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Best Dental Chews for Dogs 2024
Written by Ralph Jones
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 11/28/2023, edited: 01/22/2024
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
Dental chews are fabulous things. If you find that your pup is reluctant to have its teeth brushed, dog dental chews can come to your aid in a second. As every expert will tell you, dental chews are no replacement for regular teeth brushing but they are a great way of covertly cleaning your dog’s teeth: the pups enjoy the chews so much they have no idea they’re actually brushing their gnashers, ridding them of the harmful plaque that can turn to tartar if left alone for about 48 hours.
But, as with any range of products, there are good examples and bad examples. What are the best dental chews for large dogs? What are the best dental chews for pet parents on a budget? You might be keen to find a chew that rids your dog of bad breath; you might be in the market for a chew that’s tailored to dogs with sensitive stomachs. What to choose?
Fear not, pet parent. Here we’ve selected five of the best dog dental chews for your furry friend. By the end of this guide, you’re going to be an expert too.
Overview
Virbac CET VeggieDent Fr3sh Tartar Control
It might win the prize for the least catchy name but, Virbac CET VeggieDent Fr3sh Tartar Control dental chews are a great choice when it comes to dental chews for dogs. Why? These chews are particularly popular with veterinarians, the people who look at dog teeth more than they look at their own.
In that paragraph-long name you might be wondering what ‘CET’ stands for. The answer is ‘Clean Every Tooth’ — something many vets would say it achieves more efficiently than almost any other rival brand.
Virbac Dental Dog Chews
Why Wag! loves Virbac
- These chews come in a (patented!) Z shape that allow them to clean your dog’s teeth more efficiently than other shapes
- The recipe contains prebiotics for better digestion
Considerations & Concerns
- They’re high on protein and comparatively low on fiber — not necessarily a bad thing, just something you should be aware of when balancing your pup’s diet
- They may be a touch more expensive than your average chew, so the price is a consideration
What pet parents say about Virbac VeggieDent Chews
“"Ian", our black Scottish Terrier sets his clock by Veggiedent time. When the time comes, he gently takes it from my hand, lies down close to me and enjoys every chew. It's a good product that I recommend to my dog loving friends. Our vet sells them in her office, which means she thinks they are a top notch treat.”
“Bought these as a cheaper alternative to Bully bones or tendons from our vet and Casey loves them. Easier on her sensitive digestive system, and she can have them once a day per the instructions, so a nice, chewy treat. She's a chewer anyway so her teeth are pretty clean, but these get the residue a regular dental chew bone can't reach. She does the happy dance when the bag comes out.”
“My dog likes these a lot and they are a nice addition to his treat arsenal, especially since he gets scared when I've tried to brush his teeth. All the CET products are awesome!”
Read more reviews onChewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy.
Pedigree Dentastix
Some of the brands on this list are a little on the more expensive side so here’s a great option for anyone looking to get a high-quality dental chew product but for a price that falls under the more affordable bracket.
Don’t worry that you’ll be making big compromises though; pet parent reviews of Pedigree Dentastix are very positive, and the X-shaped treats are sure to help in your dog’s journey to a healthier set of fangs.
Dentastix come in a range of flavors: bacon; bacon and chicken; beef and chicken. And, if bad doggy breath is a particular worry, you’ll be pleased to hear there’s a fresh mint option for your pup.
Pedigree Dental Dog Treats
Why Wag! loves Pedigree Dentastix
- The price is unmatched: simply put, this is a product that beats all other easily available rivals when it comes to affordability
- Don’t just take our word for it. Veterinarians agree that these chews do wonders for your doggo’s gnashers, giving them a thorough scrub
Considerations & Concerns
- The label is vague, and Pedigree have been criticized for including ingredients like potassium sorbate, which can harm white blood cells
- The presence of grain in the food is worth noting. While plenty of experts cite grain as perfectly healthy for dogs, some may find that it irritates their pet
What pet parents say about Pedigree Dentastix
“We buy these Dentastix to help keep our dogs healthy. After shopping around we found them at Chewy for a good price and quick shipping. The boys love them! We only give them one a day but they'd love to have more. They seem to help us avoid teeth cleanings at the vet. Our old guy, 16, has decent teeth. Younger 7 year old has never had a cleaning and his teeth look good too.”
“Walker would not be able to have a complete day without getting his chewy treats when we come in from playing[,] his teeth are gorgeous and his breath is amazing. Most days:-)”
“Gunner is ten years old and has a Dentastix every day. I have had Gunner for 9.2 years of his life, he visits his vet, Dr. Erika Cartwright at Advanced Animal Care, regularly. Gunner's teeth are strong, healthy and clean and I attribute much of that to the fact that he has the Dentastix every day. I also brush Gunner's teeth several times a week with toothpaste and a toothbrush from Chewys. Gunner loves Chewys and so does Gunner's mother!!”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Dental Chewz
Super-low in fat and super-high in protein, these vet-recommended chews — sorry, chewz — contain beefhide and are made by the trusted pet brand Purina. Purina claims these chewz significantly reduce the build-up of tartar — something that a lot of pet parents agree with.
