What are the safest dental chews for dogs
The best dental chews for dogs in 2023, according to vets
What are dog dental chews?
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 pups 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, youll also need to brush your dogs 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.
Does your pet need dental chews?
Just like humans, dogs can suffer from bad breath and periodontal disease. Dental treats can help clean your pups teeth and prevent some of these canine crises. But dogs that are overweight or have certain medical conditions such as kidney troubles shouldnt eat anything outside of the kibble recommended by their veterinarian. Unfortunately, this includes treats and dental chews.
Benefits of dental chews for dogs
Dental chews shouldnt 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 wont notice theyre actually working to clean their teeth.
Best Dog Dental Chews
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What are the Best Dental Chews for Dogs on the Market?
On this page, were gathering the best dental chews for dogs you can buy.
Well add a new selection each month, so dont worry if the chews you use arent here or if you dont like the look of any weve listed (although theyre all excellent).
We cant analyze dog dental chews in the same way we analyze dog food so weve tried to keep the chews as healthy and natural as possible avoiding nasty artificial additives and preservatives while making sure theyre still effective in keeping your dogs teeth clean.
Are Dental Chews Good For My Dog?
Dental chews are formulated for their dental health function, so they are not designed as a substitute to dog food, and should be eaten in moderation. Some dental chews claim to have added health benefits such as promoting skin health or aiding digestion, but generally, they contain a high calorie content and are not nutritionally balanced. Over-consumption of any chew or treat, can lead to obesity and other health complications.As with dog treats, dental chews can contain controversial ingredients, which is why we have put together a list of safer recommendations. Some of these may contain ingredients which we usually highlight as being controversial, but these provide the important dental health function needed for a dental chew such as plaque removal.
Do Dog Dental Chews Work?
Our founder, Dr. Mike Sagman, was a dentist and he knew the importance of doggy dental care. Dogs want to be able to chew bones, destroy fluffy rabbit toys and wow people with their adorable smiles and they need a healthy set of gnashers to do this.
Its vital you clean your dogs teeth or get them cleaned professionally because poor dental hygiene can lead to a host of health problems, not to mention the infamous dog breath.
Dog dental chews help to scrape away plaque and tartar. They cant replace teeth cleaning but dental chews are an excellent day-to-day addition to your dogs dental care routine.
(By the way, dry dog food does not clean your dogs teeth thats a myth.)
Here are our choices for the Best Dental Chews for Dogs. We hope they put a smile on your and your dogs face.
Please note:Some of our recommendations may contain ingredients which we usually highlight as being controversial, but these provide the important dental health function needed for a dental chew.With a double-brush design and infused coconut and botanical oils, your pooch will have clean teeth and fresh breath just in time for the holidays.
Even the most stubborn of dogs will love cleaning their teeth with tasty Brushers. The unique design helps to reduce plaque and the natural recipe is free from artificial colors or preservatives.
PetLab Co. has crafted these dental chews with added prebiotics to support overall gum health, oral hygiene, and digestion. All while cleaning your dogs teeth and preventing tartar build-up.
PetLab Co. - Prebiotic dental sticks
A dental chew thats made with anxious pooches in mind. Not only will these chews clean your dogs teeth, they also contain natural, calming ingredients such as hemp and chamomile.
PetHonesty - Hemp calming fresh sticks
Jinx has developed a premium, all-natural dental treat which boasts real chicken as the main ingredient. The deep grooves are also tough on plaque and help to freshen up bad breath.
Multi-textured dental treats which claim to give 360-degree brushing action. They're highly digestible, easy for your dog to hold and chew, plus they have a delicious filet mignon flavor.
Natural Nutrident - Easy hold trios
Vegan chickpea and mint dental sticks made in the USA with natural, regionally sourced ingredients. The recipe includes parsley, mint, and apple pomace powder to freshen breath, coconut glycerin to promote skin and coat health, plus a unique shape to remove tartar.
Dog Treat Naturals - Dental sticks
These dental chews are designed to be tough on plaque and the ideal size for medium to large dogs. They're made with real chicken for a tasty flavor, plus mint, parsley, and alfalfa to reduce doggy breath.
Loving Pets - Tooth sticks
The unique chewy texture of these dental treats will make them irresistible to your dog, with peppermint flavor bursts that also freshen breath. The recipe contains cranberries for their superfood qualities and no artificial preservatives or colors.
