Table of Contents
- Features of Dog Dental Chews to Consider
- What is Dog Dental Chews?
- Benefits of Dog Dental Chews
- How Often Should I Give My Dog Dental Chews?
- 5 Best Dental Chews for Dogs: Vet Recommended
- Are Greenies safe for dogs?
- Can dental chews replace brushing?
- Alternatives for Dog Toothbrushing
- Vet-Recommended Dog Dental Chews: Summary
Are you struggling to find the right dog dental chews for Fido? No need to worry! We've compiled a list of five of the best vet-recommended dog dental chews!
Dog dental chews are designed to be an attractive toy and an effective product for improving dental health.
They massage a dog's gums and scrape plaque from their teeth.
Other than brushing your dog's teeth, using dental treats is one of the best ways to improve a dog's oral health.
However, not all dental chews are created equal. Some of them are safer and more effective than others.
As a veterinarian, I've tried and analyzed several products, and below I'll walk you through some of my favorite vet-recommended best dental chews for dogs.
| 5 Best Dental Dog Chews | ||
|---|---|---|
  | Greenies Original Regular Natural Dental Dog Treats
| Check Price |
  | Oravet Dental Hygiene Chew
| Check Price |
  | Whimzees Alligator Dental Dog Treats
| Check Price |
  | Veggiedent Fr3sh Tartar Control Chews
| Check Price |
  | Pedigree Dentastix Dental Treats for Dogs
| Check Price |
Features of Dog Dental Chews to Consider
To be considered a premium product, a dog dental chew needs to fulfill a few desired features, which are the primary reasons for buying them.
Consider the below.
Cleaning power
Not all dental chews, including some recommended by the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council), are highly effective.
Therefore, it is crucial to ask your veterinarian and check reviews and previous experiences of dog owners about each brand.
Even though dental chews keep the dog's teeth clean, they may also reduce the deposits only to a certain extent.
Still, reducing tartar and plaque by 10% to 20% can't prevent periodontal disease in all animals, especially those predisposed to this dental condition.
Edibility
Depending on your pet's preferences, edible and non-edible dental chews for dogs are available on the market.
Edible chews are primarily used to clean a dog's teeth and are a delicious treat, while non-edible chews provide teeth cleaning when the dog gnaws on them.
Flavor
Luckily, most products offer a wide variety of flavors for dogs with different tastes and picky eaters.
Choosing a palatable dog dental chew will make the product more attractive to your pet.
The pleasant taste will encourage the animal to chew the treat more and clean the teeth simultaneously.
Durability
Longevity is a crucial feature of a non-edible dental chew.
It must be strong enough to entertain the dog for a long time so that its teeth get thoroughly cleaned instead of being swallowed or forgotten about after five seconds.
Size
Since most of the products are designed in several sizes, choosing an adequate one is not too complicated, depending on your dog's size and weight.
Too big dental chews are not convenient for chewing, and if the treats are too small, they may cause choking.
What to Look for in a Dog Dental Chews
As the dog owner, you will have to research the benefits or effects of different kinds of dog dental chews. There are still things to consider when choosing the right dental chew or dental treats for your dog.
Here are different factors that you should look for in a dental chew:
- Â Check the brand – Look for well-known brands with great reputations or positive reviews online.
- Â Quality over Quantity – We all want what's the best quality for our dogs. But if you're short in budget, plenty of quality low-priced dog chews are still out there.
- Â Versatility – Some dental products offer small and big dogs dental treats. So if you own multiple dogs, this is a great option for you.
- Health Benefits – Most importantly, look out for the health benefits of the products because that's why you're here in the first place.
What is Dog Dental Chews?
Dog Dental Chews are treated for brushing sessions for your pup.
These chews work by removing the bacteria and foods stuck on your dog's teeth.
Furthermore, the best dental chews for dogs reduce the amount of plaque in their mouth to help lessen new tartar buildup.
These chews are a great way to maintain oral health.
