Your Dogs Dental Health

Keeping your dogs’ teeth clean and in good health is so important for their overall health and long-term wellbeing.

What is the difference between Plaque & Tartar? Plaque is a build-up of saliva, food, and bacteria that forms on the teeth, eventually turning into a brown hard substance, known as tartar. Tartar causes damage to the teeth and gums and can lead to gingivitis. The resulting bacteria can enter the bloodstream and damage the kidneys, liver, and heart.

Health dangers of a build-up of plaque, tartare, and gum disease. The bacteria that`s formed in an unhealthy mouth can travel via the bloodstream to the heart and circulatory system. This bacteria can cause heart and bowel disease and affect the immune system. There is also the added risk and expense of dogs having to receive a general anaesthetic for teeth cleaning, which is something we want to avoid if possible, particularly when caring for elderly dogs or those with other underlying health complications.

The Dental Hygiene blend has been made to improve oral health, loosen hardened tartar, prevent or greatly slow down the build-up of tartar and plaque, and assist in the maintenance of teeth and gums which is particularly useful in elderly dogs, that perhaps can no longer have a general anaesthetic.

The link to buy Hedgerow Hounds Dental Hygiene Blend is https://www.hedgerowhounds.co.uk/products/dental-hygiene

There is also a blog all about dental hygiene blend here https://www.hedgerowhounds.co.uk/news/dental-hygiene-formula

Other ways to speed up tartar removal and prevent further build-up.

• Feeding abrasive size-appropriate recreational raw bones and natural chews.

• Toothbrushing or cleaning with a lint cloth

Signs of tooth pain, gum disease, or mouth infection:

• Eating less, hesitancy to eat, favouring soft food over hard, dropping food and much slower eating than normal.

• Bad breath, red swollen gums, discoloured teeth.

• Inability or reluctance to open their mouth.

• Blood on gums, bedding, or toys.

• Scratching at their face or swelling and heat along the tooth line.

70% of dogs over 3 years of age have some form of dental disease. Small breeds such as toy Poodles, Cavalier King Charles, Schnauzers, and the Brachycephalic breeds are particularly prone and in larger breeds, the Greyhound is predisposed to tooth and gum disease.

Hedgerow Hounds makes veterinary-formulated supplements for dogs. The company was founded and is owned by a qualified holistic canine therapist with 30 years of experience in holistic dog care and nutrition.

Dental Hygiene Formula

The dental hygiene formula for dogs has been created to clean tartar and plaque from the teeth and to improve the overall health and hygiene of the mouth and gums. Although this blend’s main aim is to improve oral health there are so many benefits to feeding this supplement for improving all aspects of health and optimal wellbeing.

The blend is made up of ingredients of the highest human-grade food quality.

The Seaweed used is a certified Organic Fucus vesiculosus Seaweed. It is traceable to the precise location of harvest, from remote areas of the British Isles and Nordic region, so you can thoroughly trust the purity and source.

High quality, pollution-free seaweed is highly nutritious and offers your dog the following benefits:

• An effective prebiotic, high in antioxidants.

• High levels of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids, antioxidants & omega fatty acids.

• Iodine for optimum thyroid function.

• Improves skin, coat, and nail health and loss of pigmentation.

• Improved oral health by preventing or aiding in the removal of tartar and plaque formation. Seaweed has antibacterial properties to act against harmful bacteria in the mouth and alongside the other ingredients used greatly aid in disease prevention of teeth and gums.

Fennel is added for its ability to inhibit the build-up of plaque due to its high levels of polyphenols. Fennel can also reduce the growth of harmful bacteria and yeast. It has good levels of manganese, magnesium, Iron, calcium, and fibre. It also helps ease any intestinal gas and aids in digestion.

Oregano has powerful anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antibacterial actions. All these properties assist in creating good oral health and helping to ease issues such as gingivitis. Due to Oregano’s high levels of antioxidants, it is also effective at balancing the gut bacteria.

What is it good for? This dental hygiene for dogs has been specifically created with oral health in mind. It can help remove the build-up of plaque and tartar, and create a healthier environment in the mouth so issues are less likely to occur. If your dog has a serious dental issue that requires veterinary intervention the blend can be used afterwards to aid in the prevention of further disease and hopefully eliminate the need for another tooth clean under anaesthetic, which is particularly important when caring for senior dogs or those with other health problems.

How to use: There are several options for using this dental blend depending on the current health of your dogs mouth and the amount of tartar you are aiming to reduce.