Ark Naturals - Breath bursts
The smart choice for your dog's dental health a unique and flexible shape to help remove stubborn tartar combined with breath-freshening peppermint. The ingredients are completely natural, with no artificial colors or flavors, and contain probiotics to support healthy digestion.
Whole Hearted - Smart smiles
An all-natural dental chew to keep even the biggest of pups occupied. The recipe includes yak's milk for its protein content and amino acids, and cow's milk for its healthy fatty acids.
Native Pet - X-Large yak chews
Whimzees halloween-edition dental chews have natural ingredients and a unique shape to fight tartar build-up. They're vegetarian, gluten-free, and highly digestible.
Whimzees by Wellness - Dental treats
These dental chews are made with ground oyster shells to help remove plaque, sweet potato for beta-carotene, and pumpkin spice for flavor. The limited ingredients are all-natural and contain no artificial nasties.
Crumps' Naturals - Plaque busters
Exactly what they say on the packet natural dental treats. These treats contain yolk antibodies to support your dog's immune system, collagen, and Vitamin C.
Natural Farm - Natural dental treats
Bacon-flavored dental chews which contain coconut oil for its anti-bacterial properties and ground oyster shells to remove plaque. The all-natural ingredients also contain sweet potato for added Vitamin A to support a healthy coat and immune system.
Caledon Farms - Plaque busters
Real chicken is the first ingredient in this dental jerky which is high in protein and formulated to support dental health. Parsley, spearmint oil, and dried seaweed meal also helps to freshen breath.
Each packet contains 18 frenchie-shaped, natural dog treats. The recipe contains oats which provide fiber and antioxidants, cranberries to reduce plaque, rice flour for protein, and coconut oil to reduce odor.
Natural Dog Company
Dental Treats
Dental Doubles have double the benefits fighting bacteria and reducing plaque. Their unique ingredient Rojelexin originates from Honey Bee Roayl Jell and breaks down bacteria to fight tartar.
Jinx have developed a premium, all-natural dental treat which boasts real chicken as the main ingredient. The deep grooves are also designed to be tough on plaque. Recommended for large breeds.
Dental health biscuits are oven baked and formulated to promote oral health. The recipe contains hexametaphosphate to fight plaque plus eucalyptus, spearmint leaves, and parsley to reduce unpleasant doggy breath.
Vetdiet
Dental Health Biscuits
These innovative dental chews can be used with Starmark Everlasting Treat toys or given as a treat separately. Designed to be long lasting and tough on plaque, they have a tasty chicken flavor and are wheat-free.
Starmark
Everlasting Treats
Bring out your dogs wild side with these holistic chews which are easily digestible. Theyre made with natural ingredients and free of grain, gluten, corn or soy.
Twistix dental treats have a unique vanilla and mint flavor and help to freshen breath with ingredients like peppermint, parsley, and alfalfa. Their texture helps to clean teeth while satisfying your dogs urge to chew.
Twistix
Daily Dental Treats
Dental chews created by a well-known toothpaste brand which are shaped like gorillas. Strange, but functional. Theyre infused with baking soda to clean teeth and freshen breath, and they also have a delicious peanut butter and banana flavor.
Jinx dental treats are made with limited, natural ingredients and contain zero artificial preservatives or flavors. The deep grooves help to remove tartar and stubborn plaque while freshening breath.
Jinx
Dental Treats for Large dogs
The two natural ingredients, blueberries and grass-fed beef hide, in these dental treats are sourced and made in the US. The treats are easily digestible, high in protein and support gum health.
Exclusively Dog
Collagen + Superfood Chews With Benefits
Made with 100% baked fish skins and omega-3 fatty acids to boost coat, skin and joint health. These rough dental chews are great for removing tartar and are also hypoallergenic.
Fish4Dogs
Dental Sea Jerky Fish Knots
Who said dental chews had to taste like mint? These bacon flavored chews are 100% natural, highly digestible, and contain no lactose or corn. Theyre also easily digestible.
Himalayan Dog Chew
Happy Teeth with Bacon
This recipe contains sweet potato and ground oyster shells which are a good source of Vitamin A. The bacon-flavored treats also contain coconut oil which holds anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
Caledon Farms
Plaque Busters
The six-point shape of these dental treats will help to remove the most stubborn plaque while the minty flavor will freshen up Fidos breath. True Acre also uses natural and easy digestible ingredients.
True Acre Foods
All Natural Dental Treats
Whats not to love about these peanut butter and banana flavor chews? With a vegan, natural, gluten-free recipe which contains probiotics, theyre good for your pups dental health and the environment.
