Best Dental Chews for Dogs | Best Dental Dog Treats

Best Dental Chews for Dogs

Dental chews are dog treats that have cleaning power. Apart from brushing and annual cleanings, dental chews are good for your dog’s dental health. They are mainly made of a mildly abrasive ingredient that removes plaque before it forms tartar. Your dog’s teeth healthy is very important and dental problems can lead to loss of appetite and tooth loss and eventually causing damage to other organs. Therefore, you should always maintain your dog’s dental health and dog chews are a good way of doing this. However, they should be used with some precautions. If you are a new pawparent and you are wondering which are the best dental chews for dogs, we got your back. We have reviewed some of the best dental chews for dogs that will help in maintaining your dog’s oral health. Let’s dive in!

Top 5 Best Dental Chews for Dogs

#1) Greenies Teenie Dental Dog Treats

 

The Greenies teenie dog treats have a unique shape and texture that cleans the dog’s teeth to the gum thus fighting plague and tartar build-up leaving your dog with a pleasant fresh breath.  The great taste of the chews is irresistibly delicious leaving your dog wanting more and gives the desired results in every bite. They are fortified with minerals, vitamins and other nutrients that will supplement your dog’s diet.

As one of the best dental chews for dogs, these chews are Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) accepted and veterinarian recommended. They are easy to digest as they are made with natural ingredients that are nutritionally complete. The Teenie greenies are suitable for dogs weighing between 2 to 7 Kilograms however greenies have a wide variety of chews that are specified for dogs depending on their weight and needs.

Features

• Unique shape and texture to clean your dog’s teeth and gums.
• Fights plaque and tartar.
• Gives your dog a pleasant breath.
• Irresistibly delicious.
• Fortified with minerals, vitamins and other nutrients that will supplement your dog’s diet.
• Veterinary oral health council (VOHC) accepted.
• Veterinarian recommended.
• Natural ingredients.
• Easy to digest.
• Nutritionally complete.
• Suitable for dogs weighing between 2 to 7 kilograms.

#2) Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Dental Dog Chews

 

The C.E.T. product line is the number one recommended brand for dental health by veterinarians. These chews are made of carefully selected beef hide and are poultry flavored to make them irresistibly delicious to your four-legged friends. It uses a dual enzyme system to clean teeth as it combines a natural antiseptic and an abrasive texture that works together with the chewing action to remove plaque and tartar from your dog’s mouth. These oral hygiene chews among the best dental chews for dogs and are clinically proven to be effective in maintaining the oral health of your dog.

To maximize effectiveness, your dog should take one chew a day and even if you miss brushing its teeth, this chew will suffice. When purchasing, pick the most appropriate pack depending on the weight of your dog as these pills are segmented depending on the dog’s weight. If you looking for dental chews for dogs that have stood the test of time, the Virbac C.E.T oral hygiene chews are a great choice.

Features

• The CET product line is the number one recommended brand for a dog’s dental health.
• Made of carefully selected beef hide.
• Poultry flavored.
• Irresistibly delicious.
• Uses a dual enzyme system for cleaning.
• Combines a natural antiseptic and an abrasive texture to get rid of plaque and tartar.
• Clinically proven to be effective.
• At least one chew a day is recommended.
• Segmented according to dog weight therefore you should consider the weight of your dog before purchase.

#3) Pedigree DENTASTIX Treats for Large Dogs

 

These chews come in an X design that allows each stick to scrape off plaque and clean your dog’s teeth to its gum line. It is clinically proven to get rid of plaque and prevent the formation of tartar thus preventing gum and teeth diseases. The abrasive texture of this chew enables it to thoroughly clean your dog’s teeth even in the hard to reach parts of the mouth. It is a triple-action chew that cleans teeth, fights tartar, and has a patented ingredient that gives your dog a fresh breath all in one chew.

For maximum effectiveness, you should give a chew a day to your dog. They have a tasty chicken flavor that your doodle will enjoy and even want another. Pedigree DENTASTIX Treats for Large Dogs are suitable for large dogs that weigh more than 30 pounds. As one of the best dental chews for dogs, these treats are ideal for your pooch’s daily dental care.