As with any new supplement, it is recommended that you gradually introduce the blend over 5 days. If your dog has a visible build-up of tartare, stained teeth, bad breath, and inflamed gums then it is suggested that the suggested amount is fed over the space of approximately 15 weeks, although you may see a marked improvement well before then. All the amounts to feed are dependent on your dog’s body weight and are stated on the labelling of the product.

If your dog already has clean teeth and good oral health and you would like to keep it that way as they age, then the initial “loading” amount over several weeks isn`t necessary. It is suggested that you feed the full amount for 6 weeks and then drop down to half that amount for maintenance. As an example, a 35kg Labrador would have half a teaspoon (approx. 2g of the powder) daily for 6 weeks, after this time the amount given can be halved if required to a quarter teaspoon (1g) for 5-7 days a week.

If at any time you see discolouring of the teeth, the amount can then of course be increased again to the maximum amount of half a teaspoon for that particular body weight. Each dog is an individual and the rate of plaque formation will vary depending on breed, age, diet and lifestyle so initially it may take a little while to find the exact amount that is suited to your dog.

Can I speed up the removal of hard tartar? Yes, you can speed up the process if there is hard tartare or a build-up in certain areas. Abrasive natural chews or size-appropriate recreational raw bones will help lift the tartar. Teeth cleaning with a toothbrush or lint cloth to ease any loosening tartar away. You may find there is often a stained area at the very top of the canine tooth nearest to the gum line which bones and chews can`t reach. This can be removed with a lint cloth or toothbrush once the supplement has been used for a couple of months.

Important message for certain health concerns:

Due to seaweed’s naturally occurring iodine content, it is not suitable for dogs that are undergoing veterinary treatment for hyperthyroidism or on thyroid medication. Also, avoid feeding this blend to pregnant and lactating females until the litter is weaned.

Hedgerow Hounds makes veterinary-formulated supplements for dogs. The company was founded and is owned by a qualified holistic canine therapist with 30 years of experience in holistic dog care and nutrition.

Energy Snack Bars for Dogs

If you are out all day with your dog, have a strenuous training session planned, or a busy day at a show, these snack bars are ideal for active dogs and those that need a pick me up.

You will need:

A baking tray lined with baking parchment

250g Gluten-free rolled oats or Oatmeal

A generous pinch of crushed Pumpkin seeds

1 small ripe mashed banana

Optional half teaspoon of almond nut butter (must be palm oil & xylitol free) Pip & Nut make a good one.

4 blueberries, lightly crushed with a fork or dried unsweetened cranberries.

1 level teaspoon of local honey (not for pups under 12 months) or blackstrap molasses

1 tablespoon of melted coconut oil

1 level teaspoon of your favourite Hedgerow Hounds herbal blend.

Optional: 1 teaspoon harvested nettle seeds if they are in season.

Optional generous pinch of cinnamon or turmeric, if your dog likes the taste.

Place the oats, seeds, berries and banana into a saucepan over a low heat. When the contents are starting to get warm, add the coconut oil, honey and cinnamon, stirring and crushing with the back of a fork if necessary, until the ingredients are combined. 

Spoon evenly onto the baking tray, levelling out and pressing down firmly with the back of a wooden spoon.

Place on the middle shelf of a pre-heated oven at 180 °C for approximately 20-25 minutes until a light golden brown.  

Remove the tray from the oven and, while still warm, gently cut the size of rectangles you require with a knife. Leave to cool completely in the tin before lifting the energy bars out.

Make sure the bars are cold before storing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or alternatively wrap the bars individually and freeze. 

www.Hedgerow Hounds.co.uk

Green Dog Pesto - Spring

Full of fresh green goodness, this smoothie recipe for your dog has a little twist in the form of added nuts and seeds.

Almonds are rich in vitamin E and magnesium, and Pumpkin seeds are a good source of zinc and selenium. As an alternative to almonds, a brazil nut can be added, but avoid using macadamia or any salted nuts.

At this time of year, there is no shortage of seasonal greens, but the following are favourites of mine. Choose a few leaves from the following or add one or two to your dog’s usual veggie blend.  

Parsley, Fennel, Basil, Little Gem or Coz lettuce, cavalo nero kale, Wild Garlic, Dandelion leaves, Watercress, Cleavers, Spinach, Chard, Spring Greens, Asparagus stalks.

