Dog Dental Treats & Chews

Dog dental treats work in two different ways, and knowing which one you are buying changes what you should expect from it. Most dental chews are mechanical: the shape and texture scrape the tooth surface as your dog works through them, which slows the build-up of plaque before it hardens into tartar. A smaller group carries an active ingredient as well — OraVet chews leave a film that makes it harder for bacteria to stick, and PlaqueOff products use a seaweed extract taken through the food rather than chewed.

Two things owners get caught by. First, dental chews are food: a large daily chew can carry a meaningful share of a small dog's daily kilojoules, so reduce meals to match rather than adding it on top. Second, sizing is not cosmetic — GREENIES and OraVet are sized by bodyweight because a chew that is too small gets swallowed whole and does no cleaning at all, while one that is too hard for an older dog can damage teeth. Fast, determined chewers are better off with a longer-lasting form such as Whimzees Toothbrush or an antler, and supervised either way.

Nothing you buy here replaces brushing, and none of it treats existing dental disease. If your dog has red gums, a broken tooth or breath that has changed suddenly, that is a vet visit, not a treat purchase.

• All pet dental care — toothpaste, brushes, powders and water additives
• Cat dental treats and dental care
• All dog treats
• GREENIES
• Whimzees
• Bell and Bone Dental Sticks
• OraVet