10 Best Dental Chews for Dogs – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Just like us, our beloved dogs can develop dental problems. In fact, it’s so common that over 80 percent of dogs over 3 years of age are reported to have active dental disease. While nothing can substitute the need for regular teeth brushing, there are some other ways to combat this common problem.

Dental chews are something that many dog owners turn to for keeping up with oral hygiene and promoting dental health. These types of chews are designed specifically to help fight tartar and plaque, keep the teeth clean, and freshen up bad doggy breath, but with so many on the market nowadays, how do you narrow it down to the best choice?

Finding the perfect dental chews for your pup can depend on several factors, but we’ve done some digging and come up with a list of the best dental chews you can find based on ingredients, efficacy, and reviews from fellow pet parents.

 

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Dental Chews for Dogs

1. Greenies Dental Treats – Best Overall

Greenies are one of the most popular dog dental chews around. Not only can you find them just about anywhere, including retail stores, veterinary clinics, and online, but they are accepted by the VOHC, or Veterinary Oral Health Council.

The texture of Greenies is designed to clean the teeth all the way down to the gumline and ward off plaque and tartar, promoting better breath. They are made from natural ingredients and include various vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.

They are made to be easily digestible and draw dogs in with the taste. Greenies are affordable and get our pick for best overall dental chews for dogs due to great quality, getting the job done, and being highly reviewed by thousands of pet parents. Of course, some dogs may turn their noses up and refuse them entirely and there are very few reports of illness after chewing on Greenies, so be sure to talk to your veterinarian if you have any concerns.

• Read more: Greenies Dog Treats Review: Pros & Cons

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2. Purina Dentalife – Best Value

Purina Dentalife is going to be a great option for those looking to stay on a stricter budget but also wanting the best dental chews for dogs for the money. There are plenty of reviews to back up how much dog parents love offering these dental treats to their pups.

The texture is porous, so it helps clean the teeth and freshen breath. They’ve even been scientifically tested to reduce tartar buildup and clean teeth down to the gumline, according to Purina. They are a great option for most dogs, especially seniors and those with more sensitive teeth but may be torn apart quickly by strong chewers.

Plenty of owners describe how their dogs love the taste and that they notice a difference in both bad breath and the appearance of their dog’s teeth after regular use. The downside? These treats are full of preservatives and the ingredients list doesn’t stand up as well to competitors. There are also several reviews complaining of upset stomachs and diarrhea.

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3. OraVet Hygiene Dental Chews – Premium Choice

OraVet is a popular brand of dental chews that has been around for quite some time. While a bit more on the pricey side, these once-a-day chews have been clinically shown to prevent plaque and tartar build-up by creating a barrier that prevents bacteria from attaching in the first place.

These chews are designed to be easily digestible and are formulated with delmopinol which is a common ingredient used in human oral care products. These treats come in four sizes based on your dog’s weight, so they are great for all breeds and sizes.

They are popular among the four-legged judges, as many owners go on about how much their dogs live with their daily dental chews. Other than being higher than average in price, the biggest downfall we could find is that some dog owners did report some issues with gastrointestinal upset, so be wary if your dog has a more sensitive stomach.

• Read more: Oravet Dental Chews Review: Recalls, Pros & Cons

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4. Get Naked Grain-Free Dental Sticks – Best for Puppies and Small Breeds

These grain free dental sticks from Get Naked are a favorite among dog owners, and for good reason. They are made with healthy, natural ingredients that offer a boost of vitamins and antioxidants while supporting dental health.

These low-calorie treats are made with chicken, fruits, and other superfoods. They are free from grains, corn, wheat, and soy and are an excellent choice for small dogs and puppies due to being beneficial to the teeth, but easier to chew.

Get Naked advises these treats are crafted to neutralize the free radicals within the mouth, which are cell damaging, to reduce plaque buildup and keep the teeth looking as white as possible. While plenty of owners love these treats, even for sensitive pups, there were rare reports of digestive upset, which is common when introducing new treats.

