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Like humans, dogs can suffer from dental problems, including periodontal gum disease and tooth decay. Your dog’s diet can play a major role in maintaining your dog’s teeth and gum health: Several dog foods and kibbles are formulated to reduce plaque and tartar on their teeth, and dental chews (a type of dog treat) usually have a gentle abrasive effect to physically scrub away buildup.
I spoke to veterinarians about the benefits of dental chews, how often your dog should have them and what to consider when purchasing them. I also compiled the best ones to shop based on their recommendations and guidance, as well as options NBC Select editors feed their own pets.
SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best dental chews for dogs | The best dental chews for dogs | Why trust NBC Select?
Dental chews can be great at keeping your dog’s teeth healthy and clean when used in conjunction with regular teeth cleaning. When shopping for dental chews, our experts recommend considering the following factors:
Below, I highlighted VOHC-approved dental chews for dogs that align with our experts’ guidance. All of the dental treats listed below are suitable for dogs six months and older.
Greenies are a popular dental treat that can help maintain gum health and freshen your pup’s breath, according to the brand. I’ve fed the Teeny Greenies to my 15-pound, 6-year-old havanese and bichon frise mix Bella since she was six months old, and she’s never had any issues with her teeth (she also loves the taste of them). They come in the shape of a toothbrush and are made with easy-to-digest ingredients, vitamins and minerals like glycerin and wheat flour, according to the brand. Greenies’ Regular size comes in multiple counts ranging from three treats to 72 treats in a box.
VOHC-approved function: Reduce plaque and tartar | Size: Teenie (5 pounds to 15 pounds), Petite (15 pounds to 25 pounds), Regular (25 pounds to 50 pounds) and Large (50 pounds to 100 pounds) | Calories per chew: 26 kcal for Teenie, 56 kcal for Petite, 91 kcal for Regular and 147 kcal for Large
The Virbac dental chews won an NBC Select Pet Award because they are plant-based, gluten-free and easily digestible for dogs with food sensitivities, according to the brand. They have a unique Z-shape that allows the treat to scrape away tartar in different parts of your dog’s mouth, according to Virbac. These chews are available in 30-treat and 60-treat bags.
VOHC-approved function: Reduces plaque and tartar | Size: Extra-small (under 11 pounds), small (11 pounds to 22 pounds), medium (22 pounds to 66 pounds) and large (over 66 pounds) | Calories per chew: 24 kcal for small, 48 kcal for small and medium, and 105 kcal for large
Based on the manufacturer’s trials, the Purina DentaLife Chews are proven to reduce tartar build-up by an average of 57%, according to the brand. The chews offer eight distinct ridges that can help teeth through mechanical scrubbing, while the long stick design can help reach teeth in the back of their mouth, according to Purina. The brand offers these chews in three sizes and they come in multiple counts ranging from 10 treats to 94 treats.
VOHC-approved function: Reduces tartar | Size: Mini (5 pounds to 25 pounds), small/medium (20 pounds to 40 pounds) and large (over 40 pounds) | Calories per chew: 25 kcal for mini, 63 kcal for small/medium and 100 kcal for large
These dental sticks from Pedigree, another one of my dog Bella’s favorites, can reduce tartar buildup, clean teeth and freshen breath through daily or weekly use. The stick has a patented X-shape that forms ridges to help clean teeth down to the gumline and scrape away plaque, according to Pedigree. The chews also include teeth-cleaning ingredients like sodium tripolyphosphate, as well as essential vitamins and minerals like folic acid and vitamin B12. These chews come in 10-, 25- and 45-count packages and flavors like mint, chicken and beef.
VOHC-approved function: Reduces plaque and tartar | Size: Mini (7 pounds to 22 pounds), small/medium (22 pounds to 40 pounds) and large (over 40 pounds) | Calories per chew: 21 kcal for mini, 53 kcal for small/medium and 76 kcal for large
If your dog tends to chew for extended periods, consider Woof’s Bite n’ Brush toy. The V-shaped device has silicone bristles along the inside to scrub plaque and tartar off their teeth — you simply fill the brush with the brand’s own dental treats (or a treat of your choice). Plus, it extends the time it takes to chew a dental treat. My family’s 1-year-old goldendoodle, Enzo, is a heavy chewer with lots of energy, so this brush cleans and scrubs his teeth while keeping him entertained for much longer than a typical dental treat would. The starter pack comes with the brush and dental treat refills (which you can purchase once or choose to have them automatically shipped to your door every four, six or eight weeks).
VOHC-approved function: Reduces plaque and tartar | Size: small (10-30 lbs) and large (30+ lbs) | Calories per chew: 56 kcal
When I want to give Bella a dental chew that will keep her entertained for several minutes, I give her this Pupford option. It’s larger and thicker than most other dental treats, so it keeps her busy while simultaneously making her teeth stronger. It has a mint flavor that freshens up Bella’s breath, too. These chews come in packs of 14 and 30.
