The Best Dental Chews For Dogs

Dogs are family. I never realized the extent of Americans’ love affair with dogs until I read this article on The Economist entitled America’s extreme obsession with dogs and what it means (published November 23, 2019). 

We can’t deny it! The US has cultivated the most dog-loving community in the world. In the US and its northern neighbor, it’s good to be born a fluffy dog.

Unless you get crappy luck in this life and end up with an animal abuser, chances are you’ll be a pampered, much-loved-on family member. Those American ‘hoomans’ are suckers for puppy dog eyes. And who could resist? 

Western societies basically treat their pets like family. The dogs sleep on their owner’s beds, get expensive grooming sessions with grooming experts (and sometimes, a dog grooming session is more expensive than a human haircut!), get belly rubs, the best-tasting kibble, and treats.

An overabundance of treats can lead to poor oral health. But pet owners now have an ace up their sleeve that helps them fight canine tooth decay and bad breath – dental chews. Let’s dig into this article so you can familiarize yourself with this helpful oral care tool (treat?).

Best Dental Chews For Dogs: Our Top 3 Picks

Preview
Best Overall
Greenies Grain Free Teenie Natural Dental Care Dog Treats, 36 oz. Pack (130 Treats)
Runner-up
Milk-Bone Original Brushing Chews, 26 Large Daily Dental Dog Treats
Best Value
Purina DentaLife ActivFresh Chicken Flavor Large Breed Adult Dog Dental Chews - 7 Count (Pack of 5)
Features
It comes with a unique texture that can clean the gum-line to fight tartar and plaque and keep your dog’s breath fresh.
The dental chew is fortified with 12 essential minerals and vitamins, sealed with freshness, and doesn’t contain artificial flavors. 
It features a porous texture and eight distinct ridges to clean even the hard-to-reach teeth down on your gum-line.
Prime
-
-
-
Best Overall
Preview
Greenies Grain Free Teenie Natural Dental Care Dog Treats, 36 oz. Pack (130 Treats)
Features
It comes with a unique texture that can clean the gum-line to fight tartar and plaque and keep your dog’s breath fresh.
Prime
-
Check Price
Runner-up
Preview
Milk-Bone Original Brushing Chews, 26 Large Daily Dental Dog Treats
Features
The dental chew is fortified with 12 essential minerals and vitamins, sealed with freshness, and doesn’t contain artificial flavors. 
Prime
-
Check Price
Best Value
Preview
Purina DentaLife ActivFresh Chicken Flavor Large Breed Adult Dog Dental Chews - 7 Count (Pack of 5)
Features
It features a porous texture and eight distinct ridges to clean even the hard-to-reach teeth down on your gum-line.
Prime
-
Check Price

Last update on 2024-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

What Is A Dental Chew?  

Dental chews for dogs are beneficial for your pet’s oral health. Are you not familiar with dental chew? Well, it helps to break down tartar while allowing your pet to enjoy its natural urge to chew.

Even though it is not an alternative to brushing, it is a good addition to your dog’s dental health. The more they use dental chew, the more they can remove tartar and plaque.  

Remember that dog dental chews are not created equal. In addition, a dog has a different chewing capacity compared to humans. That’s why you need to be careful in choosing suitable dental chews for your beloved pet.

Dental chews can offer friction against your dog’s gum and tooth, which helps reduce tartar and plaque. Make sure to get only vet-recommended dog chews for your dog. 

What Is The Importance Of Dental Chews?

You may not know it, but with the best dental chews for dogs, you can help your pet keep its good oral health. Like humans, dogs can also have oral problems like bleeding, swollen or irritated gums, bad breath, tartar, plaque, and pain.

Dental chews can help solve these oral issues on your dog. It can help to improve the gum and teeth health of your little best friend. So, if you want to keep your dog’s oral health, opt for the best vet-recommended dog dental chews.

