We all understand that maintaining oral hygiene is essential, but what about our canine companions? Well, it’s no surprise that dogs require dental care, too, and dental chews are an excellent way to promote your pup’s oral health.
Dental treats help reduce tartar buildup and freshen breath while also standing in the way of more serious dental problems. However, as with any pet product on the market, your options are virtually endless, so getting advice from a professional is an absolute must.
With the help of our vet student, Soneye Toluwalase , Bored Panda compiled a list of the best dental chews to keep your pup’s oral health in check. We carefully examined leading dog products vetted by animal experts for different-sized breeds. Whether you have a heavy chewer with a strong jaw or a tiny miniature pup with a softer bite, with this guide, you’ll navigate your dog’s oral health like an expert.
Dental Chews for Small Dogs
The following products are the perfect choice for small dog breeds with a tendency towards dental issues such as plaque and tartar buildup. We’ve chosen these treats based on their effectiveness, smaller size for easy chewing, and high-quality ingredients tailored to dogs weighing 22 pounds or less.
Main Ingredients: Wheat flour, wheat gluten, glycerin, gelatin, oat fiber | Calories: 26 per chew | Age: Adult | Nutrition: Crude protein 30.0% min, crude fat 5.5% min, crude fiber 6.0% max, moisture 15.0% max Greenies Original Teenie Natural Dental Care Dog Treats is a perfect dental treat for small canines. Made with natural ingredients, this dog treat provides your pet with clean teeth while supporting oral health. The Greenies chew has a unique texture that cleanses the gumline and fights plaque and tartar buildup. It also helps freshen your dog’s breath so that you can enjoy all the doggy kisses without the doggy breath. What We Like: • Formulated with essential vitamins and mineral • Has a texture that removes plaque and tartar from the gums • Helps freshen your dog’s breath • The perfect dental treat for extra small breeds • VOHC recommended • Available in different counts and sizes What We Don’t Like: • This dog treat is a bit pricey
Main Ingredients: Rice flour, wheat starch, glycerine, gelatin, gum arabic | Calories: 21 per chew | Age: Adult | Nutrition: 8.0% min protein, 1.0% min fat, 4.5% max crude fiber, 18.0% max moisture Pedigree DENTASTIX is a triple-action treat that small dog owners worldwide adore. It is designed to reduce tartar buildup, clean teeth, and freshen breath, making it the perfect choice for your undersized furry friend. These mini treats are easy for your dog to handle and enjoy. Their unique X shape is designed to reach hard-to-get areas that regular brushing may miss. DENTASTIX is ideal for toys and small breeds weighing 5 to 20 pounds. What We Like: • Unique X-shape design • Available in up to 4 flavors • Clinically proven to combat dental disease • Reduces tartar buildup • Fresh mint flavor What We Don’t Like: • Questionable ingredients
Main Ingredients: Rice, glycerin, wheat flour, sodium tripolyphosphate, malted barley flour | Calories: 63 per chew | Age: Adult | Nutrition: 6.0% min protein, 2.0% min fat, 1.5% max crude fiber, 15.0% max moisture Purina Dentalife Daily Oral Care Treats are an excellent solution for small dogs struggling with dental problems. These treats have a unique porous texture with thousands of air pockets, guaranteeing a 57% average reduction in tartar buildup and thorough cleaning of your dog’s teeth right down to the gum line. Moreover, these chews have a delicious chicken flavor that even the pickiest dogs can’t resist. So, if your small dog has been experiencing stubborn plaque issues, try giving your pup Purina DentaLife. What We Like: • Eight ridges that keep teeth clean • Helps to reduce plaque and tartar • No artificial colors and flavors • Delightful spongy texture What We Don’t Like: • May be too big for extra small dog breeds • Contains low-quality meat sources
Main Ingredients: Wheat flour, glycerin, wheat gluten, gelatin | Calories: 26 per chew | Age Range: Adult | Nutrition: 30% min protein, 5.5% min fat, 8% max crude fiber, 6% max moisture Greenies Original is a high-quality treat recommended by veterinarians for medium-sized dogs. These dental chews are enriched with essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to support your dog’s overall health. The chewy texture also helps clean teeth, promote gum health, and freshen breath. These treats come in various flavors, such as chicken, mint, blueberry, and more, so there is an option to suit every dog’s preference. With Greenies Regular Dental Dog Treats, you can be confident that your pet is getting enjoyable and effective dental care. What We Like: • Variety of flavors • Made with highly soluble ingredients • Approved by the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) for at-home oral health care • It can be used several times a week What We Don’t Like: • Some pet owners have reported their pup having an allergic reaction to this treat
