Did you know that over 80% of dogs over the age of three have gum disease? More than just bad breath and stained teeth, gum disease can severely impact a dog’s quality of life – causing pain and tooth loss, and making it hard to eat and play!
While you can’t prevent it all of the time, you can significantly reduce the risk of your dog getting gum disease by keeping up good hygiene habits, just like you do for yourself! After all, it’s just the result of plaque build-up, and there are plenty of ways to prevent it.
Of course, you can go down the traditional route, but brushing their teeth isn’t always doable and can be pretty stressful for dogs. Thankfully, there are tons of alternatives out there, from teeth cleaning supplements to water additives, and the easiest of all – dental chews!
To help you out, we’ve made a list of the best dog dental chews for plaque control, gum health, and fresh breath on the market. Let’s get into it!
Top Picks
- Best Vet-Recommended – OraVet Dental Hygiene Chews
- Best For Sensitive Stomachs – Wiggles & Wags Pumpkin Dog Dental Chews
- Best For Boredom Busting – WHIMZEES Wellness Daily Brushzees
- Best For Picky Eaters – Blue Buffalo Chicken & Spearmint Dental Chews
- Best For Small Dogs – Jinx Small Dental Chews
- Best Grain-Free – Shameless Pets Dental Treats For Dogs
- Best For Allergies – Virbac CET Veggiedent
- Best For Bad Breath – Minties Dental Chews For Dogs
- Best Budget Pick – Greenies Original Regular Dental Dog Treats
Best Vet-Recommended: OraVet Dental Hygiene Chews
If you want something clinically approved, the OraVet Dental Hygiene Chews are our top pick. They’re the number one dental chews recommended by vets, proven to not just fight, but prevent plaque and tartar build-up.
Key features:
- #1 Vet-recommended dental chews
- Perfect once-a-day treats
- Extra-small, small, medium, and large sizes
- 14 or 30 individually wrapped chews
- Clinically proven dual-action formula
- Prevents plaque and tartar build-up
- Chewy texture scrubs existing plaque
- Delmopino forms a protective barrier
- Tasty and easy to digest
- Made in the USA
What we like: Using a dual-action formula, the chewy texture scrubs away at existing plaque, whilst the delmopino, a plaque-fighting compound that’s been used in human oral-care products for years, creates a protective barrier to prevent it from forming.
It also stops the bad bacteria that cause bad breath from hanging around your dog’s mouth.
They’re perfect once-a-day treats, with an easily digestible formula and a flavor dogs love. They also come in four sizes, with individually wrapped chews for a longer-lasting shelf life.
What to consider: They’re a little pricey, but you can save 35% if you order them with auto-ship!
OraVet Dental Hygiene Chews are the only dental chews that contain the ingredient delmopinol, used in human oral care rinse. Delmopinol coats the teeth, creating a barrier against the bacteria that lead to the formation of plaque, tartar, and bad breath. A daily, dental home-care routine with vet-recommended OraVet, along with regular veterinary dental checkups promote good oral health which is an important component of your dog's overall well-being and health.
Best For Sensitive Stomachs: Wiggles & Wags Pumpkin Dog Dental Chews
If you’re worried about your dog’s sensitive tummy, they’re in safe hands with the Wiggles & Wags Pumpkin Dog Dental Chews.
Key features:
- Pumpkin and cinnamon-flavored treats
- Extra-small, small, medium, and large sizes
- Ridged texture cleans teeth
- Antimicrobial cinnamon freshens breath
- Gut-nourishing pumpkin
- High-fiber rice flour
- Low-calorie and easy-to-digest
- Various bag sizes available
What we like: With gut-nourishing pumpkin, high-fiber rice flour, and sweet cinnamon, they’re low in calories and easy to digest for safe daily snacking. The ridged texture helps to clean your dog’s teeth as they chew, and cinnamon has powerful antimicrobial properties that fight bad breath.
What to consider: Avoid if your dog needs to eat grain-free!
Make treat time special for pup with the great flavor of Wiggles & Wags Dental Chews Dog Treats. These tasty dental treats feature the great flavor of pumpkin in each and every bite for a treat time option that will keep your pup coming back for more. Pure tail-wagging joy, one treat at a time. Only at PetSmart.
Best For Boredom Busting: WHIMZEES Wellness Daily Brushzees
For something that tackles boredom whilst taking care of your pup’s teeth and gives them a tasty snack to boot, the WHIMZEES Wellness Daily Brushzees are our top pick!
