Best Dog Dental Chew

Best Dog Dental Chew
Profile photo of Tara Lynn

Author: Tara Lynn

Last Updated: January 05, 2023

We purchased several of the most popular brands of dental chew for testing. Dog’s oral hygiene is very important. Keeping on top of dental health means your dog should need fewer visits at the vet’s office, experience less tooth pain, and not need to have teeth pulled. Not all dental chews are effective, however, and some can even be dangerous for your dog.

Our top choice for the best dog dental chew is V-Dog Breathbones. Watch the above video and read below the full details of our testing of these popular Dog Dental Chews.

Best Products Best Dog Dental Chew

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Best Overall
V-Dog Breath Bones
V-Dog Breath Bones Best Overall
$12
on v-dog
9.3/10
  • What we Like
  • Vegan chews designed to help get rid of your pup’s stinky breath.
  • Features human-grade ingredients like sweet potato, chia seed and broccoli.
  • Contains parsley to help reduce inflammation and improve your paw-tner’s dental health.
  • Made in the USA with no corn, soy or wheat.
  • Provides your furry friend with the power of plants.
  • Vegan, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Sensitive Digestion, Vegetarian, Rawhide-Free
  • What we Dislike
  • Can stick to a dog’s mouth
Product Details
Sizes Mini
Regular
Type Edible chew
Top 5 Ingredients Brown Rice Flour
Rice Flour
Vegetable Glycerin
Water
Tapioca Starch
Source USA
Our Review

V-Dog Breathbones is made in the USA with no corn, soy or wheat. These chews are designed to help get rid of your dog’s stinky breath, leaving behind clean breath with a hint of cinnamon. It pretty much contains all natural ingredients like sweet potato, chia seeds and broccoli. To be honest these V-Dog Breathbones smells like something even we would want to eat! They smell absolutely delicious! We also love this because they’re pretty thick, so the dogs have to work to eat these. It’s not just like a quick snack for them. The best thing about these chews are that it contains parsley to help reduce inflammation and improve your dog’s dental health. But keep an eye on your pup when they’re eating them!
As with any bone, they do break off into smaller pieces so you’ll wanna be close by just in case. Other than that, we definitely recommend this. It might be a little more pricey than the average brand but they’re worth it and healthy!

Best for Multiple Dogs
Greenies Original Dental Dog Chews
Greenies Original Dental Dog Chews Best for Multiple Dogs
$34
on greenies
8.1/10
  • What we Like
  • Contains one (1) 6 oz. 6-count pack of GREENIES Original Regular Size Natural Dental Dog Treats; Natural Dog Treats Plus Vitamins, Minerals and Other Nutrients for medium dogs
  • The unique texture of GREENIES Dog Chews cleans down to the gumline to fight plaque and tartar and freshen breath
  • GREENIES Treats for Dogs are veterinarian recommended and accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) for at-home oral care
  • Treat your dog deliciously with the great taste of GREENIES Original Dental Treats
  • GREENIES Dog Treats are proudly made in our Kansas City, MO, USA facility with the world’s finest ingredients
  • What we Dislike
  • Lots of Ingredients
  • Choking Hazard
  • Can cause digestive issues
  • Gluten
Product Details
Sizes Teenie
Petite
Regular
Large
Type Edible chew
Top 5 Ingredients Wheat Flour
Glycerin
Wheat Gluten
Gelatin
Water
Source USA
Our Review

Greenies Original Dental Chews for Dogs are made with natural, easy-to-digest ingredients and are nutritionally complete. We love that these treats are veterinarian recommended and accepted by the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council). Just keep in mind that it’s always best to supervise your pets when they’re eating treats like these as they can be a potential choking hazard for some dogs that swallow large chunks instead of chewing thoroughly. The great thing is that the unique texture of Greenies Dog Chews cleans down to the gumline to fight plaque and tartar and freshen bad dog breath. So far we noticed that these treats help keep plaque from forming on our little fur ball’s teeth and have immensely helped her breath. We appreciate being able to give our dogs dental treats that they can enjoy so much. Our overall take on this is that, there is nothing to dislike about Greenies. We would recommend this treat as a part of your dogs daily dental health routine.

Best Toothpaste Style
Ark Naturals Brushless Toothpaste
Ark Naturals Brushless Toothpaste Best Toothpaste Style
$8
on arknaturals
7.7/10
  • What we Like
  • 4-in-1 NATURAL DOG DENTAL CHEW: Contains (1) 12oz bag of Ark Naturals Brushless Toothpaste for Small Breeds. Designed to abrasively clean teeth, mechanically help reduce plaque and tartar buildup, and freshen breath.
  • HELPS FIGHT PLAQUE & TARTAR AND FRESHENS BREATH: Outside ridges abrasively clean teeth, help reduce stains, and polish teeth while toothpaste center helps fight plaque, tartar, and bacteria causing bad breath with natural ingredients such as alfalfa, cinnamon, vanilla, and clove.
  • BRUSH TWO TIMES A DAY: For best results, we recommend a tooth-brushing regimen of two Brushless chews per day. For even longer lasting effectiveness, try combining with Brushless Plaque-Zapper.
  • VET RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL BREED DOGS: Our vet recommended dental chew is specifically formulated for small breed dogs, 12 weeks and older, between the weight of 8-20 pounds.
  • CAREFULLY CRAFTED IN THE USA: Our recipe is formulated with natural, high quality ingredients that are corn free, soy free, wheat free, and have no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
  • What we Dislike
  • Not suitable for dogs under 4 months
  • Not effective on all dogs
  • Digestive issues
  • For small breed dogs under 8 lbs
Product Details
Sizes Mini
Small
Medium
Large
Type Edible chew
Top 5 Ingredients Long Grain Rice
Honey
Clove
Vanilla
Cinnamon
Source USA
Our Review

