Bichon steals Lhasa's dental chews? Here's the fix

A 3-year-old Bichon swiping your 8-year-old Lhasa's dental chews is such a common frustration — and it really matters here, because the Lhasa is the one who needs them most. Small breeds like Lhasas accumulate tartar fast, and at eight years old, dental disease can quietly become a source of real chronic pain that owners often don't spot until it's quite advanced. Small breeds are disproportionately prone to this because their teeth are crowded into smaller jaws, which accelerates both tartar buildup and gum disease. I want to make sure your Lhasa is actually getting the benefit. Has your vet mentioned dental concerns for either dog, and does the Lhasa tolerate brushing at all?

That's really useful to know — early tartar at eight means now is exactly the right time to get consistent about something, because it'll only progress otherwise. The brushing resistance is common in Lhasas; they can be stubborn about mouths. Given that the Bichon is the thief, can I ask: are you giving the chews in the same space, or have you tried separating them at all? And roughly how much does each dog weigh?

The speed difference is the whole problem here — the Bichon demolishes his and then targets hers before she's halfway done. The fix I'd suggest isn't a different chew, it's a different format. I'd recommend the Whimzees Variety Pack for Small Dogs. Whimzees are made from a very dense vegetable starch that takes significantly longer to get through than Dentastix — we're talking 10 to 20 minutes for a small dog versus 2 or 3. That slower pace means the Lhasa actually has time to finish hers, and the mechanical chewing action throughout is what does the real dental work. They're also fully digestible and free from artificial additives, which matters for an older dog. Give them in separate rooms with the door closed, even briefly — the Lhasa gets uninterrupted chewing time, and the Bichon burning through his quickly just means he finishes first without stealing hers. The variety pack also means neither dog gets bored of a single shape. For an 8-year-old with early tartar, consistent long chews like this are genuinely one of the better non-brushing options available.

Whimzees are well-suited for older dogs — they're gentler on teeth than hard nylon chews, so there's no risk of tooth fracture, which is worth thinking about with an 8-year-old. The texture is firm enough to scrape tartar but not so hard it causes damage. As for the Lhasa accepting them — most dogs take to them quickly because they have a mild, slightly sweet smell from the vegetable starch. If she's hesitant the first time, try rubbing a tiny bit of something she loves on the end, just to get her started. After a couple of sessions she'll know what it is. The Whimzees Variety Pack for Small Dogs is widely available on Amazon UK and usually works out cheaper per chew than Dentastix too.

The most important thing alongside the chews is asking your vet at the next visit whether a professional scale and polish is worth considering — at eight with visible early tartar, a one-off clean can reset the clock considerably and make ongoing maintenance much more effective. In between, a dental water additive like Plaque Off Animal can help slow tartar formation with almost no effort on your part — you just add a small amount to her water bowl daily. But honestly, getting the Lhasa consistently finishing a long chew several times a week is the biggest practical win you can make right now, and the Whimzees give you the best shot at that with a food-thieving Bichon in the house.