Dog dental chews can be a great way to supplement your dog’s oral hygiene routine. Look for VOHC-approved dental chews that taste good and are properly sized for your dog. Credit: Jae Thomas
Dog dental work is expensive, so it’s best to stay on top of your dog’s oral hygiene from the get-go to save yourself costly vet bills later. Along with regular brushing, the best dog dental chews are a great way to help keep your pup’s teeth healthy.
Dog dental chews are not a one-to-one replacement for dog toothbrushes, dog toothpastes, or other dog teeth cleaning products, but should instead be thought of as a complement to your pup’s dental routine.
Traits We Want in the Best Dog Dental Chews
VOHC-recommended: The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) is a governing body that tests and certifies the effectiveness of dog dental products. Though not all products on this list are VOHC-recommended, this is a good place to start with your research for the best dog dental chews. VOHC dog dental chews have been tested and approved for use in plaque and/or tartar in dogs.
Size options: The best dog dental chew for your dog will also depend on their size. Dental chews should be appropriate for your dog’s size so as not to become a choking hazard. Look for options that are the right size for your dog. Remember, even if you choose a dental chew appropriate for your dog’s size, always monitor them while they’re chewing.
Palatability: A dental chew can’t help clean your dog’s teeth if they don’t chew on it, so palatability is of the utmost importance. We tested each of the dental chews on this list with a variety of dogs (including picky ones) to see which ones will be the most well-received by your canine pals.
Whole Dog Journal RatingProduct and MakerPriceNotes
WHIMZEES by Wellness Brushzees Dental ChewsPrice varies by size, from $0.25 to $2.56 per chewWhimzees Brushzees feature natural ingredients, are VOHC-approved for both tartar and plaque, and took the longest for our super chewer tester dog to eat.
GreeniesPrice varies by size and flavor, from $0.29 to $1.10 per chewAvailable at most pet and grocery stores, Greenies are well-loved by most dogs and come in a wide variety of flavors and sizes. They’re also VOHC-approved for both plaque and tartar, though our tester dogs ate them significantly faster than the Whimzees of similar size.
OraVet Dental Hygiene ChewsPrice varies by size from $1.03 to $1.93 per chewOraVet chews are fantastic for bad breath, as they contain a compound called Delmopinal HCI, which is commonly used to treat plaque and gingivitis in humans, and helps prevent plaque from sticking to your dog’s teeth long term and turning into tartar.
Purina Pro Plan Ora Chews$1.14-$1.67 per chew based on amount purchasedThis vet-backed dental chew is ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs or for pups who are watching their weight. They’re low fat and low calorie, so they’re unlikely to upset your pup’s tummy. However, they only come in one size.
Woof Bite n’ Brush Dog Toothbrush Toy$20If you want to make dental chew time more enriching (and more effective) the Woof Bite n’ Brush toy holds a dog dental chew and gently rubs your dog’s teeth with rubber bristles while they work to eat the chew inside. It’s like letting your dog brush their own teeth.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Dental Chewz$11.49 per boxThe only rawhide VOHC-approved option, the Pro Plan Dental Chewz offer long-lasting chewing and enrichment for your dog, but they feature an artificial color in the ingredient list.
Best Dog Dental Chew for Plaque and Tartar: WHIMZEES by Wellness Brushzees Dental Chews
Long-lasting, palatable, and VOHC-approved, Whimzees Brushzees are our top choice for dog dental chews. Credit: Jae Thomas
The WHIMZEES by Wellness Brushzees Dental Chews are VOHC-approved for both tartar and plaque. This treat also has a shorter, friendlier ingredient list than some of the other options we tested, making it a good choice for pet parents who prefer simple, natural ingredients. They’re also vegetarian, so they’re safe for dogs with specific protein allergies or sensitivities.
The shape and texture of the Whimzees Brushzees seemed to encourage the longest chewing sessions for our tester dogs—even the super chewers. Where some dog dental chews encourage biting off and swallowing pieces, Whimzees genuinely get them to gnaw and chew. My super chewer Border Collie/American Staffordshire Terrier Mix took about 10 minutes to eat this chew, which was the longest of any chew on this list. The longer the chewing session, the more manual plaque removal happens on your dog’s teeth, so these are a great choice for pet parents looking to keep their pup’s teeth free of gunk.
Note that Whimzees come in a few different shapes (and come in a variety pack value box), but not all of the recipes are VOHC-approved, though the ingredient list is nearly identical across the different shapes.
Runner-up Best Dog Dental Chew: Greenies
Greenies: They’ve been beloved by dogs for ages. They’re approved for plaque and tartar buildup by the VOHC, are widely available, are reasonably priced, and come in a variety of sizes and flavor formulas—so you’re sure to find one your dog likes.
The classic Greenies (chicken flavor) are one of the most palatable options on this list: many dogs find them to be extremely high value. They also come in blueberry, sweet potato, and weight management formulas, alongside size options for dogs from 5 to 100 pounds.
Best Low-Calorie Dog Dental Chew: Purina Pro Plan OraChews
If your dog has a sensitive stomach or needs a low-calorie dental chew, Purina Pro Plan OraChews are a good option. Credit: Jae Thomas
If your dog has a specific diet, a sensitive stomach, a history of pancreatitis, or simply can’t tolerate treats high in calories or fat, the Purina Pro Plan OraChews are your best bet. These vet-backed chews are ideal for supporting your dog’s dental health without giving them too many calories or potentially upsetting their stomach.
These chews only come in one size, which may make them difficult to count calories for very small dogs. For dogs under 40 pounds, it’s recommended to break these chews in half, and give one whole chew over two days.
Best Dog Dental Chew for Bad Breath: OraVet Dental Hygiene Chews
OraVet Dental Hygiene Chews have an ingredient most other dog dental chews don’t: Delmopinal HCI. This compound is commonly used in human mouthwashes and is used to treat plaque and gingivitis. At a basic level, it keeps plaque from sticking to your dog’s teeth. Plaque turns into hardened tartar when left on your dog’s teeth, so these chews may help prevent tartar formation.
My vet regularly recommends OraVet Chews, and I use them for my dogs frequently. I notice that they leave my pup’s breath smelling fresher than other options, especially when used daily. The only downside of these dog dental chews is that they may turn some dogs’ poop a bluish/greenish color, and they seem to be less tasty to dogs than other options on this list.
Best Dog Dental Chew Toy: Woof Bite n’ Brush Dog Toothbrush Toy
The Woof Bite n’ Brush offers both enrichment and dental hygiene. Credit: Jae Thomas
If you’d like to add some mechanical cleaning to your dog’s dental hygiene plan that doesn’t include brushing with a toothbrush, the Woof Bite n’ Brush Dog Toothbrush Toy is a good option. This handy toy features spaces to insert Woof’s matching dog dental chews, and bristles that will manually scrub your dog’s teeth as they enjoy their chew. As an added bonus, it makes chew time last longer, making it ideal for pups who tend to inhale or swallow large chunks of their dental chews instead of chewing them into smaller pieces.
Other Dog Dental Chews We Tested:
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Dental Chewz
The only rawhide chew that’s been VOHC-approved for cleaning your dog’s teeth, the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Dental Chewz are a long-lasting dental chew option. Where other softer chews will be gone in a few minutes, the Pro Plan Dental Chewz offer your dog more enrichment and chewing time, which in turn will remove more tartar from their teeth mechanically. The main downside of these chews, however, is the ingredient list. It includes artificial color Yellow 5, which kept these chews from a spot on our best-of list.