Purina Dental Dog Chewz
Why Wag! loves Dental Chewz
- The quality of ingredients in Purina products is always high, and protein from animals is always great for dogs — it helps strengthen their muscles, nails, tendons and more
- Purina takes its products through rigorous testing to ensure they serve dogs as well as possible
Considerations & Concerns
- Some pet parents have reported that because of the beefhide the chews are difficult to swallow, which can lead to a higher risk of choking
- There may not be enough in the box for you, so you may find yourself re-stocking more regularly than you would like
What pet parents say about Dental Chewz
“A year ago after his last dental cleaning my Vet recommended these chews to prevent tartar build up on Ned[‘]s teeth. This year at his annual exam his teeth were tartar free. He looks forward to them every morning and will remind me if I forget.”
“The boys love them and it keeps them distracted for a bit which can be difficult with Weimaraners! I wish Chewy sold these in larger quantities though. I have to buy 10 boxes at a time.”
“My boss gave me a box when we first brought our 3 pound puppy home, and he was obsessed with them!! It really saved our hands while he was teething! Now at 7 months and 34 pounds, he still loves them!”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy.
Whimzees by Wellness
Wellness' Whimzees dental chews are a fantastic option that come in a wide range of shapes. If you’ve always wanted a dental chew in the shape of an alligator, a toothbrush or a hedgehog, it’s your lucky day — Whimzee can provide it for you. (They even have a Halloween range for any doggos who don’t like feeling left out of the spooky season.) They also come in a variety of sizes and we think they’re particularly good for large dogs - their XL chews will be more than a match for your big boy or girl.
One of the best-known brands on the market, Whimzees favors a formula that’s grain-free, gluten-free and vegetarian — so if your pup has intolerances, or you just want them to control their meat intake, these could be a perfect purchase. What’s more, although the higher price might be off-putting, it’s worth knowing that pet parents claim that the chews last longer than others.
Whimzees Dental Dog Chews
Why Wag! loves Whimzees
- The ingredients — like malt extract, yeast and potato starch — are all-natural, keeping your dog as healthy as possible. The fiber levels in particular are fantastic
- The range of available sizes means not just that the brand caters to a broad spectrum of pet parents but also that you can alter the size of the chew according to how hungry your dog is at the time
- The chews are made by WellPet LLC, a company with a long history of looking after pets
Considerations & Concerns
- Sitting at the higher end of the price spectrum, Whimzees may be out of some pet parents’ price range
- Because Whimzees are perhaps more rigid than the average chew, they may not be optimal for dogs who have digestive problems or sensitive teeth
What pet parents say about Whimzees
“Poppy loves these. The alligators are her favorite because I push them along the floor and she tries to catch it, then she throws it around the room until she decides to eat it. We have the whole collection and we just received the Christmas ones which are trees and snowmen. We would highly recommend Whimzees.”
“Our miniature schnauzer really enjoys her Whimzees chews. It doesn't matter which shape or color we offer her, she's always excited to get her teeth into one! We've given her a variety of other denta-stick type chews in the past and Whimzees seem to last the longest and surely more chewing time means more tooth cleaning! The manufacturers certainly claim they are 80% more effective than many other similar products. While I don't know how they get that number, I believe they are better than a lot of the chews we've given Ada in the past.”
“These chews take my dogs a bit more time to eat and so (are) worth paying a few more pennies for.”
Read more reviews on Vetshop.
Product image sourced from Chewy.
OraVet Dental Care Hygiene Chews
Perhaps you read the entry about large dogs above and you thought, “But my dog’s TINY.” Well, his is the one for you. The OraVet Dental Care Hygiene Chews come in an extra-small size for tiny dogs weighing around 3.5 to 9 lbs. You don’t need to worry about them battling with a chew the length of their body; OraVet has taken their needs into consideration.
What’s more, this product — highly recommended by vets — contains a special ingredient called delmopinol, which is apparently a first for canine dental chews. Found in human mouthwash, delmopinol helps to prevent teeth problems in future by forming a barrier that fights off plaque, one of the mouth’s biggest enemies.
Oravet Dental Dog Chews
Why Wag! loves OraVet Dental Care Hygiene Chews
- One great plus is that each chew is individually wrapped, meaning it stays fresh for longer and doesn’t dry out
- The very chewy consistency of these chews means that pups can be occupied with them for a long time
- This might be one of the best dog dental chews for bad breath
Considerations & Concerns
- Pet parents have complained about the lack of clarity over the chews’ precise ingredients
- While this will vary from dog to dog, some have also complained that the chews have caused their furry friend to get diarrhea
What pet parent say about OraVet Dental Care Hygiene Chews
“My dogs love them and the difference in their teeth is very noticeable after just 2 weeks. Our vet recommended these and we are so pleased with the results!”
“I have been feeding these to my Pom daily for a few years, as recommended by our vet. She loves them! I feed her half of one every night (I cut into smaller pieces because I'm always afraid of choking). I think they help her teeth.”
“The only dental chew of many we've tried that actually make[s] our dog's breath tolerable. If he goes a couple of days without them, the bad odor begins to return. So he gets one every night, he loves them and we do too.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy.
FAQ
Are dog dental chews bad for dogs?
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Are dog dental chews fattening?