Ark Naturals Brushless Toothpaste is carefully crafted in the USA. It’s a 4-in-1 natural dog dental chew that is formulated with natural, high quality ingredients that are corn free, soy free, wheat free, and have no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. It’s designed to abrasively clean teeth, mechanically help reduce plaque and tartar buildup, and freshen breath. They smell good, have natural ingredients, and our little fur babies seem to think they’re tasty! We do recommend these treats to every dog owner we know. These treats work and they work well! These have been a life saver! We are sold!

Best on Budget
Pedigree DENTASTIX Treats
Pedigree DENTASTIX Treats Best on Budget
$21
on pedigree
6.9/10
  • What we Like
  • Contains one (1) 2.73 lb 51-count pack of Pedigree dentastix Large Treats for Dogs Variety Pack which contains three pouches: (1) 15.6 oz Original (18 Treats); (1) 13 oz Fresh (15 Treats); (1) 15.6 oz Beef Flavor (18 Treats)
  • PEDIGREE DENTASTIX: Triple Action acts as a dog breath freshener that works to clean teeth and freshen breath, and has a clinically proven texture that reduces plaque and tartar buildup
  • Our dental treat sticks have a unique X-shape design and are specially designed for adult large breed dogs, weighing over 30 lbs.
  • Feed 1 Pedigree Dentastix Oral Care Treat every day for maximum benefits to oral hygiene
  • Pedigree dentastix Dental Chews feature an original flavor with real chicken, fresh mint flavor, and beef flavored dental treats that large dogs love
  • What we Dislike
  • Can cause digestive problems
  • Texture too soft
  • Not effective at cleaning teeth
  • Many ingredients
  • Not all natural
Product Details
Sizes Toy
Medium
Large
Type Edible chew
Top 5 Ingredients Rice Flour
Wheat Starch
Glycerin
Gelatin
Gum Arabic
Source USA and Canada
Our Review

Pedigree DENTASTIX Treats has Triple Action that acts as a dog breath freshener which works to clean teeth and freshen breath, and has a clinically proven texture that reduces plaque and tartar buildup. These dental chews feature an original flavor with real chicken, fresh mint flavor, and beef flavored dental treats that large dogs are sure to love! It has a unique X-shape design and are specially designed for adult large breed dogs, weighing over 30 lbs. They also have a rubbery sound when our dogs chew, but they’re awesome for cleaning teeth. Our dogs loves the taste of all of the flavors and the best thing about these treats is that it has a couple of added vitamins included in it’s ingredients. Overall, we recommend this because it’s a great value for the amount you get, flavors you get and overall price. Our dogs get a treat AND dental care! Win-win!

Best Products Best Dog Dental Chew
Product Name Best for Rate
V-Dog Breath Bones Best Overall 9.3
Greenies Original Dental Dog Chews Best for Multiple Dogs 8.1
Ark Naturals Brushless Toothpaste Best Toothpaste Style 7.7
Pedigree DENTASTIX Treats Best on Budget 6.9

Conclusion

The best dental chew is one that effectively cleans your dog’s teeth without causing any adverse reactions. Non-edible chews, even if well made, can cause serious health problems if even small pieces are swallowed since they are not meant to be ingested. Because of this, edible chews, in my opinion, are the better choice when selecting a dog dental chew product. The best edible chews must have a hard exterior for removing plaque, natural ingredients for easy digestion, and be durable enough to not be swallowed too easily. Through my research of these products and after reviewing many customer testimonials, I believe that ProDen PlaqueOff Dental Bones meet all these requirements best, and is my top pick for the best dog dental chew on the market today.

Buyers Guide

Who should use dental chews?

Dental chews are a great tool for dogs of all shapes and sizes. These products are not only useful for dogs who have plaque and tartar buildup already present on the teeth but also serve as important preventive care products for younger dogs to maintain healthy teeth and prevent dental problems before they occur. They should not, however, be given to puppies younger than 6 months, as their teeth are not strong enough to manage them safely. Always read the instructions and warning labels of any product to make sure it is appropriate for your dog.

What To Look For:

There are several important factors to consider when deciding which dental chew product to purchase for your dog.