Improving Dental Health

Dogs are not fond of brushing their teeth regularly. Hence, the best way to improve their dental health is by using dental chews.

Reducing Bad Breath

While it may seem outrageous, dogs do get bad breaths because of various reasons. It’s because of bacterial build-up or food stuck in their teeth.

Dental chews will help eliminate the bad breath, keeping their mouth fresh and clean. However, it is always good to check with your vet to ensure the bad breath is not caused by an underlying medical problem.

Top Dental Chews For Dogs

 Milk-Bone Original Brushing Chews

The Milk-Bone Original Brushing Chews is one of the best dental treats for dogs you can avail in the market.

Milk-Bone Original Brushing Chews

It has 8.1-ounce bags of 6 big Daily Dental Dog Treats (total of 30 treats.) It comes with an irresistible flavor and patented design to promote strong teeth.

The product has Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Accepted Seal and patented design to reduce the buildup of tartar and maintain fresher breath and healthy gums.

The dental chew is fortified with 12 essential minerals and vitamins, sealed with freshness, and doesn’t contain artificial flavors. 

Milk-Bone Original Brushing Chews, 26 Large Daily Dental Dog Treats
  • Contains (1) 35 Ounce Bag of 26 Large Daily Dental Dog Treats
  • Dog chews combine irresistible taste with patented design to help support strong teeth
  • Patented design helps reduce tartar buildup, maintain healthy gums, and freshen breath through scrubbing action

Last update on 2024-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

GREENIES Grain Free Natural Dental Dog Treats 

GREENIES Grain Free can be the best dog dental treats for your lovely pet. It comes with a unique texture that can clean the gum-line to fight tartar and plaque and keep your dog’s breath fresh.

GREENIES Grain Free Dental Dog Treat

These chews have no grain and are made from tasty dried potatoes.

The dog treats are made in Kansas City, MO, USA facility with the finest ingredients in the world. They are highly recommended by veterinarians and accepted by VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council). 

Greenies Grain Free Teenie Natural Dental Care Dog Treats, 36 oz. Pack (130 Treats)
  • Contains one (1) 36 oz. 13-count pack of GREENIES Grain Free TEENIE Natural Dental Dog Treats; Natural Dog Treats Plus...
  • The unique texture of GREENIES Dog Chews cleans down to the gumline to fight plaque and tartar and freshen bad dog breath
  • GREENIES Treats for Dogs are veterinarian recommended and accepted by the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council)

Last update on 2024-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

OraVet Dental Hygiene Chews For Small Dogs  

With OraVet Dental Hygiene Chews, you can help your dog keep its teeth cleaner, fight bad breath, reduce calculus and plaque, and other dental issues.

No products found.

It features delmopinol that creates a barrier for protection from harmful bacteria that can cause bad breath.

The chews allow the chewing action of your pet to dislodge and loosen plaque to break it away from the teeth.

You can provide your dog with one tasty and dissolvable chew every day for fresher breath and cleaner teeth. OraVet dental chews are ideal for dogs six months of age or older. 

No products found.

Purina DentaLife Adult Large Breed Dental Dog Chew Treats  

The Purina DentaLife Adult Large dog treats have an 18-count pouch. It features a porous texture and eight distinct ridges to clean even the hard-to-reach teeth down on your gum-line.

Purina DentaLife Dental Dog Chew

The product is also scientifically proven to have about 57% average reduction of tartar build-up, which promotes fresher breath.

The dental dog chew treats don’t have artificial colors or flavors. It also has innovative designs that have a porous, chewy texture. 

Purina DentaLife ActivFresh Chicken Flavor Large Breed Adult Dog Dental Chews - 7 Count (Pack of 5)
  • Dental chews for large dogs scientifically tested to attack bad breath at the source with a proprietary active ingredient...
  • One of these dog chews a day supports good oral health and a healthy oral microbiome
  • DentaLife for dogs chicken flavor dog chews designed for Large size (40+ lbs.) adult dogs with a unique design that gives...

