Last Updated: 05/06/2025
Best Dental Chews for Dogs
Looking for the best dental chew for your dog? Check out our Vet recommended products.
Author: Dr Samantha Wycherley BVSc
Reading Time: 28 minutes - medium read
Looking for a way to keep your beloved dog's teeth pearly white? Dental care is just as important for our furred friends as it is for us. Plaque build up and tartar formation can lead to smelly breath, gum disease and tooth pain.
There are a number of tools we can use to keep our pups' teeth clean and healthy (and the added bonus of fresh breath too). The tool that is sure to be your pup's favourite is a tasty dental chew. This guide is here to help you pick the best chew for your pet!
Four reasons why you should choose dental chews for your dog:
- They're safe: Chewing can have many benefits and dental health is one of them. Some people like to give their dog's bones to chew on however this does come with risks. Raw bones can carry harmful bacteria, break teeth, cause a foreign body obstruction in the intestines, lead to pancreatitis and more. A much safer option is a dental chew.
- They're tasty!: Dogs love any excuse for a treat - and dental chews have the added bonus of acting like a delicious snack for your pup to enjoy.
- They're fun!: Dental chews are designed to take a little while for your dog to eat - this helps to provide some enrichment in your dog's day.
- It's easy! : There are many tools in the dental care toolbox and some of these such as brushing your dog's teeth can require training and time. Giving a dental treat is such a simple and effective way to work on your pet's dental health every day.
How We Review Our Products
Our Pet Circle Vet Squad comprises 30 vets with over 120 years of collective, independent veterinary expertise. Our Vet team use their health and husbandry knowledge, along with their own personal and clinical experiences to evaluate each product and provide detailed, informative reviews, free of any commercial bias. We then collate this information into our 'best of' recommendations
Best Dental Chew For Dogs With Allergies
Veggident Fr3sh
Pros
- Good choice for dogs with allergies (free of animal protein and wheat gluten)
- Z shaped spiral design encourages chewing and helps remove plaque in hard to reach spots
- Low calorie content
- Come in 4 different sizes
- Approved by VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council)
Cons
- Priced slightly higher than some other dental chews
Veggiedent chews are tasty, plant based dental treats which are free of any animal protein and wheat gluten. This is very handy for dogs that are on a restricted diet due to food allergies - most food allergies are related to an animal protein.
The Veggiedent chews have a Z-shaped design which encourages cherwing and enables the chew to reach the hard to reach spots!
What our customers say: "My Miniature Pinscher has trouble digesting chicken and these are some of the only dental sticks that don't contain chicken. Making these a great hypoallergenic option!! Have bought many packets and will continue doing so!"
What our vets say: "These dental chews are a fantastic addition to your dog's dental care routine. VeggieDent FR3SH Dental Chews don't just help with preventing the formation of plaque and tartar, but its unique formula also helps to freshen breath. It also has prebiotic ingredients for a bit of a digestive boost, helping to address digestive causes of bad breath. The Z-design also promotes greater contact with the teeth, enabling the product to work its magic even further. It's also plant-based, low-calorie, and doesn't contain any animal proteins, making it a good choice for pets with certain health conditions." - Dr. Tony
Best Dental Chews For Dogs On A Diet
Prozym Chews
Pros
- Low calorie content
- Good for dogs with allergies
- Hexagonal shape to encourage maximum chewing activity to mechanically remove plaque from the teeth
- Infused with RF2, an ingredient which targets biofilm in your dog's mouth for reduced tartar formation
Cons
- Not VOHC approved
- Only two size options, may not suit heavy chewers or very large breeds
If you're trying to reduce your dog's weight but still want to be able to offer a dental chew then Prozym dental sticks are a great option. They are a low calorie option that are still highly palatable.
Prozym dental sticks are tasty chews that use a special ingredient called Rf2. This ingredient has activity against harmful biofilm in the mouth which therefore helps to decrease the risk of tartar formation and helps fight against bad breath!
Prozym chews are made in a star shape which encourages rubbing on the tooth in many different angles.
What our customers say: "My vet recommended these and my dog loves them. I think in terms of chews and dental chews, this one strikes the right balance. I have a 6 kilo chi-pom mix and it takes her about 10 minutes or so."
