The Best Dog Dental Treats
You want to keep your dog healthy and happy. But, you know that sometimes their teeth might not get enough attention. If you're looking for a simple way to help reduce tartar build-up, a dog dental treat can be a great option. As your dog chews on these special treats, they can help clean the surface of your dog's teeth. While dental treats aren't a substitute for professional dental care, they can help keep your dog's mouth fresh between visits. To help you select the best dental treat, we present our reviews of a few of our favorites. Please note that these come in a variety of sizes, so make sure you pick the one that's appropriate for your dog.
Greenies Original Teenie Natural Dental Dog Treats
Fresher breath, happier dog
Give your dog one of these treats each day to help keep their mouth fresh and clean. They have a unique, flexible texture that helps them last longer. That way your dog will chew on them instead of merely biting through and eating in a few gulps. As your dog chews, these treats are thought to help reduce plaque and tartar build-up. Additionally, they contain vitamins and minerals, so they’re a great way to keep your dog healthy.
These dog dental treats are made from natural ingredients. They’re easy to digest, so they’re gentle on your dog’s stomach. Our dogs loved the flavor, but we know that preferences vary greatly so they may not be enjoyed by every dog out there. We appreciate that these are accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) and have been recommended by many dentists.
Pros:
- You only need to give your dog one of these a day to help keep their teeth clean.
- These are flexible, so they don’t snap when your dog first bites them.
Cons:
- These treats don’t do a great job improving doggy breath.
Pedigree Dentastix Fresh Treats
Shaped for scraping
These mint-flavored dog dental treats can help improve your dog’s breath as they gently clean its teeth. There are also other flavors available if your dog isn’t a fan of the mint. They have a unique x-shape that many dogs enjoy chewing on. As they chew on the treat, the sides help to scrape the teeth.
For maximum benefit, you’ll want to give your dog one treat a day. They are just over two inches long. If Spot is an aggressive chewer, he probably won’t take long to break through and devour these. But, they will last a little while for other dogs.
Pros:
- These feature a unique X-shape that rubs on the surface of your dog’s teeth while he chews.
- You can buy a package with a bulk amount, so you won’t have to buy them as often.
Cons:
- These don’t take a long time to chew, especially if your dog is an aggressive chewer.
Greenies Grain-Free Natural Dental Dog Treats
Go against the grain
Not all dogs can tolerate grain products in their food or treats. If your dog needs a grain-free diet, you can use these specially formulated dog dental treats to help keep their teeth clean. They’re made from natural ingredients and include dried potatoes and pea flour. There are also added vitamins and minerals to help support your dog’s overall health. These treats are bendable, so they will last your dog a little longer. They’ve got the same toothbrush shape as the original Greenies.
Pros:
- These are made from natural ingredients that you won’t feel bad giving your pup.
- They have a tough, dense consistency that takes a little longer to chew, enhancing their cleaning quality.
Cons:
- They’re a little pricier than other dog dental chews, but remember that these are grain-free.
Blue Buffalo Dental Bones Dog Treats
Forget the artificial colors
If you prefer to keep corn out of your dog’s diet, these are a good option. In addition to being corn-free, these dog dental treats also contain no wheat, chicken by-products, artificial coloring, or soy. They get their color from dehydrated beets instead of red dye 40. They have an easy-to-read ingredient list so you can know exactly what’s inside.
These treats contain parsley to help keep your dog’s breath fresh. Their shape and texture help to encourage chewing, so your dog’s teeth have the chance to get clean.
Pros:
- These are chicken-free, which is helpful for dogs with a poultry allergy.
- They also include parsley included helping keep your dog’s breath extra fresh.
Cons:
- The number of treats per bag varies greatly by the size of treat you select, so make sure to read the details.
Oravet Dental Hygiene Chews for Dogs
Delmopinol for protection
These dog dental treats help to fight bad breath and are thought to reduce plaque and calculus. They contain delmopinol, a compound approved by the FDA to help treat gingivitis. This ingredient helps to create a protective barrier on your dog’s teeth that helps keep their teeth clean. The treats are highly digestible.
Each treat in the package is individually wrapped, so they’re convenient to just bring a couple along for a short trip. However, since they are each wrapped, it will take a little longer to treat your dog than if you just pulled one out of a bulk package.
Pros:
- These contain delmopinol to help prevent future build-up on your dog’s teeth.
- They’re individually wrapped so they stay fresh for your dog.
Cons:
- You have to open each one, which takes some time and creates extra garbage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dog dental treats safe?
You will want to check with your vet, who will be familiar with your dog, and any restrictions you should be aware of. However, dog dental treats are generally considered safe for once-a-day treating. Since choking is a risk with any treat, you will want to supervise your dog closely. If they gulp these treats instead of chew on them, you might want to consider an alternative. It’s also important to always have fresh water available for your dog, especially when they have a dental chew.
Can dog dental treats really help freshen my dog’s breath?
Some dental treats help keep your dog’s breath fresh. Others work better on reducing plaque, but don’t do much for doggy breath. If you’re trying to find one that helps with bad breath, you may need to try a couple of brands to see which one works best for your dog. Some have mint or parsley as an added ingredient, both of which help to keep the breath smelling better.
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