Moreover, dogs love to chew, so keeping them healthy is now easier.
Chewing for them is an instinct.
They chew when they're bored to have fun, and even to lessen stress or anxiety in certain situations.
Furthermore, dog dental chews are different from dental treats for dogs.
Dental chews last longer than dental treats.
Dog dental chews are made for rubbing the dog's teeth and gums to help reduce plaque and tartar.
Meanwhile, Dog dental treats it's designed to be eaten quickly.
Benefits of Dog Dental Chews
The purpose of dog dental chews is to provide oral benefits for your pet, but using them needs to come with precautions, primarily when used by puppies and senior dogs.
Some of the primary benefits of these vet-recommended dog dental chews are below.
Prevents dental disease
Unfortunately, over 80% of dogs over three years old suffer from active dental disease.
Some have an issue with periodontal disease graded on a scale from 1 to 4.
Graduation depends on the severity of the condition.
Giving your dog a dental chew daily will increase salivation, decreasing the number of bacteria in the dog's mouth.
That may prevent oral diseases and reduce problems with tartar and plaque forming.
Cleans teeth and gums
This type of product is primarily designed to help the dog keep teeth clean and gums healthy (on top of daily brushing).
The shape of some top-rated dental dog chews provides in-depth and detailed cleaning as your pet gnaws on them, which is why many veterinarians recommend them over regular treats.
Freshens breath
Quality dental hygiene will prevent bad breath in dogs.
If your dog chews a dental treat containing mint, spearmint, or parsley, it will get both tartar-free teeth and fresh breath.
Nutritional benefits
Some edible chews may contain nutritious and beneficial ingredients, improving the dog's digestive health and cleaning their teeth.
Moreover, some products include essential vitamins and nutrients that will enhance the animal's immune system.
Daily reward
Finally, edible dental chews for dogs are both useful products and delicious treats for the dog.
Besides cleaning teeth, they can be used as a reward during dog training, or anywhere else you normally use “regular” treats.
How Often Should I Give My Dog Dental Chews?
Dog dental chews should be taken 2-3 times a week but can also be done once a day. With this being said, monitoring your dog's dental health is the most important.
Moreover, researching Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) approved dog chews is a great tip for choosing the best dental chews.
If you're unconvinced, a call with your vet is still the best option. Always keep in mind that every dog is not the same. Some can be allergic to certain types of dog chews.
5 Best Dental Chews for Dogs: Vet Recommended
1 Greenies Dental Dog Chews and Treats
by Greenies
Thanks to their unique texture, these popular dog dental chews made with natural ingredients will clean your dog's teeth down to the gumline.
The vets recommend them since they clean tartar and plaque, provide fresh breath, and add vitamins and minerals to your dog's daily diet.
» PROS
- The VOHC approves the product
- It is available in four sizes and a few flavors for most dog breeds.
- These natural dental sticks are easy to digest, reduce gum disease, and improve the dog's health.
- Made in the USA
« CONS
- The product is not recommended for dogs under 5 pounds (2.3 kg)
- It is not gluten-free, which is crucial for dogs sensitive to this ingredient
- It is quite expensive
2Merial Oravet Dental Hygiene Chew For Dogs
by Oravet
Not only are the OraVet Dental Hygiene Chews vet-recommended, but they also have a taste your pup will love. This dental chew can be used daily and is designed to reduce plaque and tartar buildup to maintain your dog's mouth health.
When your dog's teeth sink into the chewy texture, the chew will do its work as it scrubs away plaque down to the gum line.
» PROS
- It has Delmonipol, which is a plaque-fighting compound that protects and prevents bacteria from latching to the teeth.
- Dental chews for dogs six months of age or older
- Help protect against harmful bacteria
« CONS
- Some owners have complained that the product negatively affected their dogs with a sensitive gastrointestinal system
3 Whimzees Dental Chews for Dogs
by Whimzees
Chewing these pleasantly-tasted dog dental chews helps prevent tartar and plaque build-up and bad breath in dogs.