Features

• Triple action dog chew. They clean your dog’s teeth, fights plaque and tartar and give your dog a fresh breath.
• The chews have an abrasive texture that cleans your dog’s teeth even in the hard to reach areas.
• Contain a patented ingredient that freshens your dog’s breath.
• Come in X design sticks for effective cleaning.
• A chew a day is recommended.
• Chicken flavored.
• Irresistibly delicious.
• Clinically proven to maintain your dog’s dental health.
• Suitable for large dogs that weigh more than 30 pounds.

#4) Milk-Bone Advanced Oral Care Brushing Chews

 

Do you cringe at the idea of brushing your dog’s teeth because your dog doesn’t like it and it ends up giving you a hard time? If yes, the Milk-Bone Advanced Oral Care Brushing Chews are the right dental chews for you. These chews are as effective as brushing your dog’s teeth twice a week when it comes to preventing tartar build-up. They are patented dental flexible bones with cruxes and ridges that are intended to clean teeth the same way a toothbrush cleans teeth.

They are Veterinary Oral Health Council (VHOC) approved to prevent tartar formation and clinically proven to reduce tartar and bad breath. As one of the best dental chews for dogs, they are fortified with 12 essential vitamins and minerals including calcium which helps in maintaining strong bones and teeth. They come in different flavors and sizes depending on your dog’s size and preference.

Features

• The chews are as effective as brushing your dog’s teeth twice a week.
• Good for dogs that do not like brushing.
• Patented dental flexible bones with cruxes and ridges that are intended to clean teeth the same way a toothbrush cleans teeth.
• Veterinary Oral Health Council approved to prevent tartar formation.
• Clinically proven to reduce tartar and bad breath.
• Fortified with 12 essential vitamins and minerals including calcium which helps in maintaining strong bones and teeth.
• Come in different flavors and sizes depending on your dog’s size and preference.

#5) Pawstruck Natural Cow Hooves for Dogs

 

These are all-natural dog treats made in a factory that adheres to all quality assurance standards. They are free from artificial flavors, hormones and chemicals making them a good alternative to rawhide chews. They are well-trimmed and cleaned to ensure a minimum odor that your dog will love. These hooves remove plaque and tartar from your dog’s teeth to maintain a good dental. These hooves are hollow allowing you to fill them with treats such as yogurt or peanut butter.

They are slow-cooked to lock in flavor that your dog will love. The Pawstruck Natural Cow Hooves for Dogs are full-sized and long-lasting having a 36 months shelf life. These hooves are a safe and healthy choice and will leave your dog’s teeth sparkling. They are packed in different sizes depending on your budget and needs. As one of the best dental chews for dogs, the Pawstruck cow hooves are the complete package for any canine.

Features

• All-natural as they are made from cow hooves.
• Free from artificial flavors, hormones and chemicals making them a good alternative to rawhide chews.
• Well-trimmed and cleaned to ensure minimum odor.
• Slowly cooked to lock in flavor.
• Remove plaque and tartar from your dog’s teeth.
• They are hollow allowing you to fill them with treats such as peanut butter or yogurt.
• Full-sized and long-lasting.
• A safe and healthy choice of dental chews.

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Best Dental Chews for Dogs Buying Guide & FAQs

What to Look for When Buying Best Dental Chews for Dogs

1. Size

Depending on the size of your dog, you can choose the appropriate size of a dental chew. Smaller dogs should be given smaller chews to minimize the risk of your pup getting chocked while larger dogs can handle larger chews. Always check the packet to make sure the dental chew is appropriate for your dog.

2. Texture

The best dental chews for dogs are created differently. If you decide to go with the dental chew toys, they should be hard enough to scrape off any plaque but also soft enough not to harm your dog. Avoid hard plastic chews, sharp bones and antlers as they can easily hurt your pup.

3. Ingredients

Ingredients in the best dental chews for dogs determine their effectiveness. For treats, try as much as possible to get ones with high-quality ingredients and low-fat content. It is advisable to go for chews that are Veterinary Oral Health Council Approved (VHOC) as they are efficient and safe. Ensure the dental chew you choose for your canine friend has a list of all the ingredients in it. Avoid dog treats with ingredients that may trigger an allergic reaction in your pooch. Consider purchasing dental chews for dogs from reputable brands as they are trustworthy.