What our vets say: "I recommend as well as use Prozym Dental Sticks for my dogs. Not only are they palatable and a treat that my dogs enjoy, they are also low in fat. The unique star shape guarantees a longer chew time, helping to prevent plaque and tartar build up. They also contain a unique ingredient RF2 which helps eliminate biofilm cause by bacteria, and biofilm is the first stage of dental plaque, meaning they help to reduce bad doggy breath too!" - Dr. Angie
Best Dental Chews for Bad Breath
Oravet
Pros
- Shown to reduce bad breath, plaque and tartar
- Chewing helps to mechanically remove plaque from the teeth
- Contain Delmopinol, a unique ingredient to help prevent bacteria attaching to the teeth
- 4 different sizes available
- VOHC seal of acceptance
Cons
- May not be suitable for dogs with allergies (contains pork protein and wheat)
Oravet chews have been clinically proven to reduce bad breath in dogs - as well as reducing the buildup of plaque and tartar. In one study bad breath was shown to be reduced by 59% when having the Oravet chews compared with dogs getting only a dry diet.
Oravet chews contain a unique ingredient called Delmopinol which forms a barrier preventing bacteria from attaching to the teeth. These tasty chews have a chewy texture which makes them last longer - and they come in 4 sizes so are suitable for all breeds.
What our customers say: "My cavoodle literally begs for this treat every morning. He loves it and it keeps his breath fresh and I can see it is genuinely helping his teeth"
Greenies
Pros
- Shown to reduce plaque, tartar and bad breath
- Unique chewy texture allows the teeth to sink into the chew to get full coverage mechanical removal of plaque
- VOHC seal of acceptance
- Available in 5 sizes
- Available in a variety of flavours and pack sizes
Cons
- May not be suitable for dogs with allergies (contains wheat)
Greenies are another great vet recommended dental chew which have been scientifically proven to reduce plaque, tartar and freshen breath.They have the VOHC seal of acceptance and come in a number of sizes to suit all breeds. The ingredients are highly digestible so great for dogs with a sensitive stomach too.
They have a unique chewy texture so that dogs can really sink their teeth in to get full coverage of the tooth surface.
Greenies dental treats are also available in a tasty blueberry flavour which dogs seem to love!
What our customers say: "This product is great and my dog's breath is so much better with the blueberry flavour."
What our vets say: "My dogs love Greenies and I love knowing that they are helping clean their teeth! They are a low calorie, easy to eat treat and great for my sensitive stomach dog. I also find it a great comfort knowing that these treats are Veterinary Oral Health Council approved for plaque and tartar prevention, giving me that extra peace of mind that they are doing their job." - Dr. Brittany
Best Australian Made Dental Chews
Bell and Bone Chews
Pros
- Available in a range of flavors
- Available for 3 breed sizes as well as puppies and senior dogs
- 100% natural ingredients
- Made in Australia
Cons
- Not VOHC approved
- Less evidence based active ingredients to reduce plaque and tartar build up
Bell and Bone are an Australian made range of dental chews which contain 100% natural ingredients. They are grain free and chicken based treats made in a unique shape to promote chewing. Seaweed is added to try and reduce plaque naturally.
These treats contain mint to help with fresh breath! They are also available in kangaroo and lamb so there are plenty of tasty options depending on your dog's preference.
What our customers say: "I have 5 Rescue dogs and the ALL loved these dental treats. If only there were more in a bag :)"
What to look for in a dental chew for your dog
With so many dental chew options available you are sure to find one that your dog will love! Dental health is such an important part of pet care and offering a dental chew is a great way to keep your dog happy while knowing you're also focusing on keeping their teeth healthy and strong. Some factors to look for in dental chews include:
VOHC approval
The purpose of the Veterinary Oral Health Council is to objectively evaluate the efficacy of dental health products for pets to hinder plaque and tartar build up. Approved products will feature the VOHC Seal of Approval, and feature on the VOHC Accepted Products List. It is important to note that this does not mean that products that do not have the seal are not effective, just that they have not been evaluated, and shown to be effective by the VOHC.
Ingredients
Opt for chews made from natural ingredients that are easily digestible and free from artificial additives, fillers, or preservatives. Look for options with limited or no added sugars and low-fat content to avoid potential health issues.
Size and Shape
Select chews appropriate for your dog's size and chewing habits. Chews that are too small might pose a choking hazard, while overly large ones might be challenging for smaller dogs to handle.
Further Reading
Want to read more? Check out our other articles:
