Dogs are susceptible to dental issues such as tooth decay and periodontal gum disease, just like people. The way your dog eats can have a big impact on how healthy their teeth and gums are: Dental chews, a kind of dog treat, typically have a mild abrasive impact to physically brush away buildup, and a number of dog meals and kibbles are designed to lessen plaque and tartar on their teeth.
I discussed the advantages of dental chews, how frequently your dog should eat them, and what factors to look for when buying them with veterinarians. Based on their advice and recommendations, as well as the products that NBC Select editors feed their own pets, I also put together a list of the top ones to buy.
GO Ahead and SkipWhy trust NBC Select? How did I choose the finest dog dental chews? The greatest dog dental chews?
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Best overallGreenies Regular Dog Dental Treats
$undefined$17.98Amazon
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Best for sensitive stomachsVirbac CET Veggiedent FR3SH Tartar Control Chews
$30.50$35.99Amazon
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Best for fresh breathPurina DentaLife Chews
$13.74$15.19Amazon
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Best budget dog chewPedigree Dentastix
$15.99$16.98Amazon
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How I picked the best dental chews for dogs
When combined with routine teeth cleaning, dental chews can help keep your dog’s teeth clean and healthy. Our specialists advise taking into account the following elements when looking for dental chews:
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VOHC Registered Seal:
They appear on the council s list ofaccepted products
with the certified mark.
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Size:
Make sure the dental chews and treats are sized appropriately for your dog since they can be a choking hazard. -
Nutritional information on the packaging:
This allows you to keep track of your dog s daily calorie intake and adjust their daily food portions accordingly to avoid exceeding the recommended amount. -
Your dog s age:
Dental treats are recommended for dogs aged six months and older. Pups less than six months old should not receive dental treats since their adult teeth haven t come in yet, according to our experts.
Best dental chews for dogs
I’ve highlighted VOHC-approved dog dental chews below that follow the advice of our experts. Dogs six months and up can enjoy all of the dental treats on this list.
Best overall:
Greenies Regular Dog Dental Treats
Greenies Regular Dog Dental Treats
- Available in bulk, multi-pack
- Fresh minty smell
- Easy-to-digest
- Expensive
According to the manufacturer, greenies are a well-liked dental treat that can help keep your dog’s gums healthy and freshen their breath. Since she was six months old, I have been giving the Teeny Greenies to my 15-pound, 6-year-old Bella, a mix of Havanese and Bichon Frise, and she has never experienced any dental problems. She really enjoys the flavor of them. The brand claims that these toothbrush-shaped products are manufactured with easily digested vitamins, minerals, and components including wheat flour and glycerin. Greenies A package of regular size treats might include anywhere from three to seventy-two treats.
• Sizes: Teenie (5 to 15 pounds), Petite (15 to 25 pounds), Regular (25 to 50 pounds), and Large (50 to 100 pounds) | VOHC-approved function: Reduce plaque and tartar | Calories per chew: 26 kcal for Teenie, 56 kcal for Petite, 91 kcal for Regular, and 147 kcal for Large
Best for sensitive stomachs:
Virbac CET Veggiedent FR3SH Tartar Control Chews
Virbac CET Veggiedent FR3SH Tartar Control Chews
- Plant-based
- Unique Z-shape
- Expensive
According to the business, the Virbac dental chews are plant-based, gluten-free, and easily digested for dogs with food sensitivities, which is why they won an NBC Select Pet Award. According to Virbac, its special Z-shape enables the treat to scrape away tartar in various areas of your dog’s mouth. There are 30-treat and 60-treat packages of these chews available.
• Sizes: Extra-small (less than 11 pounds), small (between 11 and 22 pounds), medium (between 22 and 66 pounds), and big (above 66 pounds) | VOHC-approved function: Reduces plaque and tartar | Calories per chew: 24 kcal for small, 48 kcal for small and medium, and 105 kcal for large
Best for fresh breath:
Purina DentaLife Chews
Purina DentaLife Chews
- Reduces tartar
- Freshens breath
- Cleans teeth well
- Large size
According to the firm, Purina DentaLife Chews have been shown in manufacturer testing to reduce tartar build-up by an average of 57%. According to Purina, the chews’ eight unique ridges can benefit teeth by mechanically cleaning them, and the long stick shape makes it easier to reach teeth in the back of their mouth. These chews are available from the brand in three different sizes and in quantities ranging from ten to ninety-four.
Mini (5 to 25 pounds), small/medium (20 to 40 pounds), and giant (above 40 pounds) are available. VOHC-approved function: Reduces tartar. Each chew has 25 kcal, 63 kcal, and 100 kcal of calories.
Best budget-friendly:
Pedigree Dentastix
Pedigree Dentastix
- Nice X-shape
- Includes essential vitamins
- Nice mint scent
- Beef won’t freshen breath
With daily or weekly use, these dental sticks from Pedigree—another favorite of my dog Bella’s—can clean teeth, lessen tartar buildup, and improve breath. According to Pedigree, the stick’s distinctive X-shape creates ridges that help scrape away plaque and clean teeth all the way down to the gum line. Along with vital vitamins and minerals like folic acid and vitamin B12, the chews also contain teeth-cleaning substances like sodium tripolyphosphate. These chews are available in quantities of 10, 25, and 45 pieces and come in flavors like beef, chicken, and mint.
Mini (7–22 pounds), small/medium (22–40 pounds), and big (over 40 pounds) sizes are available. VOHC-approved function: Reduces plaque and tartar. Each chew has 21 kcal, 53 kcal, and 76 kcal of calories.
Best chew toy:
Woof The Bite n Brush Starter Pack
Woof The Bite n Brush Starter Pack
- Brush and treat combo
- Extends life of treat
- Best for active dogs
- Not for extreme chewers
Woof sBite n Brushtoy is a good option if your dog chews for long periods of time. Simply fill the brush with the brand’s dental treats (or any other treat of your choosing) to remove plaque and tartar from their teeth using the V-shaped device’s silicone bristles along the inside. It also makes chewing a dental treat take longer. Since Enzo, my family’s one-year-old goldendoodle, is an energetic chewer, this brush cleans and polishes his teeth while entertaining him for a lot longer than a standard dental treat would. The brush and dental treat refills (which you may buy once or have delivered to your door automatically every four, six, or eight weeks) are included in the starter box.
Small (10-30 pounds) and big (30+ lbs) sizes are available; the VOHC-approved function is to reduce plaque and tartar. Each chew has 56 kcal.
Best low calorie:
Pupford Dental Chews
Pupford Dental Chews
- Mint-flavored
- Textured ridges
- Good for sensitive stomachs
- Large size
I give Bella this Pupford choice when I want to give her a dental chew that will keep her busy for a few minutes. It keeps her occupied and strengthens her teeth at the same time because it is thicker and larger than most dental treats. Its minty taste also helps to freshen Bella’s breath. There are packs of 14 and 30 of these chews.
Function certified by VOHC: lowers tartar and plaque | Size: One size | Calories per chew: 72 kcal
Best splurge:
OraVet Hygiene Dental Chews
OraVet Hygiene Dental Chews
- Effective for teeth
- Reduces gingivitis
- More expensive
These chews, another NBC Select Pet Award winner, include delmopinol hydrochloride, which experts believe helps to lower plaque, and are hard enough to clean teeth. According to OraVet, they also act as a protective agent to stop further accumulation and lessen the development of gingivitis on the teeth. The chews come in 14-count and 30-count packets, and they are designed for dogs six months and above.
This VOHC-approved product lowers tartar. It comes in the following sizes: extra-small (3.5 to 9 pounds), small (10 to 24 pounds), medium (25 to 50 pounds), and large (above 50 pounds). Each chew has 26.8 kcal, 47.7 kcal, 80.5 kcal, and 128.2 kcal of calories.
Best textured chews:
Milk-Bone Original Brushing Chews
Milk-Bone Original Brushing Chews
- Keeps dogs busy
- Dogs love them
- Good size
- Scent isn’t for everyone
The firm claims that the innovative shape of these Milk-Bone chews, which have bristle-like nubs and ridges that are intended to twist while your dog chews, helps reduce tartar and combat foul breath. The chews, which are designed to taste like tasty chicken, contain 12 important vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin E, calcium iodate, and ferrous sulfate. These chews come in a9-, 25-, or 36-count bags.