4. Shape and Design

One thing that is crystal clear about the best dental chews for dogs is that they are designed differently. No two treats will have the same shape. The most popular dental treats are bone-shaped and their shapes will have slight differences from one product to the other. Some dental chews will have a shape that easily gets around the dog’s teeth when they start to chew while others look like a honeycomb. When the pup bites such dental chews, the honeycomb brushes clean the teeth getting rid of any tartar. Most of the chews have a chewing time of about 10 minutes which is enough to brush around all the teeth.

5. Flavor

Considering we are talking about dog treats; flavor should be top of all considerations. The best dental chews for dogs come are available in various flavors from chicken, beef, bacon to cheese. Whereas some chews will have one flavor, others will come in several flavors for you to choose from. What things do your pet like the most? Try to find dental chews with a flavor that is in line with what your pup fancy the most.

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Types of Best Dental Chews for Dogs

• Dog Chew Toys – These are not edible but are efficient for pets that chew through edible chews too quickly.
• Rawhide chews – These chews effectively remove plaque and tartar and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are made from animal hides and skins.
• Dental chews, bones and biscuits – These are edible. Some contain enzymes that help to get rid of plague as well as stimulate the production of saliva.
• Dog Dental diets – Some dog foods are formulated to fight tartar and plaque. Some come in the form of large hard kibble that does not easily crush thus creates a scrubbing action on the dog’s teeth that removes plaque and tartar. Some have a coating that helps in reducing plaque and discouraging the formation of tartar.

Benefits of using Best Dental Chews for Dogs

1. They help in eliminating bad breath.
2. They stimulate saliva production which in turn helps in fighting plague aid that would eventually cause tooth decay.
3. As they are mainly made of abrasive ingredients, they rub on your dog’s teeth thus acting like a toothbrush.
4. Most dogs and cats end up suffering from periodontal disease and dental chews help in reducing the risk of developing this disease.
5. Chews contain enzymes that help in fighting bacteria that may eventually result in tooth decay.
6. Dogs naturally have a natural urge to chew and dental chews work magic when it comes to fulfilling this desire.
7. Chews help in preventing bad behavior that occurs due to boredom. Chews give some mental stimulation that will help in keeping your dog from boredom.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Best Dental Chews for Dogs

Q: Are Dog Chews Safe?

A: Most dog chews are safe. All those that are approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council are safe. If the necessary precaution is taken and all instructions on the packaging are followed, dog chews are good for your pets.

Q: How Do I Take Necessary Precautions with Dog Chews?

A:

• Make the right match – Depending on the personality of your dog, get the chew that suits it best. For instance, dogs that go through edible chews very fast should be given nonedible ones.
• Do not give too many chews – Edible chews can make your dog add weight if taken in high quantities.
• Keep off hard bones– Some dogs might break hard plastic and animal bones. This will result in it hurting its teeth.
• Ensure that the bones and treats are safe and sterilized – Fresh dog bones and dog ears might have some bacteria which will in turn cause harm to your dog.
• Take caution with compressed chews – For dogs that chew too quickly, compressed edibles such as rawhides might choke your dog or cause some intestinal upset.

Q: Do Dog Chews Work?

A: Yes, most dog chews are effective in removing plaque and tartar. The Veterinarian Oral Health Council (VHOC) approved frictional options chews are effective in removing 15% plaque while the enzymatic ones are effective in removing 20% of plague. However, regular brushing and occasional veterinarian dental cleaning should also be done.

Q: What Oral Problems Do Dogs Suffer From?

A: Dog oral problems are more or less similar to those of humans. They include bad breath, plaque, tartar, swollen, bleeding or irritated gums and pain. All these can be avoided if the dog’s oral health is well maintained. You should also visit the vet in case your dog has symptoms of any dental issues.

Conclusion

Maintaining the oral health of your dog is very important and it does not have to be too difficult. A dog whose dental health is well taken care of will live a healthy life and will be pleasant to those around. Nobody wants a dog with bad breath.

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