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5. WHIMZEES by Wellness Brushzees Dental Chews

The WHIMZEES by Wellness Brushzees are suitable for dogs of all sizes and are a great choice of dental chew for any dog. They are made to prevent bad breath and tartar buildup and shaped for easy gripping and to promote optimal blood flow to the gums.

What we love is that they contain no GMOs, artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or any artificial ingredients. They are also free from gluten and vegetarian, so they are a great option for those with food allergies or sensitivities.

These chews are very hard, and while this is a preference for some, it can be problematic for seniors or those with more sensitive teeth. The company does advise these are not meant for dogs under 9 months of age. 

• Read more: Whimzees Dog Treats Review: Recalls, Pros & Cons

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6. Nylabone Nutri Dent

Nylabone is a well-known brand that produces a variety of dog chews, including their Nutri Dent dental chews that are designed to support oral health, freshen breath, and keep teeth clean. They have a 360-degree design and a texture that helps reduce plaque and tartar.

There are no artificial flavors or other artificial ingredients, and they also have no added sugar or salt in the recipe. The manufacturer states that this limited ingredient formula is safe for even the most sensitive dogs and these chews are highly digestible and made here in the United States.

They are reasonably priced and come in five size options to suit dogs of all sizes and are highly recommended by dog owners. The biggest downfall we could find was that some dogs refused to try the chews altogether.

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7. Blue Buffalo Dental Bones

Blue Buffalo’s Dental Bones get great ratings for being a favorite among dogs and containing natural ingredients with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. They are designed to be easily digested and contain added vitamins and minerals to help support overall oral health.

These bones contain no poultry by-product meals and are free from grains, corn, wheat, soy, and gluten, making them a great pick for dogs that suffer from certain food allergies or intolerances. You can find them in four different sizes, making them ideal for any breed.

Overall, these are highly rated dental chews, though owners of heavy chewers will advise that they may not work well for these dogs because they do not last as long as expected and are destroyed easily. 

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8. True Acre Foods All-Natural Dental Chew Sticks

The All-Natural Dental Chew Sticks from True Acre Food is a well-reviewed option that features a six-point shape to help fight off tartar and plaque and keep the teeth clean and breath smelling fresh. They also come in five flavor options, so most dogs are big fans of the taste, too.

They are made from easily digestible ingredients, contain no added sugars, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and have a reasonable number of calories. Unlike most dental chews, these only come in one size, so they’ll need to be broken up for small dogs.

While these are an excellent choice for dental chew, there are complaints that the size is much too small for the larger pups, and they are much too easy to tear up for those hardcore chewers. Many owners warn they may be gone in a matter of seconds.

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9. Rachael Ray Nutrish Soup Bones

Rachael Ray’s Nutrish Soup Bones are a budget friendly choice that contain real chicken and are free from rawhide, artificial flavors, and animal byproduct meals. The ridged shape combined with the texture is designed to support healthy teeth and gums while freshening up that doggy breath.

There is calcium added to support strong teeth and bones, and there’s a small amount of peppermint oil to give your dog minty fresh breath. These dental chews get great feedback from the canines, though some owners reported some slight digestive upset and there were some dogs that refused to try them.

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10. American Kennel Club AKC Dentacare

The American Kennel Club makes these Yogurt with Strawberry Blueberry & Banana Flavor Dental Dog Treats without any artificial colors, by-products, or by-product meals unlike some of their other products in the Dentacare line.

These treats feature a star shape design to help reduce the buildup of plaque and tartar. They feature three fruit and yogurt flavor choices all in one bag. The ingredient list is much longer than a lot of other competitors on the list, and the recipe does include artificial preservatives.

These chews get generally good reviews overall, however there were a few more reports of digestive upset with these, so it’s best to be mindful of this when trying out a new treat for your dog.