Last update on 2024-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Blue Buffalo Dental Bones Natural Adult Dental Chew Dog Treats

The Blue Buffalo dental chew dog treats are beneficial to clean your pet’s teeth, keep their gums and teeth healthy, and freshens their breath.

Blue Buffalo Dental Bones Natural Adult Dental Chew

These dental chews are easy to digest with a nice flavor that any dog will love.

The Blue Buffalo dental treats are made with wholesome ingredients and don’t contain artificial colors and preservatives. It has minerals and comes in large sizes. These dental treats don’t have wheat, corn, and soy. 

Sale
Blue Buffalo Dental Bones Large Natural Dental Chew Dog Treats Bag Jumbo Pack
  • DENTAL CHEW DOG TREATS: BLUE Dental Bones are the dental dog treats that help clean teeth, freshen breath and maintain...
  • WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: These dog treats don’t contain any chicken (or poultry) by-product meals and are free from corn,...
  • LARGE SIZE: Feed these dental bone dog treats once a day to dogs who are 50 lbs. and above

Last update on 2024-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Virbac CET Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews  

If you want the best dental sticks for dogs, the Virbac CET Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews is the best choice.

Virbac CET Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews

It comes with a Dual Enzyme System exclusive to the manufacturer and abrasive texture to reduce tartar and plaque with your pet’s chewing action. Veterinarians highly recommend it.

The dental treats are poultry flavored, offering a taste that dogs love. They are made with selected beef hide. The package contains about 30 chews in each bag.

Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews, Medium Dog, 30 Count
  • DAILY DENTAL CARE: Features an exclusive Dual Enzyme System and abrasive texture to help reduce plaque and tartar through...
  • HIGHLY PALATABLE: The chews are poultry-flavored providing a taste dogs love, Made using select beef hide.Calorie...
  • VET RECOMMENDED: The C. E. T. product line is the dental brand by Veterinary professionals

Last update on 2024-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

C.E.T. VeggieDent Chews, Regular, 30 Chews

C.E.T. VeggieDent Chews are among the best dog dental chews you can purchase for your pet.

C.E.T. VeggieDent Chews

It works with the chewing action of your pet to decrease tartar and plaque and freshens breath. It has a unique and easy to hold Z shape.

You can provide your pet at least one chew per day to reduce tartar. It can help to maintain your dog’s oral health.  

C.E.T. VeggieDent Chews, Regular, 30 Chews
  • Manufacturer changed packaging. Packaging may vary.
  • Works with dog’s chewing action to freshen breath, reduce plaque, and decrease tartar
  • Unique, easy-to-hold Z shape

Last update on 2024-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

There we go, so that is the list of the best dog dental chews in the market. You can pick the best one for your pet. Now that you discovered the best dental chews, let us decide how to buy the best dental chews for your dog. 

Types Of Dental Chews

Several dog dental treats and diets claim to reduce bad breath, plaque, and tartar. Some have been tested by the VOHC seal of approval and are available in stores, while veterinarians only provide others.

  • Rawhide chews. These are made using the hides of horses or cows and have been proven to reduce plaque and tartar. They are available in different forms and sizes.
  • Dental diets. Some dog food formulas have ingredients that help reduce dental problems. They perform this task in several ways. The first way is to use a special coating that prevents bacteria growth. The other is to make them into large kibble to resist crumbling.
  • Chewy toys. Some chewy toys are incorporated with bacteria-killing substances to protect the dog’s teeth. Chewy toys also help to ease anxiety in dogs.

Buying Guide For The Best Dental Chews For Dogs 

Keep in mind that not all dental dog chews are the same, so you need to consider the best ones that suit your pet’s needs. These are the things you need to consider when buying dental chews for your dogs. 

Ingredients  

Some dog chews contain unnecessary additives. With that, you can pick dog dental chews that are made from quality ingredients. You can choose those that don’t contain artificial colors and preservatives. 