VOHC-approved function: Reduces plaque and tartar | Size: One size | Calories per chew: 72 kcal
Another NBC Select Pet Award winner, these chews are firm enough to clean teeth and have delmopinol hydrochloride, which helps to reduce plaque, experts say. They also help reduce gingivitis formation on the teeth and serve as a protective agent to prevent future buildup, according to OraVet. The chews are made for dogs aged six months and older and available in 14-count and 30-count bags.
VOHC-approved function: Reduces tartar | Size: Extra-small (3.5 pounds to 9 pounds), small (10 pounds to 24 pounds), medium (25 pounds to 50 pounds) and large (over 50 pounds) | Calories per chew: 26.8 kcal for extra-small, 47.7 kcal for small, 80.5 kcal for medium and 128.2 kcal for large
These Milk-Bone chews can cut down on tartar and fight bad breath using a patented design with bristle-like nubs and ridges that are made to twist as your dog chews, according to the brand. Made to taste like savory chicken, the chews provide 12 essential vitamins and minerals, including ferrous sulfate, calcium iodate and vitamin E. You can get these chews in a 9-, 25- or 36-count bag.
VOHC-approved function: Reduces tartar | Size: Mini (for dogs 5 pounds to 24 pounds), small/medium (25 pounds to 49 pounds) and large (over 50 pounds) | Calories per chew: 30 kcal for mini, 65 kcal for small/medium and 100 kcal for large
Tartar Shield’s Soft Rawhide Chews are clinically proven to reduce bacteria and tartar build-up by more than 50% with ingredients like sodium tripolyphosphate that help prevent tartar formation. Unlike conventional rawhide — which can be a choking hazard for many dogs, experts told us in our guide to dog toys — these chews are made so your dog can bite into them, chew them and digest them safely since the rawhide is minced, according to the brand. These chews offer a savory bacon flavor and come with eight to 30 treats in each bag.
VOHC-approved function: Reduce tartar | Size: Small (under 35 pounds), large (35 pounds to 75 pounds) and extra-large (over 70 pounds) | Calories per chew: 51 kcal for small, 78 kcal for large and 240 kcal for extra-large
The best way to maintain your dog’s dental hygiene and keep their gums and teeth free of plaque is by scheduling regular teeth cleanings at the vet and brushing their teeth daily with a dog-safe toothpaste and toothbrush combo. Dental chews can also help: They work to mechanically scrape off odor-causing bacteria and leftover food from their teeth, experts say. Some dental chews include a chemical anti-plaque agent like delmopinol that creates a protective barrier on the teeth.
Dental treats can help remove some plaque buildup on their teeth and can be a valuable addition to your at-home oral health care for your dog, says Dr. Joe Wakshlag, professor of clinical nutrition and sports medicine and rehabilitation at Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine. However, these treats shouldn’t replace the aforementioned teeth-cleaning methods, nor should you give them to pups less than six months old since their adult teeth haven’t come in yet, he says.
The veterinarians I spoke to suggest looking for a registered certification mark from the Veterinary Oral Health Council — an entity of the American Veterinary Dental College — which indicates that the dental treat has met pre-set standards that prove it can reduce calculus (tartar) and plaque development on your dog’s teeth by 15-20%. The VOHC — a group of veterinary dentists and dental scientists — review data from manufacturers’ research trials and give the VOHC Seal to products that they determine can help reduce the severity of periodontal disease in dogs and cats with regular use, the American Veterinary Dental College says.
Dental chews can help reduce plaque and tartar accumulation as long as they’re used alongside other teeth-cleaning methods. You should also consider what type of chewer your dog is to see if they’d actually benefit from regular dental treats or if that’ll just be empty added calories, says Wakshlag.
If you do notice they are not fully chewing their treats, it’s likely better to schedule annual professional dental cleanings, especially for smaller dogs who are more prone to dental problems, says Wakshlag.
Make sure to track the dental treat calories and adjust food portions accordingly — treats shouldn’t exceed more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake, experts told us in my guide to dog treats. If your dog is getting several treats throughout the day, it’s probably best to give them two to three dental chews a week rather than giving them out daily, says Wakshlag. And just like their regular treats, “always consider the size of your dog and avoid chews or sticks that are too small for the breed to avoid choking hazards,” says Caylee Freels, a licensed veterinary technician at VCA White Lake Animal Hospital.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I am an updates editor at NBC Select who covers a variety of pet topics, including dog food, beds, treats, toys and more. For this article, I spoke to four veterinarians and veterinary technicians about the benefits and limitations of dog dental chews and whether they’re worth it for your pet. I also compiled their recommendations for the best dental chews to consider and researched dozens of options on the market based on the experts’ guidance.
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Mili Godio is an updates editor for NBC Select. Her expertise lies in wellness, skin care, pets, home and kitchen, and travel.
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