Best Dental Chews For Dogs: Teeth Cleaning Treats For Bad Breath & Are Greenies Good For Dogs?

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The moment I walk in the door, my dog jumps on me and gives me all the puppy kisses in the world. How sweet, but wow, her breath stinks! My pup is just trying to show me how much she missed me, but I’m not enjoying the affection because it’s so smelly. Thankfully, I’ve found the best dental chews for dogs to help with this stinky situation. Not only can they freshen your pup’s breath, but they can also help with gum health and reduce plaque and tartar build-up.

A word of warning: Chronic bad breath in dogs is NOT normal. If your furry friend’s breath is usually stinky, it’s most likely a sign that she has dental disease. This requires a consultation with your vet to get her dental health evaluated and any necessary treatment to help prevent disease progression.

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GreeniesDentastixBark Bright chews and toothpastev dog dental sticks
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Before You Give Dental Chews For Dogs

Make sure there is always fresh drinking water available when you give your dog one of these treats. Also, be sure to monitor your dog and don’t leave her alone while she’s eating a treat in case she bites off too large of a chunk and has difficulties.

Best Dental Chews For Dogs: Greenies vs Dentastix

dog chewing on dental stick

What are the best dog dental chews? It really depends on your dog’s preference, eating habits, and dental needs. Two of the best dental treats for dogs are Greenies and Pedigree’s Dentastix, but which one is better?

I compared these dog dental chews against one another. Greenies are known for their minty taste, and Dentastix comes in more traditional dog treat flavors (in addition to fresh). Dentastix are less expensive but tend not to last as long as Greenies.

Greenies Dental Dog Treats & Dog Chew Review

Greenies Dental Dog Treats

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These Greenies dental sticks for dogs help fight plaque and tartar build-up to keep your dog’s oral hygiene in check. If they love to give you lots of kisses, you’ll like these too since they help with bad breath. These natural dog chews are low-fat and include vitamins to keep your pup healthy.

Are Greenies good for dogs? Yes, they can help maintain healthy teeth and gums when used correctly. However, if dogs eat them too quickly, they can swallow sharp pieces and hurt their throat or internal organs. So it’s crucial to keep an eye on your pet while enjoying this or any chew or toy.

Our First-Hand Experience With Greenies

Greenies are pricier than Dentastix, but we found they work slightly better for our dog Lexie. They are harder and thus last a little longer. She goes crazy over these things, but it’s only effective (and safe) when she takes her time versus swallowing it quickly.

Sadie Cornelius, parent to a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
ProsCons
Available in teenie, petite, regular, large, and jumboNot for dogs under 5 pounds
Helps fight plaque and tartar build-upContains gluten (if your dog is gluten intolerant)
Minty flavor combats bad breathMore expensive
Long-lasting
Made in the U.S.

Price

Pedigree Dentastix Dental Dog Treats Review

Pedigree Dentastix Dental Dog Treats

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Pedigree Dentastix has a patented x shape to help with plaque and tartar build-up. They are available in multiple flavors, so hopefully, you can find one that your dog loves. Give your dog one treat a day to get that pearly white smile for maximum effectiveness.

I use Dentastix for my dog, Sally. She can get some gnarly breath, and these have helped reduce the smell drastically. Our vet always comments on how great her teeth are too. We like the Fresh ones instead of the Original or Beef Flavor ones because we find the mint smell more pleasing than the others. However, Sally gobbles down any of them within seconds!

ProsCons
Available in various flavors (bacon, beef, chicken, and fresh)Not for dogs under 5 pounds
Available in mini and largeContains gluten (if your dog is gluten intolerant)
Reduces plaque and tartar build-up
Freshens breath
Made in the U.S.
Good value

Price

32 Pack:  $14.98 ($9.02 / lb)

Best Monthly Dental Kit: BARK Bright Review

Bark Bright sticks and paste

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Make sure you always have your dog’s daily dental needs on hand with the BARK Bright Dental Kit. This subscription-based service delivers high-quality doggy toothpaste and grain-free dental chews to your door every month so you never run out. Even better, the toothpaste requires no brushing; you simply squeeze it into a groove on each chew, and your pup’s chewing will do the job for you.

Although the chews only come in chicken flavor, I love that they offer durable, long-lasting dental sticks for aggressive chewers in addition to regular dental sticks. And you can add the BARK Bright Dental Kit to the company’s BarkBox or Super Chewer subscription for a regular delivery of dog toys.

BARK sent me some for Sally to test out. The kit included 30 daily chews and one tube of triple enzymatic toothpaste. Unlike the other chews, these are used with toothpaste on them. After the 30 days, Sally’s breath was unnoticeable, which is exactly what I like. She loved the treats and I enjoyed her kisses more.