Dental Health Benefits  

Before you buy, it is essential to consider the dental health benefits of dental chews for dogs. You can pick treats that have a seal from VOHC or Veterinary Oral Health Council.

brown and white colored dog biting on a treat

Make sure that it can help to reduce tartar and plaque and promotes fresher breath for your dog. 

Size  

Always choose the right size that suits the needs of your dog. With the right size dental chews, you can avoid problems like obstruction of the dog’s esophagus, throat, intestines, or stomach.  

VOHC Seal  

Although it is not absolutely required, it can be a good idea to look for VOHC or Veterinary Oral Health Council seal. With this, you can ensure that you’re providing your pet with quality and safe chews to help their dental health.  

Reliable Brand  

It is also essential to buy dental chews from a reliable brand. So, you have the assurance that you can only get quality and safe dog dental chews for your pet.  

Affordability  

You can also consider the affordability of the product. Luckily, there are more affordable dental chews for dogs that come with excellent quality. You can purchase from reliable stores or online stores in the market to support your dog’s oral health.  

Versatility 

It is also an advantage to check the versatility of the dental chews. Make sure it can be a good option for both small and big dogs. 

Take Caution With Dental Chews

Avoid hard dental chews because they can cause damage to teeth. Like humans, dog’s teeth can break when they chew extra hard substances.

Additionally, be careful with compressed chews. Some dogs may be too aggressive with the chewers, leading to swallowing, which can cause choking.

These products may also cause stomach irritation because of their chemical composition. If your dog swallows a dental chew, contact your vet immediately.

Be Responsible For Your Dog’s Dental Health  

Like humans, your dog also needs good overall health to enjoy a healthier and happy lifestyle. Keep in mind that your pet’s oral health is essential for your dog’s general health.

Dogs can develop periodontal disease. If your dog doesn’t have a proper oral regimen, this disease may be created and gets worse over time.  

In addition, bacteria build-up in your dog’s mouth can harden the teeth, which may also lead to dental disease. It can also cause bad breath to your pet. Usually, bad breath can be caused by gingivitis that can result in periodontal disease.  

Take note that better oral health for your dog can be achieved through regular brushing, a healthy diet, and the best dog dental chews.

You can choose from the dental chews we mentioned earlier in this article. They are made from quality ingredients that can suit the needs of your pet.  

With the best dog dental treats, you can keep your dog’s teeth in their top shape and condition. These dental chews can help to reduce the tartar and plaque while allowing your pet with their urge to chew. Meanwhile, you also need to prioritize the safety of your pet.

You can get dental chews that are highly advisable by professional veterinarians. It is also essential to provide your pet with regular dental cleanings.  

Possible Signs Of Dental Disease Among Dogs  

It is necessary to know the possible signs of dental disease in dogs. Early detection can help for early treatment, which can prevent periodontal disease from getting worse.

Remember that dental disease will not just affect the mouth of your pet. It can also affect your pet’s heart, liver, and kidneys.  

The following are some signs that your pet may have dental disease. 

Inflamed Gums  

If you observe that your pet has red, bleeding, or inflamed gums, there is a possibility that your pet has gingivitis. Gingivitis can be developed if there’s a bacteria buildup under the gum line.

If left untreated, this can result to bone degeneration, tooth loss, and other problems. 

Bad Breath 

Bad breath among dogs can be a sign that there are bacteria from decaying food that can lead to infection or gingivitis. An acrid, sour smell can indicate that your pet needs to be examined for potential dental disease.

Swollen Jaw  

If there’s an infection around the tooth’s roots, it can form an abscess that can also make your dog’s jaw swollen. You may see a lump on the upper jaw near the eye or the lower jaw close to the neck.

dog biting a chew bone

If the abscess becomes big to burst, you can observe drainage on the fur of your dog. 

