The 5 Best Dog Dental Treats
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Nothing is better than coming home to a wet nose and a few slobbery kisses after a long day at work. When your dog hops up to greet you, tail wagging, you kneel down to give him a hug.
And you’re hit by a wave of dog breath.
It’s nearly impossible to have fresh breath all the time, but dogs are notorious for being a little extra stinky. Proper oral hygiene is the key to keeping your dog’s mouth healthy and his breath fresh, but a daily dental treat can help.
The best dental treats for dogs are made from high-quality ingredients, low in calories, and approved by veterinarians. We’ve taken the time to sort through the options on the market to bring you our top picks for the best dog dental treats.
Compare Best Dog Dental Treats
|
Type
Dental stick |
Type
Dental stick |
Type
Dental stick |
Type
Dental stick |
Type
Dental stick |
|
Flavor
Potato |
Flavor
Corn |
Flavor
Chicken |
Flavor
Poultry |
Flavor
Chicken |
|
VOHC Seal
Yes |
VOHC Seal
Yes |
VOHC Seal
Yes |
VOHC Seal
Yes |
VOHC Seal
Yes |
|
Top 3 Ingredients
Potato starch, glycerin, powdered cellulose |
Top 3 Ingredients
Corn starch, glycerin, soy protein isolate |
Top 3 Ingredients
Rice, powdered cellulose, chicken by-product meal |
Top 3 Ingredients
Wheat flour, wheat gluten, gelatin |
Top 3 Ingredients
Rice, glycerin, wheat flour |
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Dental health is an essential component of overall health. If you care about your teeth, you brush your teeth twice a day and have a good habit of flossing regularly. Doesn’t your dog deserve the same?
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a progressive oral condition caused by bacteria in the mouth that causes damage to the gums, bone, teeth, and supporting structures. According to some studies, as many as 90% of all dogs display some form of periodontal disease by the age of two years.
The signs of dental disease vary greatly, but may include the following:
- Bad breath
- Loose or broken teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Abnormal chewing habits
- Excessive drooling
- Pain in or around the mouth
- Reduced appetite
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Swelling in the mouth or gums
Plaque is a sticky film that forms on the teeth made up of bacteria. It’s generally soft and easy to remove but it hardens over time into tartar, a much more stubborn substance.
In the first stage of periodontal disease, your dog may develop gingivitis or inflammation of the gums. This stage progresses to a loss of the tooth’s attachment to supporting structures of less than 25%. Symptoms may include red or puffy gums, bleeding gums, bad breath, and receded gums.
By the third stage of periodontal disease, between 25 and 50% of the tooth’s support is lost. Most dogs display moderate gum recession and loose teeth. Teeth may need to be extracted at this point and extraction is even more likely in stage 4.
Periodontal disease is generally reversible in the first stage. Damage incurred during later stages may not be reversible, but proper treatment can help prevent progression. Daily brushing and regular oral exams and professional cleanings are the best way to prevent dental problems from progressing.
Do Dental Treats Really Work?
Dental treats for dogs are not designed to be an alternative to daily dental care. They can remove plaque from the surface of the teeth and may help reduce tarter buildup and freshen breath. As is true for any pet product, however, the results depend on the ingredients and their quality.
According to Gary Richter, DVM, the founder of Ultimate Pet Nutrition, dog dental products “work by scraping the teeth as the dog chews on them.”
The key to achieving dental benefits, however, is making sure your dog chews on the product for at least five minutes. A dental treat won’t do your dog any good if he swallows it immediately.
What To Look For In Dog Dental Chews
Treats are tasty little tidbits your pet can snack on between meals, but that doesn’t mean they can’t also support his overall health and wellness. Dog treats made from high-quality ingredients boost your dog’s nutrition and can provide additional benefits – like dental health benefits.
The best dog dental products are evaluated and approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).
This is an organization that evaluates the efficacy of dental sticks and other products in reducing plaque and tartar. The product must reduce plaque and tartar by at least 10% in order to receive a VOHC seal of approval. In products that utilize chemical anti-plaque agents, plaque reduction must be at least 20%.
In addition to VOHC approval, look for a treat that will complement your dog’s diet with wholesome ingredients but doesn’t contain too many calories.
The size of the treat should be appropriate for your dog as well. Look for a treat that is larger than your dog’s mouth to prevent choking hazards and to make sure your dog chews the treat long enough to obtain its dental benefits.
NOTE: Bully sticks and rawhide are not recommended as dental sticks for dogs. Rawhide can break into chunks and the materials is not easily digested. Bully sticks are generally more digestible, but the material can be contaminated with bacteria, and they contain a surprising number of calories.
Now that you have a better understanding of when your dog might benefit from dental treats and how to choose them, let’s get into our top picks.
Our Top Picks For The Best Dental Treats For Dogs
All of the following are top-rated products that have earned a reputation for safety and effectiveness.
Whimzees Natural Dog Dental Treats
Product Info
- Type: Dental stick
- Flavor: Potato
- VOHC Seal: Yes
- Top 3 Ingredients: Potato starch, glycerin, powdered cellulose
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Ridges and grooves help scrape your dog’s teeth
- Pawfect Paw Pad make the treat easy to hold while chewing
- Completely free from gluten, grains, and artificial additives
- May be too hard for some dogs
- Fairly pricey
These dental treats offer a limited list of ingredients in a formula free from gluten, grains, GMOs and artificial additives. Plus, they’re a long-lasting alternative to traditional X-shaped dental chews.