Mini (for dogs weighing 5 to 24 pounds), small/medium (for dogs weighing 25 to 49 pounds), and big (for dogs weighing over 50 pounds) are available. VOHC-approved function: Reduces tartar. Each chew has 30 kcal, 65 kcal, and 100 kcal of calories.
Best rawhide chews:
Tartar Shield Soft Rawhide Chews
Tartar Shield Soft Rawhide Chews
- Reduces tartar
- Safe rawhide
- Large size
- Harder than other chews
With ingredients like sodium tripolyphosphate that help prevent tartar formation, Tartar Shield’s Soft Rawhide Chews have been clinically shown to reduce bacteria and tartar buildup by more than 50%. According to the brand, these chews are designed so your dog may bite into, chew, and digest them securely because the rawhide is chopped, unlike traditional rawhide, which can be a choking hazard for many dogs, as experts informed us in our guide to dog toys. Each bag of these chews has eight to thirty snacks with a savory bacon flavor.
Function authorized by VOHC:Size: small (less than 35 pounds), big (between 35 and 75 pounds), and extra-large (more than 70 pounds) | Calories per chew:240 kcal for extra-large, 78 kcal for large, and 51 kcal for small
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Frequently asked questions
Regular dental cleanings at the veterinarian and daily tooth brushing with a toothpaste and toothbrush combination that is safe for dogs are the best ways to keep your dog’s teeth clean and free of plaque. Dental chews may also be beneficial. According to experts, they function by mechanically scraping food residue and microorganisms that cause odors off their teeth. Certain dental chews contain a chemical anti-plaque ingredient, such as delmopinol, which forms a barrier to protect the teeth.
According to Dr. Joe Wakshlag, professor of clinical nutrition and sports medicine and rehabilitation at Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, dental treats can be a useful supplement to your dog’s at-home oral health care routine by assisting in the removal of some plaque accumulation on their teeth. He notes that these treats shouldn’t be used in place of the previously suggested teeth-cleaning techniques, nor should they be given to puppies younger than six months old because their adult teeth haven’t yet erupted.
Finding a registered certification mark from the Veterinary Oral Health Council, an organization of the American Veterinary Dental College, is advised by the veterinarians I spoke with. This mark certifies that the dental treatment has fulfilled predetermined criteria that demonstrate it can reduce calculus (tartar) and plaque development on your dog’s teeth by 15–25%. According to the American Veterinary Dental College, the VOHC, a panel of veterinary dentists and dental scientists, evaluates data from manufacturers’ research studies and bestows the VOHC Seal on items that they believe can lessen the severity of periodontal disease in dogs and cats with consistent usage.
When combined with other teeth-cleaning techniques, dental chews can help lessen the buildup of plaque and tartar. You should also consider what type of chewer your dog is to see if they d actually benefit from regular dental treats or if that ll just be empty added calories, says Wakshlag.
If you do notice they are not fully chewing their treats, it s likely better to schedule annual professional dental cleanings, especially for smaller dogs who are more prone to dental problems, says Wakshlag.
Make sure to track the dental treat calories and adjust food portions accordingly treats shouldn t exceed more than 10% of your dog s daily calorie intake, experts told us in myguide to dog treats. If your dog is getting several treats throughout the day, it s probably best to give them two to three dental chews a week rather than giving them out daily, says Wakshlag. And just like their regular treats, always consider the size of your dog and avoid chews or sticks that are too small for the breed to avoid choking hazards, says Caylee Freels, a licensed veterinary technician atVCA White Lake Animal Hospital.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
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Dr. Joe Wakshlag
is a board-certified veterinarian and professor of clinical nutrition and sports medicine and rehabilitation at Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine.
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Caylee Freels
is a licensed veterinary technician atVCA White Lake Animal Hospital
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Why trust NBC Select?
I am anupdates editor at NBC Selectwho covers a variety of pet topics, includingdog food,beds,treats,toysand more. For this article, I spoke to four veterinarians and veterinary technicians about the benefits and limitations of dog dental chews and whether they re worth it for your pet. I also compiled their recommendations for the best dental chews to consider and researched dozens of options on the market based on the experts guidance.
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