Tartar And Plaque 

Like humans, dogs can also experience plaque buildup from food particles that may stick to their teeth. If the plaque and tartar remain untreated, it can result in gingivitis, teeth loss, and other oral problems. 

Trouble In Chewing 

Do you observe that your dog has difficulty chewing? Well, it can be caused by a dental problem. Infection on gums and teeth can be painful for your dog as they chew food. In addition, loose teeth can make your pet stop using teeth in breaking up food. 

Sneezing And Nasal Discharge 

There are some instances that dental problems can make your dog experience sneezing and nasal discharge. Dental issues like abscesses and infected gums can cause infection in your dog’s sinus cavities, making them suffer from sneezing and runny nose. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Common Is An Oral Disease Among Dogs?

The dental issue is among the most common medical conditions among dogs. It is estimated that about 80% of dogs above the age of three come with active dental disease. If you want to prevent your dogs from suffering from dental problems, make sure to bring them to the veterinarian for a dental checkup.  

Are Dental Problems Among Dogs The Same As Humans?

You may not be aware of it, but dogs can also develop the same dental diseases as humans. Meanwhile, the most common in humans are tooth cavities or decay.

On the other hand, the most common dental issue for dogs is periodontal disease and fractured teeth. Tooth decay is rare and only represents less than 10% among dogs.  

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Since periodontal disease is the most common dental disease in dogs, you should be familiar with it. It is an infection and related inflammation of the dog’s periodontium (tissues surrounding the tooth).  

The periodontium comes with four tissues, including cementum, gingiva, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone. Periodontal disease can start with gingivitis. If left untreated, the infection may spread on the tooth socket, which can destroy the bone. The tooth can lose and can fall out over time.

How Do You Prevent Tartar And Plaque In Dogs?

Plaque and tartar can cause bacteria buildup on the teeth of your dog, which can also lead to a dental problem. Brushing your pet’s teeth daily with a toothpaste that’s been specially formulated for dogs can help prevent this.

Even more important, you can reduce plaque and tartar through the best vet-recommended dog dental chews. It allows your pet to chew while breaking down the tartar on their teeth. You can also use water additives to prevent tartar and plaque.  

What Are The Causes Of Fractured Teeth Among Dogs?

Fractured teeth are also a common dental disease in dogs. It can happen if your dog chews hard objects such as bones, ice cubes, antlers, hard nylon chews, pig and horse hooves, and more. 

Fractured teeth in dogs can be treated through the extraction of teeth or root canal therapy.

Ask Advice From Your Veterinarian For The Dental Health Of Your Pet  

If you’re not sure how to take care of your dog’s dental health, you can seek the advice of your professional veterinarian. They can provide you the best advice to take care of your pet’s dental health.

Your pet deserves to enjoy a healthy life. Having a dental issue can be a hindrance for them to enjoy their day. So, as much as possible, bring your pet to the vet to maintain his or her dental health.  

Don’t let your dog suffer from dental issues. Make sure to give them an effective dental regime against tartar, plaque, and other infections. 

Conclusion 

Dental chews for dogs can help keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy. We understand there are many dental treats for dogs in the market, making it challenging for you to choose the right ones for your dog’s needs.

If you have high standards for your dog’s dental chews needs, you can choose from the top products we mentioned above including OraVet Dental Hygiene Chews for Small Dogs, Purina DentaLife Adult Large Breed Dental Dog Chew Treats, and Blue Buffalo Dental Bones Natural Adult Dental Chew Dog Treats.

Photo of author

Lovelia Horn

I’m a certified crazy dog mom, a physical therapist (for hoomans), writer, animal rescuer, and foster home provider. Together with my hubby Ryan, I’ve fostered and helped look for forever homes for over a hundred shelter dogs in the Southern Illinois area. I mostly work with Puppy Rescue 911, Inc., a certified animal rescue organization based out of Chester, IL (home of Popeye!)

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