To help keep your pup’s chompers healthy, we put six dental chews for dogs to the test.
Here’s something to chew on: The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) (Trusted Source) estimates that most dogs will develop periodontal disease by the age of 3. Unhealthy teeth are a problem in and of themselves — in addition to being linked to issues like heart disease. Dental chews, when combined with toothbrushing, can help maintain your dog’s canines and lessen their risk of developing dental problems down the line.
To help keep your pup’s teeth healthy, we searched the market for the best dental chews out there. We looked at factors like the safety of the ingredients, the hardness of the chew, and whether or not the product was approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). After carefully reviewing and testing our top choices, here’s what we found.
Why you should trust our reviews | How we picked | At first glance | How we tested these products | A popular product we don’t recommend | What else should pet parents consider? | Frequently asked questions
Extremely hard treats didn’t make the cut because they can damage dogs’ teeth and cause digestion issues. To determine which dental chews were safe, we conducted a “dent” test. If we pressed our fingers into the treat and found that it had a little bit of give, then it was good to go. Our vet and product reviewer Sara then ranked the treats that passed this initial test according to our criteria.
Sometimes once we review a product in-person, we decide we don’t want to recommend it to pet parents. One popular product didn’t make our list, and we think it’s important for pet parents to know why.
Here’s a closer look at how the products stack up against each other.
*price at the time of our review
We worked with our product expert and veterinarian to determine the most important criteria when choosing a dental chew for your pup. After hours of research, we decided on the following:
The following popular product can be found all over the internet and has been recommended by others out there. However, after reviewing, we decided not to include it on our list. Here’s why.
ProDen PlaqueOff Natural Dental Bone Dog Treats. After testing this product, our reviewer felt that her dogs enjoyed the taste of this dental chew a little too much. In fact, they ate it so quickly she felt it didn’t provide much time for direct contact with their teeth, which is a critical part of the cleaning process. If a pup can eat a dental chew in 30 seconds or less, it probably isn’t going to help with plaque and tartar.
Dog dental chews are treats that have teeth-cleaning powers. They also give dogs an outlet to satisfy their craving for a good chew. Since dogs explore the world through their mouths, gnawing on dental chews provides mental stimulation and alleviates boredom.
Dog dental chews come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They typically feature different ridges and dips to provide texture, which helps clean dogs’ teeth while allowing them to better grip the bone.
In general, dental chews last longer than bones. Dog treats can typically be eaten in just a bite while dental chews should last a few hours, depending on the strength and tenacity of the chewer. Since they take so long to chew, they make for fresher breath and can help remove plaque from your pup’s teeth.
Some dental chews are made from cornstarch or other materials that can be easily digested. Many dental chews are flavored with meat or poultry meal. You can also find dental chews that are made from plants, which might be best for pups with any sort of food allergies.
In addition to using dental chews, you’ll also need to brush your dog’s teeth regularly. A yearly professional cleaning is typically recommended, though this guidance varies by breed. You should also regularly take your pup in for periodontal examinations.
Just like humans, dogs can suffer from bad breath and periodontal disease. Dental treats can help clean your pup’s teeth and prevent some of these canine crises. But dogs that are overweight or have certain medical conditions such as kidney troubles shouldn’t eat anything outside of the kibble recommended by their veterinarian. Unfortunately, this includes treats and dental chews.
Dental chews shouldn’t replace toothbrushing, but they are a great addition to your regular oral health routine. Your dog will enjoy gnawing on a tasty treat so much that they won’t notice they’re actually working to clean their teeth.
Just like humans, dogs can experience dental problems, like bad breath, plaque and tartar buildup, gingivitis, gum disease, and more.
As mentioned earlier, dental problems also pose a threat to your dog’s overall health. Oral bacteria can enter your dog’s bloodstream and can potentially affect their heart, liver, and kidneys.
Taking care of your dog’s teeth is preventative. Good dental hygiene means delaying or preventing tooth pulling, tooth pain, and costly veterinary bills. Regular veterinary teeth cleanings are also preventative, as veterinarians will remove the tartar that causes bone loss and loose teeth.
Brushing a dog’s teeth every day is the best way to prevent tartar buildup, which is why veterinarians recommend that dog owners brush their dog’s teeth daily with a great dog-friendly toothpaste. However, most dog owners don’t do so. One study by the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry showed that only 2% of dog owners brush their canine companion’s teeth daily.
It’s easy to understand why: There’s only so much time in a day, and even when owners remember, it can be difficult to wrangle an uncooperative dog. That’s why supplementing your dog’s oral hygiene routine with dental chews is a great way to take care of your dog’s dental health.
In addition, you can also supplement with wipes, sprays, and dental water additives.
With so many options on the market, it can be hard to find the perfect dental chew. The best way to check for quality is to look for the Veterinary Oral Hygiene Council (VOHC) seal of approval. VOHC recognizes products that meet rigorous safety standards for both dogs and cats.
According to betterpet vet Dr. Erica Irish, most dental chews approved by VOHC are effective at removing plaque and foodstuffs before they harden into tartar.
Additional factors like breed, age, and size can also make one dental chew better for your pup than another. In addition, you may need to take the calorie count of treats and chews into consideration, especially if you have an overweight pup.
When in doubt, you can always ask your veterinarian for their advice and recommendations.
Always supervise your dog when they consume any type of dental chew. And make sure your dog thoroughly chews any treat you give them. You can also break chews into smaller pieces or hold the treat in your hand while your dog gnaws on the other end.
In addition, you should always select the correct chew for your pup based on their size. And be sure to read the package for any additional instructions.
Just like any other pet treat, dental chews can contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs. While no dog chew is 100% safe, some are definitely safer than others. Below are a few of the potential risks to watch out for:
If you notice any of the following signs, it’s time to take your dog’s dental chew away and call your local vet:
The best types of chews are soft enough to dent yet hard enough to last for a long round of heavy chewing.
Factors like your dog’s age, weight, and health conditions will affect how often they can use dental chews, so we recommend asking your vet for their advice.
Look for chews that are approved by the VOHC, which indicates the chew has been clinically tested. Also make sure the chew isn’t hard enough to harm your dog’s teeth or contains any worrisome ingredients.
Though they aren’t a substitute for toothbrushing and professional teeth cleans, dental chews are a simple way to keep your dog’s mouth in tip-top shape. Plus, your dog will enjoy being encouraged to chew — something they naturally love to do!
See if the chew passes the “dent” test. If you can press your finger into the treat and it leaves a little dent, then the chew is safe for your pup. This is important because you’ll want to avoid chews that are hard enough to choke on or could cause a GI obstruction.