Key features:
- 56 treats per box
- Small, medium, and large sizes
- Three fun shapes, including a crocodile
- Only six all-natural ingredients
- Paw-grip and functional grooves
- Deep cleans and freshens breath
- Fights plaque and tartar build-up
- Twice as effective as competitors
- Three times longer-lasting
- Suitable for allergies and sensitive stomachs
- Grain-free and gluten-free
- No GMOs or artificial additives
What we like: They come in seriously fun variety boxes with over fifty treats in each one and three different shapes and colors. Each of the designs is made for perfect paw-grip and easy chewing, with functional grooves that reach deep between the teeth.
In fact, they’re twice as effective at fighting plaque and tartar as competitors, and three times longer-lasting for deeper cleans, according to independent studies.
They also help to freshen breath, and they’re ideal for daily treat-giving, even for allergy-prone pups and sensitive tummies. Each chew contains only six natural ingredients, with no gluten or grains, and they’re free from GMOs and artificial additives.
What to consider: Some picky pups may not be crazy about the subtle flavor.
Totally edible and easily digestible, these vegetarian and all-natural treats help to freshen breath and reduce buildup on your dog’s teeth. They’re free of gluten so it’s a great solution for dogs with sensitivities, and they’re made with just nine natural ingredients that have vitamins and antioxidants.
Best For Picky Eaters: Blue Buffalo Chicken & Spearmint Dental Chews
Blue Buffalo’s Chicken & Spearmint Dental Chews are our top pick for picky eaters, with a natural, delicious recipe including real, high-quality chicken and breath-freshening spearmint.
Key features:
- Chicken and spearmint flavor
- Mini, small, regular, and large sizes
- Formulated with vet guidance
- Natural, healthy, and wholesome
- Real, high-quality chicken
- Spearmint freshens breath
- Unique shape with fifty ridges and grooves
- Scrapes plaque and prevents tartar build-up
- No by-products, wheat, soy, or artificial additives
- Made in the USA
What we like: The yummy recipe was formulated alongside vets for healthy, wholesome goodness you can trust, with a unique shape that promotes healthy teeth and gums. Each chew has fifty different ridges and grooves that scrape plaque and prevent tartar buildup, and they come in mini, small, regular, and large.
What to consider: Avoid if your dog has poultry allergies!
Formulated with veterinary guidance, this natural dog treat offers a three–in–one clean. As your dog chews, 50 unique ridges and grooves support plaque and tartar control, spearmint flavor freshens breath, and a special shape promotes healthy teeth and gums. BLUE Dental Chews are made with the chicken dogs love.
Best For Small Dogs: Jinx Small Dental Chews
Our top pick for small mouths is Jinx Small Dental Chews.
Key features:
- Small chews for dogs between 10-25 lbs
- Expertly formulated by food scientists
- Cleanest formula on the market
- Real chicken is the #1 ingredient
- Fibrous sweet potato and yummy honey
- Peppermint oil promotes fresh breath
- Texture fights tartar and plaque build-up
- No corn, wheat, soy, or by-products
- Free from fillers and preservatives
- Suitable for puppies, adults, and seniors
- Safe for pregnant and nursing dogs
- Made in the USA with a money-back guarantee
- 1% of every buy goes to a non-profit
What we like: Expertly formulated by food scientists with quality nutrition and a tiny list of healthy, trustworthy ingredients, they’re safe for all small breeds between 10-25 lbs, including puppies, seniors, and even pregnant and nursing dogs.
Featuring the cleanest formula of its kind on the market, real chicken is the number one ingredient, with fiber-rich sweet potato, breath-freshening peppermint oil, and delicious, sweet honey. The texture naturally fights plaque and tartar build-up, and it’s free from any bad stuff, like wheat, soy, and fillers.
What to consider: The big bags are a little on the expensive side, but they come with a money-back guarantee if you don’t see a difference in your dog’s oral health. Plus, 1% of every buy goes to an animal non-profit of your choosing at checkout, at no extra cost to you!
These bone-shaped chews have deep grooves and contain carefully selected ingredients that help fight tartar and plaque build-up. They are also made with real chicken first, delivering the whisker-licking taste that dogs love. Plus, these Dental Dog treats contain limited ingredients.
Best Grain-Free: Shameless Pets Dental Treats For Dogs
The Shameless Pets Dental Treats For Dogs is our top pick for pups with grain-free diets, with three thoughtful recipes to choose from: blueberry, banana, and chicken.
Key features:
- Blueberry, banana, and chicken flavors
- Grain-free formulas for health support
- Certified upcycled ingredients
- Ridged texture cleans teeth
- Mint for fresh breath
- Made for dogs of all sizes
- Sustainably made in the USA
What we like: Each flavor is made with a specific health benefit in mind; the blueberry flavor contains upcycled, antioxidant-rich blueberries for immune system support, whilst the chicken flavor contains upcycled chicken with sunflower seeds and parsley for healthy digestion.