These include:

  • Type– Dental chews come in two basic types: edible and non-edible. Edible chews are those that are meant for a dog to consume while non-edible chews are made from material that is not meant to be ingested. Which type to choose depends on what kind of product you are looking for. Edible chews, no matter how long it takes your dog to eat, will need to be given frequently and require continual purchases. Non-edible chews are designed to last for multiple play sessions and can be reused until they are no longer functional. Whichever type you choose, always supervise your dog to ensure they enjoy them safely.
  • Ingredients/Material– It is very important to be aware of what your dental chew is made of. If choosing an edible chew, it is best to look for ones with few ingredients that are all natural, as this will give them the best chance of being easily digested by your dog. Natural chews that offer additional vitamins and minerals are even better since they will not only improve your dog’s oral hygiene but their overall health as well. Avoid edible chews with long lists of ingredients, especially those that contain artificial or harmful products such as V-dog Breath Bones which contain carrageenan, and Virbac Enzymatic Chews, which contain maltodextrins. If your dog has allergies to certain ingredients, look for products that are grain, gluten, corn, soy, and wheat-free, as these are ingredients that most often cause reactions in dogs with food sensitivities. For non-edible chews, look for products made with durable materials such as nylon and natural rubber and avoid those with plastic pieces as these can break and become choking hazards. No matter what the ingredients or material, always monitor your dog for any adverse reactions to a product or its ingredients.
  • Durability– In order for a dental chew to effectively clean your dog’s teeth, it must last long enough to thoroughly scrape away plaque as the dog is chewing. Durability is where many dog dental chews fall short, as the texture of many dental chews is not hard enough and the dog will simply gulp the product in a matter of seconds. While this clearly defeats the purpose of a dental chew, it also increases the risk of choking and digestive problems because the product is not chewed properly. Some products such as ProDen PlaqueOff and Missing Link have high durability and take a dog a while to finish, thus increasing the amount of plaque removed from the teeth and resulting in a thorough cleaning experience. Look for dental chews with a hard texture that will effectively scrub your dog’s teeth. Durability is also important for the safety of your dog. Edible chews that break apart easily pose choking risks as the broken pieces can be swallowed by your dog. Similarly, if a non-edible chew is easily broken by your dog, they can be swallowed, which can cause choking and blockages in the stomach. Look for dental chews that have high durability and avoid those that can be swallowed easily or that are easily torn apart.
  • Size– Dog dental chews come in a wide range of sizes that vary with each individual product. Most companies provide a sizing guide to help owners select the appropriately sized chew for their dog, which is usually determined by your dog’s weight. Choosing the correct size is important because an incorrect sized chew can be a danger to your dog. For instance, if a large dog swallows a small-sized chew, it can cause choking or digestive issues. Be sure to carefully read the sizing guide section of a product’s description, which can usually be found on the company’s webpage or on the product’s packaging. Although it is always best to select the size recommended for your dog’s weight, some owners will order a larger sized chew than is recommended for their dog, because they find the recommended size is eaten too quickly by the dog to provide a thorough cleaning of the teeth. Selecting a larger size than what is recommended for your dog is usually safe since the dog should not be able to swallow a larger sized chew, but it could cause difficulties if the chew is too large for a dog to effectively wrap its mouth around. It is best to choose the recommended size chew for your individual dog, as these chews will be specifically designed to provide the best and safest chewing experience for your dog.
  • Flavor– Of course, even the most effective dog dental chew will not work if your dog refuses to chew it! Many dental chews are offered in a variety of flavors to entice the dog and encourage chewing. If you know your dog loves a certain flavor, you will most likely be able to find a dental chew that offers it as a selection. Many dental chews are available in savory flavors such as bacon or duck and while most dogs love these meaty varieties, they can have a rather strong odor that is not as pleasant to owners as it is to dogs. Because dog dental chews are meant to improve oral hygiene, many owners choose to give their dogs mint flavored chews to achieve a more aromatic effect in both the dog’s breath and the smell of the chew itself. While these pleasant smelling chews may not be as appealing to some dogs as the bacon flavored varieties, their fresh scent is pleasing to owners and will better help to alleviate bad breath in dogs. No matter which flavor you select for your dog, it is best to choose a naturally flavored dental chew and avoid any that are artificially flavored. This is because artificial flavorings do not provide any health benefits and can cause digestive issues for your dog.
  • Safety– One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a dental chew is safety. Besides looking for natural ingredients to ensure easy digestibility, the dental chew you select should have a consistency that is easy for your dog to eat without difficulty. While it is important for a chew to have a hard texture, it should not be so hard that it cracks your dog’s tooth. It should also not be so soft that it sticks to your dog’s teeth like the Merrick chews, as this can cause a choking hazard. The ideal chew will be somewhere in between, hard enough to provide efficient cleaning but flexible enough to be chewed safely by your dog. Your dog’s size and age should be considered when selecting a dental chew, as the textures of some chews may not be suitable for dogs with small or weak teeth. In addition to texture, it is important to monitor the condition of chews over time, as some, such as Nylabone Power Chew and Busy Buddy Bristle Bone, form sharp points and edges after being chewed. No matter what type of chew you select, always supervise your dog when they are eating or playing with them to ensure they have a safe experience.