Whimzees are approved by the VOHC to remove plaque and tartar. While some dogs find the bones a little bit too hard, the variety of shapes and sizes seems to appeal to dogs of all breeds and ages. Just be mindful of the carbohydrate content when adding these treat to your dog’s diet.
Virbac C.E.T. VeggieDent Tartar Control Chews
Product Info
- Type: Dental stick
- Flavor: Corn
- VOHC Seal: Yes
- Top 3 Ingredients: Corn starch, glycerin, soy protein isolate
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Approved by the VOHC for plaque and tartar removal
- Texture and unique Z-shape promotes chewing
- Available in four sizes for different dog breeds
- Contain no animal-based ingredients
- Fairly pricey
These chews come in a plant-based formula with a relatively short list of ingredients. They also contain prebiotics to support a healthy microbiome for optimal digestion.
Virbac C.E.T. VeggieDent dental treats are gluten-free and do not contain artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. They do contain several plant ingredients, however – including corn – but are made in the USA.
Milk-Bone Original Brushing Chews Daily Dental Dog Treats
Product Info
- Type: Dental stick
- Flavor: Chicken
- VOHC Seal: Yes
- Top 3 Ingredients: Rice, powdered cellulose, chicken by-product meal
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Affordably priced and available in several sizes
- Nubs and ridges help scrape the teeth clean like toothbrush bristles
- Supplemented with essential vitamins and minerals
- Made with some artificial color
- Contains dairy and vaguely named animal digest
These dental treats are made with a patented design featuring nubs and ridges designed to act like the bristles on a toothbrush. They scrape and clean your dog’s teeth as he chews while the twist design of the chew makes sure the treat reaches even the back teeth and all the way down to the gumline.
Milk-Bone Brushing Chews are fortified with essential nutrients including calcium for strong bones and plenty of fiber to support regular digestion. These treats do contain dairy and artificial color but they’re higher in animal protein than other products on this list and very affordable.
Greenies Teenie Dental Dog Treats
Product Info
- Type: Dental stick
- Flavor: Poultry
- VOHC Seal: Yes
- Top 3 Ingredients: Wheat flour, wheat gluten, gelatin
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Chewy texture cleans teeth and promotes gum health
- Designed to bend, not break, for a deeper clean
- Available in a wide variety of different sizes
- Contains wheat ingredients
- May not be tough enough for heavy chewers
Greenies are easily one of the most popular dental treats on the market, and for good reason.
They’re approved by the VOHC and are designed to deliver a deeper clean than traditional dental treats. They feature a brush-like shape to encourage chewing and they bend instead of breaking, helping reach under your dog’s gumline to scrape away plaque and tartar.
These dental treats are made with natural ingredients in a highly digestible formula supplemented with essential nutrients. They do contain wheat ingredients but are free from artificial color, flavor, and preservatives.
DentaLife Daily Oral Care Dental Dog Treats
Product Info
- Type: Dental stick
- Flavor: Chicken
- VOHC Seal: Yes
- Top 3 Ingredients: Rice, glycerin, wheat flour
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Scientifically proven to reduce tartar by 57%
- Ridged design and porous texture cleans under gumline
- Available in several sizes and quantities
- Contains wheat ingredients
- Made with artificial preservatives
Purina DentaLife dental sticks come in a large size for big dogs, made with a ridged design and porous texture to clean even the hard-to-reach places under your dog’s gumline. They’re scientifically proven to reduce tartar buildup by 57% and approved by the VOHC.
The primary downside of these dental chews is that they contain wheat ingredients and BHA, an artificial preservative. They are, however, free from artificial colors and flavors and contain more animal protein than other options.
Other Dog Dental Treats to Try
There is an abundance of dental treats and chews on the market for dogs, so it’s impossible to include everything we’d like to. If none of the treats on the list above seem like the perfect fit, one of the options below might be worth considering:
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Wild Bones Grain-Free Dental Chews
Product Info
- Chewy Conscious: BPA-Free
- Lifestage: Adult
- Breed Size: Medium Breeds
- Food Form: Treats
- Special Diet: High-Protein, Grain-Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Rawhide-Free
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
They are made from wholesome ingredients and free from soy, wheat, and artificial additives. The downside is these treats are fairly high in calories and they are not approved by the VOHC.
OraVet Hygiene Dental Chews
Product Info
- Weight: 1.325 pounds
- Features: Tartar Removal
- Lifestage: Adult
- Breed Size: Small Breeds
- Food Form: Treats
- Product Form: Chew
These chews are available in several different sizes but only recommended for dogs 6 months and older. They are approved by the VOHC for tartar removal.
Dr. Tim’s CLENZ-A-DENT Dog Dental Chews
Product Info
- Weight: 11.36 ounces
- Features: Breath Freshening, Plaque Removal
- Lifestage: Adult
- Breed Size: Medium Breeds
- Food Form: Sticks
- Product Form: N/A
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Final Thoughts
Dental treats should not be a replacement for daily oral care. Dental disease is incredibly common in pets, and it can have significant negative effects on your dog’s health. But it is very easy to prevent.
It may sound strange to brush your dog’s teeth, but it’s the best way to remove plaque and tartar. That being said, an oral exam should be part of your dog’s annual checkup to keep an eye on his dental health. Plaque and tartar below the gumline are difficult to remove and puts your dog at risk for periodontal disease and related complications like kidney, liver, and heart problems.
Keeping your dog’s teeth clean keeps them healthy and it also helps prevent problems like bad breath. If you’re looking for a simple way to freshen your dog’s breath and complement a strong habit of oral hygiene, the dental treats on this list can help.
