The 5 Best Dog Dental Chews, According To Veterinarians

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Your dog’s oral health is important, and that means making sure she visits the vet for a professional dental cleaning once a year — and brushing her teeth at home at least two to three times each week.

But the steps you take between cleanings and brushings can be just as important in keeping your pet’s mouth clean and healthy. And one great (and fun!) tool for maintaining your pet's oral health is dental treats.

The Dodo spoke to Dr. Zay Satchu, cofounder and chief veterinary officer at Bond Vet in New York City, and Dr. Corinne Wigfall, a veterinarian working with Spirit Dog Training, to find out which dental treats are the best for your pup.

Dog dental chews are treats you can give your dog to help reduce the buildup of plaque and tartar on her teeth.

“They are designed to help fight dental disease by acting like chewing gum,” Dr. Wigfall told The Dodo. “The tooth sinks into the chew, and the texture of the dental chew pulls off or disturbs the plaque layer on the teeth, thus reducing the rate of dental disease. They can be quite high in calories, so it's important to give these chews in moderation.”

One of the main benefits of dental chews is that dogs love them. “This is advantageous for dogs who will not allow tooth brushing or other forms of oral care,” Dr. Wigfall said.

While dental treats are great for your pup’s teeth, they can also help with stinky breath.

“Dental treats are designed to help reduce plaque or tartar, helping to keep your dog’s mouth healthy,” Dr. Satchu told The Dodo. “And as an added bonus, dental treats can help freshen up your pup’s breath — which makes it much more pleasant to enjoy your dog’s kisses.”

Additionally, they’re better for your dog than just a regular chew would be. “Dental chews are part of a combination effort to treat dental disease and are a healthier alternative to regular chews,” Dr. Wigfall said.

If you’re in the market for dental chews, it’s important to know what to look for when shopping.

A great place to start is the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s approved product list, which includes all sorts of dental goodies, like chews, toothpastes and gels.

Not all dental treats focus on the same areas of oral hygiene. Some feature ingredients that clean teeth and freshen breath, while others provide vitamins and nutrients to your dog.

As a general rule, it’s recommended that pets chew the dental treats for more than two minutes, so you’ll want to look for treats that are long-lasting. It’s also important that the treats are bendable to avoid breaking your dog’s teeth.

Your dog’s physical health should also be considered when choosing a treat, as some dental chews can be high in fat.

"Search for quality ingredients and a low fat content that won’t interfere with your dog’s meal plan or dietary health,” Dr. Satchu explained. “Plus, the treats are still an indulgence, so limit the number of treats you feed to your dog.”

As a general rule, treats (including dental treats) should make up no more than 10 percent of your dog’s diet.

Dr. Satchu also stressed that dental treats are no substitute for brushing your dog’s teeth, which is the most effective way to remove plaque that can cause tooth decay and gum disease. “Brushing your dog’s teeth is the gold standard of care,” Dr. Satchu said.

With all those considerations, the search for the best dental treats for your dog can be pretty overwhelming, especially if your dog has specific needs.

Here are some dog dental chews that veterinarians recommend.

Making sure your dog’s mouth is healthy might take some work, but it’ll all be worth it to help avoid future health issues.