Main Ingredients: Beef rawhide, dextrose, poultry digest, maltodextrins, hydrolyzed vegetable protein | Calories: Petite — 27 calories, medium — 31 calories, large — 65 calories, Extra-large — 89 calories | Age Range: Adult | Nutrition: 75% min protein, 1% min fat, 3.5% min crude fiber, 18% min moisture When it comes to keeping your dog’s teeth clean on days when brushing isn’t possible, Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews for dogs is the perfect solution. These chews use a dual enzyme system that combines beef rawhide’s natural antiseptic property and abrasive action to loosen tartar. Virbac’s dental chews are a smart and safe option for meeting your dog’s oral hygiene needs, and vets trust them. What We Like: • The poultry flavor is delicious • Enzymes and abrasive texture help to remove tartar • High in protein What We Don’t Like: • Some dogs don’t do well with rawhide
Main Ingredients: Potato flour, coconut glycerin, chicken, powdered cellulose | Calories: 119 per chew | Age Range: Adult | Nutrition: 12% min protein, 1% min fat, 10% min crude fiber, 20% min moisture Wags Dental Chews are uniquely textured treats designed for larger dogs weighing between 50 and 100 pounds. They are produced without genetically modified ingredients and are free from added grain, corn, wheat, artificial colors, and flavors, providing your pet with a wholesome snack. These chews are made in Minnesota by a family-owned facility and come in non-BPA packaging. This ensures that carcinogenic chemicals don’t leach into the treats, particularly when exposed to heat or moisture. What We Like: • Perfect for dogs with allergies • No artificial colors and flavors What We Don’t Like: • Some pet owners dislike its strong scent
Main ingredients: Rice flour, wheat starch, glycerin, chicken, gelatin | Calories: 83 per chew | Age: Adult | Nutrition: 8% min protein, 1% min fat, 4,5% max crude fiber, 18% max moisture Pedigree DENTASTIX Original Dog Treats have a triple-action formula to promote dental hygiene for large-breed dogs. These large sticks are perfect for dogs over 30 pounds and have a characteristic “X” shape that easily scrapes away plaque and tartar in hard-to-reach areas. The chews are available in three delicious flavors: beef, chicken, and bacon, so there’s always something to please every dog’s palate. What We Like: • The “X” shape is really effective at cleaning your dog’s teeth • Works by triple action — reduces tartar buildup, cleans teeth, and freshens breath • No artificial flavors and colors • Available in several flavors What We Don’t Like: • Doesn’t have the VOHC Seal of Acceptance
Main Ingredients: Rawhide, chicken, rice, sugar, calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate | Calories: 30 per chew | Age: All life stages | Nutrition: 50% min protein, 0.3% min fat, 2% min crude fiber, 14% min moisture Dingo Dental Sticks Tartar Control Dog Treats are stick-shaped treats that are easy to chew and have been proven to reduce tartar buildup and remove plaque. These treats feature an innovative formula containing baking soda, chlorophyll, and parsley seed, which also freshen your dog’s breath. Dingo chews are perfect for dogs of all ages who love chewing but prefer softer treats. The sticks are made with real chicken in the middle, providing a delicious flavor that will leave your furry friend wanting more. What We Like: • Made with real chicken • A combination of high-quality rawhide and chicken jerky • Added parsley really freshens your dog’s breath What We Don’t Like: • May cause diarrhea in some pets
Main ingredients: Corn starch, glycerin, soy protein isolate, rice flour, brewers dried yeast | Calories: Extra small — 23 calories, small — 48 calories, medium — 75 calories, large: 105 calories | Age: Adult | Nutrition: 17% min protein, 0.4% min fat, 2% min crude fiber, 15% min moisture Virbac’s C.E.T. VeggieDent Fr3sh Tartar Control is a vegetarian pet chew with a patented Z-shape design that improves chewing and makes it easier for dogs to hold. These chews contain prebiotics that promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and are an ideal choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs. What We Like: • “Z” shape for improved chewing experience • Free from animal protein and wheat gluten • Has four versions for dogs of different sizes What We Don’t Like: • Low in fiber • May cause diarrhea in some dogs
Main Ingredients: Pork protein, wheat, and soy | Calories: 26.8 per chew | Age: All life stages | Nutrition: 46.41% min protein, 2.55% min fat, 0.69% max crude fiber, 13.98% max moisture OraVet Hygiene Dental Chews are a great way to keep your dog’s oral hygiene in check. These treats are clinically proven to prevent plaque and tartar buildup while reducing bad breath. Made with delmopinol, a common ingredient in human dental rinses, they create a protective barrier that keeps harmful bacteria at bay. OraVet treats are attractive green rectangular shapes and are available in various sizes. They are VOHC-approved, making them an excellent choice for households with multiple dogs. What We Like: • Formulated with delmopinol • Each chew comes individually wrapped • VOHC approved to remove and prevent tartar • Available for four different dog sizes • Forms a barrier that inhibits bacterial attachment What We Don’t Like: • Causes diarrhea in some dogs
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