 

Buyer’s Guide: Things to Consider When Shopping for Dog Dental Chews

There are plenty of different products to choose from, and all claim to be the best of the best. It can be hard to narrow down your options, even after you narrow down which ones stand out amongst the rest, so we’ve broken down some things you should consider when choosing the best dental chews for your dog.

VOHC Registered Seal

The VOHC, or Veterinary Oral Health Council, is a group that recognizes products that meet pre-set standards of plaque and tartar control in dogs and cats. VOHC is recognized worldwide, and any products accepted by the VOHC are thoroughly reviewed through trials conducted using their own protocols. They receive a seal to be displayed and are considered both high-quality and effective dental products for both dogs and cats.

Efficacy

Every product is going to make the claim that they get the job done, but you need to look into the dental chews that are proven to aid in dental health rather than just roping you in with marketing. Each product will differ in efficacy, so it’s a good idea to look for those that are backed by research and have reviews from dog owners just like you to state that they do as they are intended. If you ever have any questions regarding the efficacy of certain dental chews, don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian.

Durability

While some dental chews are edible, some are not. If you opt for a non-edible chew, you need to make sure that it is durable enough to withstand your dog’s chewing habits so that you don’t run the risk of them digesting the chew.

Even with edible products, you want something that will last long enough for your dog to chew and get the desired benefits of the product. This can depend highly on your dog’s chewing habits, as there are plenty of hardcore chewers out there that make it difficult to find dental chews and toys that can withstand those powerful jaws and teeth.

Size

For a dental chew to be both safe and effective, you will want to make sure that you buy the appropriate size. As you can see above, many chews can be bought in various sizes to suit your dog’s specific needs. There are some that come in only one size, and those will usually suggest that the chew be broken into pieces for the smaller dogs. This can be a bit more problematic for the extra-large pups though, as they often aren’t quite large enough. Regardless, you should aim to find something size appropriate for your four-legged companion.

Edibility

There are both edible and non-edible dental chews available on the market nowadays. Choosing between the two is up to your preference and your dog’s habits. If your pet is a finicky eater, they do not enjoy an edible chew, so opting for a non-edible variety will help them get in their daily dose of chewing while benefiting their dental health as they go.

You must be careful and supervise your dog to ensure any non-edible chew isn’t swallowed. These types of chews can pose a safety hazard for choking and potential gastrointestinal obstruction, so it’s always best to err on the side of caution.

As far as edible chews go, it’s always a good idea to talk to your veterinarian before you add anything to their daily diet. Keep in mind that the ingredients in the chew may be new to your doggie’s system and could cause some GI upset.

Flavor

Like any other dog treat, dental chews often come in a variety of flavors, so it’s a good idea to pick a flavor that your dog is sure to love. This will help you ensure that you don’t waste your money on something they refuse to eat. Each dog is an individual though, so preferences vary. It can be trial and error to figure out what works.

Ingredients

It’s always a good idea to check the list of ingredients before offering anything new to your dog. For those that suffer from allergies, intolerances, or have sensitive systems, it’s important to ensure there are no ingredients that could cause any unwanted side effects. Depending on your dog, this can include certain proteins, corn, wheat, gluten, or soy.

Many dog owners like to avoid ingredients such as artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or even animal by-products or by-product meals. Depending on your preferences, you should always screen the ingredients to ensure the chews meet your preferences and are healthy for your dog.

 

Conclusion

There are many dental chews available nowadays that all claim the same thing, but researching the individual products and their reviews can help you narrow down the best choices. Some of our top picks include Greenies, which are easy to find and accepted by the VOHC, Purina Dentalife, a great option for those looking for a highly reviewed chew at a lower price, and OraVet Hygiene Dental Chews that have been clinically proven to aid in dental health. Regardless of which route you go, be sure to stay current with your dog’s dental hygiene regimen and always talk to your vet about any concerns over their oral health.

See also:

• Home Remedies for Bad Dog Breath: 10 Vet-Reviewed Natural Tips 
• How Much Does Dog Teeth Cleaning Cost?

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Featured Image Credit: DegrooteStock, Shutterstock