Our Personal Experience With BARK Bright

Bark Brite durable without toothpaste
BARK Brite durable without toothpaste.

Daisy loves the taste of Durable Chews with the chicken toothpaste. She happily gobbles them down, and we noticed a significant change in her breath. The effects on her breath last, even after just a few days of use. Unlike other dental chews, it does not feel like the product is simply covering up bad breath. Overall, her mouth seems much cleaner. Daisy has also tried the Original Chews and chicken toothpaste, but she likes the flavor of the Durable Chew better. However, my smaller dog, Falkor, a Poodle Beagle mix, enjoys the Original Chew, which has a different smell. I have also not noticed as much improvement with the breath as the Durable Chew.

Danielle DeGroot, rescue dog parent
ProsCons
Get automatic deliveries of toothpaste and dental chewsNot for dogs under 15 pounds
Chews available in small, medium, and largeOnly one flavor (chicken)
All-natural with no grain, corn, or artificial colors or flavors
Reduces plaque and tartar build-up and freshens breath
Option for super chewers
30-day money-back guarantee
Made in the U.S.

Price

You can sign up for a month-to-month, 6-month, or 12-month subscription. All products are the same price regardless of the size your dog needs.

In-Depth BARK Brite Review

Be sure to read our full review of BARK Bright for more details, including before and after photos and video of our experience.

Best Vegan: v-dog Breath Bones

v dog dental sticks jpg

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If your dog is on a special vegan diet or you are just looking for an eco-friendly alternative, v-dog’s breath bones might be a good option for you. Their chewy sticks are made with brown rice flour, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, cinnamon, chia seesd, broccoli, parsley, spinach, alfalfa, and natural sources of DHA from alga. They offer regular 4″ bones and mini 3″ bones for smaller dogs. Keep your dog’s mouth clean and smelling fresh with peace of mind for their well-being (and the planet).

ProsCons
Vegan, plant-powered ingredientsOnly one flavor
100% natural
No gluten or artificial colors or flavors
Comes in 2 sizes (regular and mini)
Sustainable sourcing
Good for the planet, using less carbon emissions
Mission-based company

Price

Our Personal Experience With v-dog Breath Bones

dog with vdog breath bones jpg

Our dog is obsessed with the v-dog jerky, he goes crazy every time we give it to him. We usually put it inside a Kong to make it a challenge to eat since he devours it so quickly. It doesn’t have any odor and is soft but not messy. We also recently started using v-dog’s breath bones to help with his bad breath. A bit skeptical at first, he warmed up and was a big fan. We are too, since it lasted a good 30 minutes. We noticed a bit better-smelling mouth afterward and plan to give him one daily now at the end of the day. The regular sized were a bit big for him, but he managed to carry it around and hold it with his paws. It didn’t smell, and love that we found a solution that is natural and meat-free for him to help combat tartar and smelly teeth.

Sadie Cornelius, parent to a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

What About Whimzees, Virbec & More?

Here are some alternatives to Greenies, Dentastix, and Bark Bright that might be better options, especially if your dog is gluten-intolerant.

Blue Buffalo Dental Bones Review

Blue Buffalo Dental Bones

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The Blue Buffalo dog dental bones are available in different sizes, from small to jumbo. The treats are textured to help soothe your dog’s sore gums, which are great for when she is teething. They only come in one flavor, but their product is gluten-free, unlike Greenies and Dentastix. So if your dog has a wheat allergy, this could be a good option for you.

Included is DHA to help with cognitive development, Taurine for a healthy heart, and vitamins for her immune system. Like most dental chews, these will clean your dog’s teeth and give them fresh breath.

ProsCons
Available in mini, small, regular, and large sizesDoesn’t mention the prevention of plaque or tartar build-up
All-natural ingredientsOnly one flavor
Made in the U.S.
100% grain and gluten-free

Price

  • 36 Pack:  

Whimzees Toothbrush Dental Treat For Dogs Review

Whimzees chews

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Whimzees dog teeth cleaning treats are toothbrush-shaped and made of vegetables with no added chemicals. They help freshen your dog’s breath while fighting plaque and tartar build-up. These treats are low-fat and high in fiber.

Our Personal Experience

We love these Whimzees chews that our dog’s dentist gave us to try out after Barley’s last dental cleaning. They last longer than others we have tried, so they’re a bit more like a bone than a treat. Barley goes through other dental chews in less than two minutes, but these take him more like 4-5 minutes!

Michele Schenker, pet parent to two rescue dogs
ProsCons
Available in x-small, small, medium, large, and x-largeMade in Holland (if you are looking for American-made)
Gluten-free and vegetarianNot for dogs under 5 pounds
Fights control plaque and tartar
Combats bad breath

Price

Virbac C.E.T. Veggiedent FR3SH Review

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Virbac’s tartar control chews for dogs help eliminate and control plaque using select plant-based ingredients. They are gluten-free and have a probiotic that aids in digestion and intestinal health. They come in a unique Z-shape design that scrapes the tartar off teeth while chewing.