ProDen
Mini Dental Care Bones
These unique 4-in-1 chews have an abrasive exterior and innovative toothpaste center , which work together to combat plaque and bad breath. They can also be eaten up to twice a day.
Ark Naturals
Brushless Toothpaste Dental Chews
Keep your dogs smile in mint condition with a knobbly, cleaning texture and a recipe which helps to freshen breath. These treats are also free of gluten, wheat, soy, corn and artificial flavors.
VetIQ
Minties Dental Treats
Every dog loves a fire hydrant but these ones are easily digestible. Theyre also grain-free and are made from limited, all-natural ingredients. Plus the unique shape helps to remove stubborn plaque.
Redbarn Chew-A-Bulls
Hydrant
Who said churros have to be smothered in chocolate? Your dog will love these soft, cheesy churros which help to maintain dental health. Theyre also free of lactose, gluten, and grain.
Himalayan Pet Supply
Churro Dog Chews
Your pooch has Pawstruck gold with these chews which are chemical-free, gluten-free, and contain zero hormones, wheat or corn. The unique shape is designed to tackle stubborn plaque too.
Pawstruck
Natural Dental Chews
Brush away poor dental hygiene with limited ingredient, gluten-free Brushzees. Ideal for dogs who love to chew with sensitive stomachs, these treats will polish teeth and freshen breath.
Whimzees by Wellness
Brushzees Dental Treats
Release your hounds wild side with Blue Buffalo. The natural shape of these bones helps to maintain gum health while chewing and the ingredients contain no grain, wheat, corn or soy.
Blue Wilderness Trail Treats
Wild Bones Dental Chews
Wipe on, wipe off. The ridges of these delicious carrot treats will quickly get rid of dental plaque, while the salmon oil will promote healthy skin and fur. The recipe is also grain-free!
Shameless Pets
Carrate Chomp Dental Stick Dog Treats
The natural, grain-free ingredients and added vitamins in these bones make them a great choice for improving oral health. The shape and texture cleans teeth effectively while parsley neutralizes bad breath.
Blue Buffalo Dental Bones
Bocces Bakery make their grain-free brushy sticks in the USA with locally sourced, natural ingredients. The recipe includes coconut and mint to get rid of bad breath and a bristle shape for cleaner teeth.
Bocces Bakery Brushy Sticks
A V-good option for our vegan canine friends. The plant-based, natural recipe includes broccoli, chia seeds, and sweet potato plus cinnamon for freshening breath and parsley for improving dental health.
Formulated to support a healthy digestive system with added fibre, vitamins, prebiotics and probiotics. These dental sticks are also low-calorie, grain-free, and low in fat which makes them the perfect daily treat.
Even the most stubborn of dogs will love cleaning their teeth with tasty Brushers. The unique design helps to reduce plaque and the natural recipe is free from artificial colors or preservatives.
Available in four sizes and packing a minty fresh flavor, these treats will be a favorite with our doggy friends. Theyre also made with digestible ingredients and without any rawhide.
Chewsday
Daily Dental Dog Chews
Help your furry friend get their protein hit with these natural treats, containing beef, pea flour and farm-raised chicken. Their coat will also be helped by the coconut glycerin.
DogTreatNaturals
Dental Sticks
Never turn away another doggy smooch with these dental chews. The double-brush design cleans teeth, while the real pumpkin flavor improves bad breath.
Jinx have developed a premium, all-natural dental treat which boasts real chicken as the main ingredient. The deep grooves are also tough on plaque and help to freshen up bad breath.
Say see ya later alligator to bad doggy breath. These fun-shaped treats are designed to tackle hard-to-reach plaque and prevent tartar build-up. Theyre also gluten-free, vegetarian and made with natural ingredients.
Whimzees by Wellness
Alligator Dental Chews
This special formula will simultaneously freshen up your dogs breath and ease joint stiffness. Premium ingredients include Hemp Seed to support immune function, and eggshell membrane to promote hip and joint health.
ZestyPaws
Hemp Elements Mobility OraStix
PetLab Co. have crafted these dental chews with added prebiotics to support overall gum health, oral hygiene, and digestion. All while cleaning your dogs teeth and preventing tartar build-up. Clever, hey?
PetLab Co.
Prebiotic Dental Sticks
Fresh Sticks have a delicious peanut butter flavor and are formulated to support good dental health and doggy breath. Natural ingredients like quercetin, colostrum and omegas will also help when seasonal allergies come knocking.
PetHonesty
Allergy Support Fresh Sticks