The problem
Most dog owners often neglect their dog’s teeth, which is really unfortunate because oral hygiene is extremely important and even critical in dogs. This is because, just like human beings, dogs can get cavities.
If you have ever felt the pain that accompanies a cavity, and the fear of facing a dentist, then you should try your hardest to save your precious puppy from this painful experience!
While it is not impossible to expect dogs to brush their teeth twice a day, after all we do have toothpastes for dogs, could there be an additional, less involved way?
The solution
Yes! There are a number of other tools you can employ, to ensure that your dog’s dental health is well taken care of. One of the most effective and beneficial ways of keeping your dog’s teeth minty fresh and free from cavities is by employing a daily dental chew for dogs.
Dental chews will help your dog with things like:
- bad breath
- the build-up of bacteria
- food and saliva on the teeth
- yellow residue on teeth
- bleeding
- swelling
- irritated gums
- . . . and other various types of pains.
The mechanical act of chewing alone may be enough to provide all of the above benefits, but, these dental chews are normally coated with polyphosphate which is the main ingredient in toothpaste. [3]
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Dental chews for dogs reviewed
Choosing the right one can be a daunting task, which is why we have chosen the following five doggie dental chews for your consideration. With some effort, you’ll no longer be pulling away when your dog leans in for the face lick!
Let’s take a look at five of the most popular dental chews for dogs to consider.
Greenies for Dogs | Dental Chew Dog Treats
BEST OVERALL
The Greenies dental treats contain a blend of macronutrients and micronutrients that can help enhance the dental health of your dog. The formulation is also flavored with a delicious poultry taste, to help entice your dogs taste buds.
Each treat is composed of strengthening calcium, teeth-building properties, and phosphorus that may help increase its benefits. In addition to all that, it has lecithin and choline for additional benefits to your pet’s dental health.
The chewy texture of the doggie treats acts like a toothbrush on your pooch’s teeth, plus, it also acts as a sponge to help remove food particles on the gums. In the end, the dog’s mouth is well protected from the formation of tartar and plague.
Pros
- Helps provide a total health solution.
- Desirable poultry taste.
- Made of natural ingredients.
- Does not cause allergic situations.
Cons
- A bit expensive.
Customers feedback
With an impressive rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, this definitely is one of the most sought after dental chews by caring dog owners in the market today. The customer feedback shows that most were happy after using the chews for their dogs, as it gave them a fresh breath, plus, the chews kept them free from cavities. Appreciated the palatable nature of the product as well.
Pedigree | Dentastix Large Dog Treats
BEST FOR LARGE DOGS
These dental chews from Pedigree should work well to clean your dog’s teeth, and give them a fresh breath; reducing the production of tartar and plaque. The dental sticks are designed specifically for large dogs that weigh more than 30 lbs.
Because they are manufactured as sticks, it’s pretty easy to remove any stubborn food particles in the dog’s mouth. Infused with green tea and turmeric, these doggie chews are usually acclaimed for having anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
They also contain vitamins B, D, and E. In order to see good results, you should feed your dog with one Dentastix triple action dental chew treat per day.
Pros
- Cool minty fresh odor
- Clinically proven to reduce plaque and tartar build up
- Tastes good
Cons
- Has a high-calorie concentration.
Customers reviews
This product has been well received by health conscious dog owners, most of whom gave it an impressive rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. They praised the minty fresh breath that their dogs had after chewing on the sticks, plus the dogs also received some much-needed nutrients. Owners reporting forgetting the fact that these were necessary dental treats at all, as their dogs would voluntarily get excited about them.
Virbac | C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews
BEST FOR SMALL DOGS
Virbacs canine dental chews have been known to contain the highest levels of protein, which can be important in dogs for optimal tissue development.
In addition, it contains glucose oxidase that may help with your dog’s digestive health. These oral hygiene chews have been known to not only help prevent the production of plaque and tartar (by combining natural antiseptic activity with abrasive action) but help dogs fight infections as well.
Pros
- Contains high amounts of proteins.
- The glucose oxidase helps with digestion.
- They help dogs fight infections.
- Made using select beef-hide.
- Helps eliminate plaque-forming bacteria with exclusive dual-enzyme system
Cons
- High protein levels not ideal for dogs with kidney disease.
Customers feedback
A superb collective rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars was given by verified customers who had actually given their dogs these hygiene chews, and most of them reported positive results. One customer actually called it a miracle chew treat and recommended it to all, along with the VOHC (veterinary oral health council) who apparently also recommends them as they are vet approved. But avoid these if your dog has kidney issues, as they may cause some unwanted problems.
Pawstruck | Natural Cow Hooves for Dogs
BEST FOR MEDIUM SIZED DOGS
The unique feature about the Pawstruck natural dental treats is that they should last a long time. Your dog will chew and chew and chew. This is because, they are actually made in the United Stated from natural hooves of cows, and deemed safe and healthy for your dog.
They don’t contain any artificial ingredients, designated all-natural and considered to be a good alternative to cowhide.
Pros
- Made in and according to USA safety standards
- Made from all natural ingredients.
- Lots of different pack sizes available
- Can be chewed for long intervals of time.
- 30 day satisfaction guarantee.
Cons
- They’re so durable that they may emit a smell after a while.
Customers feedback
These oral hygiene chews for dogs come highly recommended by customers who used them and earned a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. Their ability to last a very long time was the big winner, and they felt that the chews were worth every penny.
Doggie Pit Stop | Dog Dental Chews & Pig Snout Treats
BEST ALL-NATURAL OPTION
These dental chews are made of 100% pork snout and 100% smoked chicken breasts. They’re made natural and free from preservatives or additives. They are also highly palatable, and the fact that they are made in the US is always a big plus.
These chews are:
- grain free
- gluten free
- preservative free
- additive free
- highly palatable.
The delicious flavor in each bite makes them a favorite choice for most dogs. Each piece is high in protein and should make a good option for dogs that need to lose weight. Other than that, they fulfill their oral hygiene duty by helping to clean the dog’s teeth and remove any excess food in their gums as well.
Pros
- Premium quality
- Contains high levels of proteins.
- Removes food and other particles
- Great alternative to rawhide bones
Cons
- A bit expensive.
Customers feedback
With an impeccably high rating of 5 out of 5 stars, this is a well-loved product and most customers had nothing but praise for these all natural dental chews. Not only did they help to clean their dog’s teeth, they were a delicious treat too, that gave them lots of nutrients. They come highly recommended.
Final say on dog teeth cleaning
Kissing your precious puppy when you get home from work is such a delight, and most dog owners look forward to the moment all day. But it’s just not the same when their breath and dental hygiene is not where it could be. So what to do about it?
Get that fresh feeling back, get that fresh breath back with the implication of proper canine oral hygiene via the products we reviewed above. According to the people who have done just that, you most likely won’t regret it!