ProsCons
Available in small, medium, large, and x-largeNot made in the U.S.
Reduces plaque build-up
Contains probiotics
Gluten-free and vegetarian

Price

Water Additive Options

If dental sticks do not seem to be working or you want extra protection, you could try this product that you simply add to your dog’s water bowl.

Oxyfresh Water Additive Pet Dental Care Review

Oxyfresh Water Additive

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Oxyfresh claims to fight tartar, plaque, and gum disease. This is another easy way to clean your dog’s teeth between brushing (like mouthwash for humans). All you do is add a capful to your dog’s drinking water each day. The liquid is odorless and tasteless, so your dog won’t notice it’s there.

I suggest you check with your vet before giving this to your dog to ensure it won’t conflict with any other health issues.

Our Personal Experience With Oxyfresh

A dog sniffing bottle of Oxyfresh water additive.

We purchased Oxyfresh for our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel after hearing good things about it. We use it daily with our dog’s water, and it only takes a little droplet in each bowl of water. Georgie doesn’t even notice it’s in there! We do it more as a preventative measure, along with regular brushing and wipes.

– Sadie Cornelius, parent to a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
ProsCons
Helps fight plaque and tartar build-upDoesn’t scrape plaque and tartar off teeth as effectively as chews do
Minimizes bad breath
Non-toxic
Made in the U.S.

Pricing

TEEF for Life Protektin42 Review

Teef for life kit

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TEEF for Life sent me some of their products, including the Protektin42 and Protektin42+K water additives. I’m impressed by the reusable glass jar packaging for the water additives. They come with a pre-measured scoop and you can reorder refill powder packets at up to 20% off. I like that the product is made in the U.S. and the company is conscious of its carbon footprint.

The Protektin42+K aids in dental and kidney care. Products are created by microbiologists and made with 100% human-grade, prebiotic ingredients. After about three days of using the Protektin42+K, Sally started having a lot of GI issues. She needed to go potty frequently and was having diarrhea multiple times a day. She even went poop on our door rug in the middle of the night, which she had never done before. We stopped using the water additive immediately. I can’t guarantee that this is what caused the issues for Sally, but it is the only change we made in her diet, and she didn’t get into anything she shouldn’t have.

However, all dogs respond differently to products, and this is just one experience. I tried to find additional customer testimonials and found fewer than ten listed on any websites that had TEEF products for sale. Of those testimonials, the majority of them were positive. I saw no mention of GI issues for dogs who used TEEF.

TEEF powder for dogs packet and jar products side by side showing use and personal experience.
ProsCons
Prevents plaque and tartar build-upMy dog had diarrhea while using Protektin42+K
Cures bad breath in less than 1 week
Strengthens teeth
Plant-derived, vegan
Chemical free
Made in the U.S.

Pricing

Dog Dental Health Matters

While dental chews can help to keep plaque at bay, they’re no substitute for brushing your dog’s teeth to prevent infections and gum disease. And most vets recommend daily brushing. I know it can be hard to convince your dog of the value of this activity, so our team put together a dog teeth-brushing guide to help guide you through this sticky situation.

This video from Greenies has some stats that show us why it’s important to give our dogs dental chews and keep their teeth clean.

Best Pet Insurance For Dental Needs

If your dog is predisposed to dental issues, you may want to consider pet insurance. However, not all pet insurance covers the same dental conditions. You can learn all about which company we recommend for pet dental insurance. If you want to dive in deep, you can read our comparison article, including detailed information for multiple pet insurance companies.

Are Dogs’ Mouths Cleaner Than Humans’ Mouths?

We’ve all heard it. Dogs’ mouths are cleaner than ours. Some of us believe this, while others think it’s a bunch of malarkey. Is their saliva “cleaner” than ours? It can be hard to believe since they get into, lick, and sometimes eat some not-so-good things.

Some veterinarians say it’s not true that dogs’ mouths are cleaner, but most of the bacteria found in a dog’s mouth won’t harm humans. So, if you want to kiss your pup — go ahead! Just make sure they are up to date on all their shots and parasite control medications.

Check this out if you are looking for other ways to get rid of your dog’s bad breath or if you’re curious about how many teeth your dog has. If you’re looking for treats to reward your dog, we have you covered as well.

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The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease; it is not intended to offer any legal opinion or advice or a substitute for professional safety advice or professional care. Please consult your health care provider, attorney, or product manual for professional advice. Products and services reviewed are provided by third parties; we are not responsible in any way for them, nor do we guarantee their functionality, utility, safety, or reliability. Our content is for educational purposes only.

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