to Start
Browse our full Dog Foods collection, including Pedigree, Milk-Bone, Ol' Roy, and health-focused options from Natural Care and TruHealthPet, shipped island-wide across Sri Lanka.