The product, made of six ingredients, is an excellent option for dogs between 40 and 60 pounds (18 – 27 kg).
» PROS
- These vegetable-based dental chews are natural and healthy
- Sticks are entirely gluten-free and don't contain artificial flavors and colors
- It is a GMO-free product
« CONS
- They may cause gastric and digestion problems
- Seniors may have difficulties chewing these hard sticks
4Virbac CET Veggiedent Fr3sh Tartar Control Chews
by Virbac
The Virbac CET Veggiedent Fr3sh Tartar Control Chews act as a 3-way performance dental care as it cleanse bacteria or other causes of bad breath, freshens their breath every chew, and helps balance proper digestion.
» PROS
- Plant-based, no-meat ingredients
- Gluten-free
- Easily digestible
- Contains a prebiotic that helps with digestion
« CONS
- They may cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs with a sensitive stomach
5 Pedigree Dentastix Dental Treats for Dogs
by Pedigree
The patented X-shaped sticks will prevent the build-up of tartar and plaque on the dog's teeth down to the gum line.
These dog dental treats are available in various flavors, including bacon, chicken, or beef. They are an ideal option for most dogs, especially larger breeds.
» PROS
- These chews are available in two sizes and multiple flavors
- It improves the freshens of the dog's breath
- It is an affordable product made in the USA
« CONS
- The product doesn't have the approval of VOHC
- It is not suitable for dogs under 5 pounds (2.3 kg)
- Sticks are not gluten-free
Are Greenies safe for dogs?
Yes, Greenies are safe and accepted by Veterinary Oral Health Council.
However, there are still precautions when using these dental treats.
For instance, puppies aged six months below are not recommended to take greenies. Puppies under six months still have their baby teeth which will not be good for them.
Moreover, Greenies will benefit greatly from dogs above six months under your supervision.
These treats are easy to digest and can be helpful for their brain development.
However, greenies are not convenient for every dog.
Other dogs might be allergic to wheat or grain, which is one of the main ingredients in these treats.
Can dental chews replace brushing?
The quick answer is no. Dental chews are supplements, but they can never replace tooth brushing.
There's no actual substitute for brushing.
Brushing is very helpful for decreasing tartars. Proper tooth brushing is still the best standard for cleaning at home.
Dental chews are effective in reducing oral bacteria.
Moreover, dental chews are not for every dog. There are some risks when taking these treats without supervision.
There are possibilities that your dog gets an upset stomach or even allergies from the treat's ingredients.
Alternatives for Dog Toothbrushing
We all want what's best for our dogs, and some pups don't have the best time when toothbrushing.
Lucky for you, there are plenty of ways to clean your dog's teeth without using a toothbrush.
But always remember that brushing is still the golden standard for cleaning.
Here are some examples of alternatives for dog toothbrushing:
- Dental Spray
- Dog Dental Wipes
- Dog Chews
- Coconut oil
- Bully Stick Snacks
- Raw Bones
- Dental Treats
- Dental Toys
Vet-Recommended Dog Dental Chews: Summary
For keeping your dog's teeth healthy, on top of daily brushing, it is necessary to pick out the best dental chews for dogs. It is critical to limit edible or too-hard treats and be careful with compressed ones.
The best choice is flexible dog dental chews that won't break off into sharp pieces and endanger the dog after swallowing them. The above five vet-recommended dog dental chews have been some of my favorites over the years.
Moreover, dog dental chews don't just help maintain your dog's oral health. These chews can also help with bad breath, broken or extra teeth, unusual chewing or drooling, and other tartar-covered teeth.
Some dogs don't really have the best time when toothbrushing. That's why dog dental chews help struggling owners sustain their oral health.
Most importantly, as the owners, we are responsible for checking in and monitoring our dog's health. Remember that not all dogs are suitable for dog dental chews or dental treats for dogs.
It is still recommended to consult with your vet about your uncertainties about your dog's health.
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