Many of these are easy to grow at home or can be foraged for, and when freshly picked, are even more nutritious.

You will need

A selection of Summer greens (approximately 2 cups full)

2 whole, unblanched almonds

5 Pumpkin seeds

A splash of water, cooled green tea (caffeine-free) or make a tea from a Hedgerow Hounds herbal blend, Nature’s Tonic or Nature’s Bounty, as an example.

How to Make:

Place your selected leaves and any veggies into a smoothie maker or blender and add enough water or your herb tea to blend into a thick puree consistency.

Keep in the fridge and use within 2 days or freeze in individual moulds for later use

If your dog is new to eating vegetables, then start off with small amounts and gradually increase over a week or two. Steamed or pulped, (low GI and low starch) vegetables can make up around 10%-15% of your dogs meals and are a nice addition to any diet.

Caroline Hearn – Hedgerow Hounds

The Importance of Water to your Dogs Health

Dogs are made up of around 70% water and it supports every bodily function, without an adequate supply dogs become dehydrated and seriously ill.

In this current hot spell it is even more important to provide a generous amount of clean, fresh water which helps maintain a normal body temperature and to keep the essential electrolyte balance.

Water bowls need to be scrubbed clean to remove any saliva which quickly builds up and is an environment for bacteria to grow. Newly poured water in a clean bowl is much more inviting to a dog and will encourage them to drink freely.

As a guide a dog needs 1oz of water per 1lb of body weight. There are certain circumstances in which a dog will need more water such as very hot weather (3-4 times as much), a bitch that is nursing puppies, kibble fed dogs will need more water than dogs fed a moist food, a dog that has a bout of vomiting and diarrhoea and in this heat it is wise to contact your vet as its essential that they maintain their body fluids.

If you have to take your dog out in warm weather then take plenty of water and a water bowl that your dog is familiar with. At shows and competitions there are often bowls left out for dogs to drink from, not only is there a potential risk of infection between the dogs but also many dogs refuse to drink, even when thirsty from a communal bowl which is full of others saliva and who can blame them.

If you leave your dog at home while you go out make sure they have a non spill bowl, a raised bowl on a stand or a second water bowl elsewhere, then should the water get tipped over there is still another source. Fresh water in the garden is also a good idea but remember to bring the bowl in at night or discard the water and scrub clean before allowing the dog to drink from it due to risk of contamination from wildlife and importantly slugs and snails which will visit it over night and possibly be carrying lungworm.

The signs of dehydration are shown as the dog being very listless, dull sunken eyes, dry, tacky gums and nose, absence of or  passing very dark urine, unsteady gait or even collapse.

Along with the above symptoms there are a couple of ways of testing for dehydration in your dog. One is to press lightly on the gums and as you remove your finger the pink colour should return with a couple of seconds.

Another way is to lift a fold of skin up between the dogs shoulder blades and then release, the skin should return immediately. If the dog is dehydrated then the skin will slowly return to normal or may even stay upright. Any of these symptoms would require immediate care from a vet for a successful outcome and full recovery of the dog.

For dogs that are not big drinkers you may need to encourage them to take more fluids in hot weather. This can be done by blending ingredients naturally high in moisture and either offering it to them or stirring into their food. This smoothie shown below, using watermelon, lettuce, chard, spinach & berries blended with water, can also be made into a dog friendly ice lolly or frozen into Kongs etc. Bone broth (home made or shop bought) diluted with water can tempt even the fussiest drinker to consume more fluids.

Summer Coat Rinse

A soothing, cooling coat rinse for hot summer days or a spritz to ease any itchiness at this time of year.

You`ll need:

A large measuring jug

Spray/Mist bottle

Organic Cider Vinegar - 1 tablespoon

1 teabag Nettle tea & 1 teabag Chamomile tea (Green tea is also a good substitute)

Optional: 1 teaspoon of calendula or lavender petals

Use boiled cooled water or filtered water to top up the jug.

Place the tea bags & optional calendula petals into half a jug and add hot water. Leave to steep to make a strong brew for 10-15 minutes. Stir in the cider vinegar. Top up with cold water to make a full jug.

Either use as a coat rinse when it is tepid in temperature or place into a water mist bottle.
It can be stored in the fridge for up to 7 days.

Who is behind Hedgerow Hounds

Who started Hedgerow Hounds, and where did it all begin?

Hello, I am Caroline, the founder of Hedgerow Hounds and here is the tale of how it all began.

From my earliest memories, dogs have been the love of my life.