The banana flavor contains upcycled bananas and bone broth to support hips and joints, and all of them are made with mint for fresh breath. They also all have a ridged texture that cleans teeth as your dog chews, and they’re sustainably made in the USA to be suitable for dogs of all sizes.
What to consider: They can be a bit messy for dogs to eat, but if you don’t mind that… Bon appétit!
These treats are specifically designed to help promote a fur-esh breath. They’re made in the USA with blueberries, chia seeds, and a taste of mint for a drool-worthy flavor. You can feel good about giving your pooch a treat that not only tastes delectable, but also contains no grain, corn, soy, or artificial colors and preservatives.
Best For Allergies: Virbac CET Veggiedent
If you need something non-allergenic or plant-based for your allergy-prone pup, we recommend the VOHC-approved Virbac CET Veggiedent chews!
Key features:
- Vegetable flavor daily chews
- Extra small, small, medium, and large sizes
- Scientifically proven to reduce plaque and tartar
- Plant-based and hypoallergenic
- Three-way performance
- Z-shaped to clean teeth
- FR3Sh-techonology freshens breath
- Prebiotics support good gut health
- Non-GMO corn for easy digestion
- No artificial additives
- Award-winning and VOHC-approved
What we like: As mentioned above, the original veggie flavor is 100% plant-based, with high-quality ingredients like non-GMO corn for easy digestion.
It’s scientifically proven to reduce plaque and tartar in dogs, with a Z-shaped design that scrapes and cleans their teeth, plus breath-freshening ingredients and added prebiotics for award-winning three-way performance.
What to consider: If your dog can tolerate animal proteins, they also sell other flavors, including poultry, beef, and seafood!
These plant-based chews help keep your dog's dental health in check by cleaning her gums and freshening her breath all while promoting a balanced digestive system! They are crafted with a chewy consistency to help eliminate plaque and tartar, and they are designed with a Z-shape, so your dog can get a better grip while chewing to her heart’s content.
Best For Bad Breath: Minties Dental Chews For Dogs
Minties’ Dental Chews For Dogs are our top pick for bad breath, with five natural breath fresheners, including alfalfa and peppermint.
Key features:
- Mint flavored and bone-shaped
- Vet-recommended formula
- Small, medium, and large sizes
- Five natural breath fresheners
- Scrubbing texture fights plaque and tartar
- Easy to digest
- No wheat, corn, or soy
- Comes in five bag sizes
- Made in the USA
What we like: The bone-shaped minty-fresh chews have a unique scrubbing texture that fights plaque and tartar as your dog eats, with five natural breath-freshening ingredients including parsley, fennel, and fill. The vet-recommended formula is gluten-free and easy to digest, and it comes in three sizes and five bag sizes for different homes.
What to consider: Not all dogs like mint!
Minties are crafted with five natural breath fresheners—peppermint, parsley, fennel, dill, and alfalfa. Plus, they’re made without corn, wheat, soy, and added sugars or salts, so they are extra gentle on sensitive tummies. Their unique shape and bumpy texture help to scrub teeth as your furry friend chews.
Best Budget Pick: Greenies Original Regular Dental Dog Treats
Greenies’ Original Regular Dental Dog Treats are our best budget-friendly pick.
Key features:
- Natural and balanced for adult dogs
- Unique texture deep cleans
- Reduces tartar by 60%
- Reduces plaque by 32%
- Freshens breath
- Added vitamins and minerals
- Easy-to-digest ingredients
- Accepted by the VOHC
- Made in the USA
What we like: The unique texture cleans right down to the gumline as your dog chews, with a natural, easy-to-digest formula that’s perfectly balanced for most adult dogs. They’re proven to freshen breath and reduce plaque and tartar accumulation by 32% and 60%, respectively, with added vitamins and minerals for a bonus boost of nutrition!
There are a bunch of different-sized packs to choose from, all made in the USA, and they’re approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council – so you know they work!
What to consider: They’re unsuitable for miniature breeds, young puppies, and dogs with wheat allergies!
These dog dental treats are designed to support four key areas of your pup’s oral health: plaque, tartar, gums, and breath. The special design works like a toothbrush to clean down to the gumline and help fight plaque and tartar. They’re made with natural ingredients plus added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your dog’s teeth clean is more important than you think! But it doesn’t have to be a struggle, and with these yummy dental chews, it’s easier than ever. Not only do our top picks keep your dog’s smile looking good, but more importantly, they keep their gums healthy.
Let us know what you think in the comments down below, and don’t forget to check out our other best-of lists to stay in-the-know about life-enhancing stuff for your dog.