The dogs that I shared my childhood with were my constant companions, best friends, and a source of pure joy. I cannot find a single photo of me as a child that does not feature a dog.

They include my first childhood Collie named Penny, as well as Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, and Cavaliers, all very different characters, but all very loved.

The moment I left home, I collected two puppies of my very own, and a 40-year love affair with the Labrador retriever began.

Despite the school careers advisor suggesting I should become a secretary, there was only ever going to be one career for me, which would involve being outside and working with dogs and horses. Believe me, I would have made an appalling secretary and not lasted a day!

Whilst working on a smallholding caring for horses, sheep, and cattle, I came across an extraordinary homoeopathic vet called Chris Day. He would appear with his “magic” wooden box full of remedies and acupuncture needles, and the results he would get were, on occasion, nothing short of miraculous. I listened to his every word about herbs, homoeopathy, osteopathy, nutrition, and holistic health and absorbed it like a sponge.

A seed was sown in my mind, and my pathway became clear. I was blessed to have him as my vet for many years, and he started me on a lifelong journey learning about natural healthcare for our pets and ourselves.

The dream was to become a sports massage therapist, treating horses, dogs, and people. My journey in that particular field started in the year 2000, and in those days, you had to qualify in human sports massage before you were accepted onto a course for animals.

After qualifying in human massage, I enrolled on an equine sports massage diploma, which was one of the very few in the UK at that time, and then later found the equivalent in canine therapy, which involved many trips back and forth to Exmoor in Somerset for around three years until I completed both courses.

I went on to study other modalities in holistic health and advanced clinical massage, and I still practice today, despite the herbs taking over somewhat in recent years.

Due to having horses, my dogs have been very fortunate in that they have access to fields and open spaces in which to wander and have the freedom to engage in natural behaviour.

They explored certain areas, picking at grasses, foraging blackberries, nipping the tops out of the herbs, and occasionally digging up roots to chew on. I also noticed that what was of interest to them varied with the changing seasons.

They are out with me in all weathers and experience many different sensations underfoot, such as mud, snow, frost, parched hard ground, stubble fields, and woodland tracks. One will pick up a scent on the breeze of a smelly fox that has trotted by in the early hours, while another inspects a twig on the ground with such intensity that their nose runs, and they seem to zone out for a while. The changing daylight hours also have an impact on them, as it does on us.

I realised just how lucky the dogs were to have free access to these plants and interact with nature, and how fortunate I was to observe their behaviour on a daily and seasonal basis.

I wanted all dogs to benefit from the gifts that Mother Nature has to offer, so with that in mind, Hedgerow Hounds was born. I got together with a holistic vet and veterinary herbalist to create the herbal blends that are available today. The blends are still made by hand in small batches, and a lot of love and knowledge go into every single one. If your dog needs more support, I offer consultations and can make bespoke blends.

I have around 30 years of experience feeding dogs both a raw and home cooked diets, and have written a couple of canine nutrition diploma courses.

More recently, I have concentrated on creating and planting enrichment gardens for dogs, which involve planting dog-safe herbs and adding in sensory areas such as aroma and texture underfoot. I published my first book on this topic in 2025, which can be found on Amazon or the Hedgerow Hounds website.

You don`t need to have a field or even a large garden to create a fantastic enrichment area; in fact, I designed one a couple of years ago in a small courtyard using pots and planters, which worked extremely well.

The aim of this book is to get you thinking on a deeper level about what your dog is doing when they are interacting with the space around them, what is happening when they sniff an object, walk over different textures on the ground, and how you can share more ways to experience nature with your dog. It is not just about the how but equally the why.

Hopefully, I can guide you in creating a space that your dog loves, and as a huge bonus, you get bitten by the herb bug and welcome these incredible plants into your life.

I work alongside a number of other canine professionals in different fields, so if at any point I cannot help or I feel there is someone much more specialised in a specific area that would benefit you and your pet, I will happily give details of those I trust and know are qualified to assist.

I look forward to connecting with you and helping your beautiful dog holistically.

Last year I wrote my first book, so if you would like to learn more about canine enrichment, planning a herb garden for your dog and enjoying the outdoor space together then this may be just what you are looking for. I have paperback copies on the website or if you prefer an eBook then head over to Amazon for those. Here is the link to the book: https://www.hedgerowhounds.co.uk/products/p/canine-enrichment-herb-garden-book

www.hedgerowhounds.co.uk