The best dental treats for dogs are more than tasty — they’re a smart way to keep your pup’s mouth clean and healthy.
Dental problems like bad breath, plaque buildup, and gum disease are more common than you might think, and they can lead to severe health issues if ignored.
Dental treats help reduce plaque and tartar as your pet chews, and many are made with ingredients that support fresh breath and healthy gums.
If brushing your dog’s teeth feels like a battle, use convenient and effective dental treats to keep the tail wagging and the teeth shining.
Why dental health matters for dogs
Poor dental hygiene in dogs can lead to more than bad breath—it can seriously impact their overall health.
When plaque and tartar build up, they can cause painful gum infections that may lead to tooth loss or allow harmful bacteria to enter the bloodstream.
Over time, this can affect your dog’s heart, liver, and kidneys. You might notice signs like reduced appetite, reluctance to chew, bleeding from the mouth, or excessive drooling.
Regular brushing is the gold standard for preventing these problems, but not every dog makes it easy.
Dental chews and treats are a great addition to your routine. They help clean teeth as your pet chews and keep their breath fresher.
Don’t skip those professional cleanings; they catch issues early and keep your dog’s smile in shape.
What to consider in the best dental treats for dogs
Choosing the right product can make a big difference in your pet’s oral health. The best dental treats for dogs help clean teeth, fight plaque, and freshen breath. Here’s what to look for when picking products for your pup:
- Vet-approved or VOHC-certified: Look for treats with the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal, which means the product meets standards for reducing plaque and tartar.
- Natural ingredients: Choose products made with wholesome ingredients and without artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
- Texture and shape: Go for chews with ridges or a firm texture that helps scrape plaque off teeth as your dog chews.
- Size-appropriate design: The treat should fit your dog’s size and breed to avoid choking hazards and ensure effective cleaning.
- Puppy- or senior-safe formulas: Softer treats are best for puppies with baby teeth or older dogs with dental sensitivities.
- Added health benefits: Some treats include vitamins, probiotics, or breath-freshening ingredients for extra support.
- Digestibility: Pick treats that are easy on your dog’s stomach, especially if they have food sensitivities or allergies.
Loving Pets Gourmet Meat Sticks
If you’re looking for a dental treat that does more than freshen breath, Loving Pets Gourmet Meat Sticks are a solid pick.
These treats are made from 100% pure chicken and packed with nutrients that support your dog’s overall health. You won’t find any fillers, byproducts, or grains here — just clean ingredients that are easy to digest and great for pets with food sensitivities.
What makes them stand out is what they leave out — no chemical additives or artificial preservatives to maintain moisture. That means you give your dog something wholesome and natural without junk that sneaks into many other treats.
These meat sticks go beyond dental health by supporting your pet’s joints. Each stick contains glucosamine and chondroitin — two nutrients that help maintain healthy joints and mobility, especially in active or senior dogs.
So, while your pet is happily chewing away and working off some plaque, it also gets a boost that keeps it moving comfortably.
Whether you’ve got a picky eater or a pup with special dietary needs, these treats are a win-win for taste and wellness.
Blue Buffalo Dental Chews
Blue Buffalo Dental Chews are worth checking out if you’re serious about what goes into your dog’s treats.
These chews are made with real meat as the first ingredient, so your pup gets a protein-rich reward that’s good for them.
These chews do not contain poultry byproducts, corn, wheat, or soy, making them perfect for dogs with sensitive stomachs or food allergies.
Blue Buffalo also avoids artificial ingredients, so no fake flavors or preservatives are hidden in the ingredient list. It’s just clean, wholesome goodness designed to support your pet’s dental health while giving them something satisfying to chew.
What sets Blue Buffalo apart is its commitment to quality. Since 2003, they’ve been known for making natural, health-focused pet products — and their dental bones are no exception.
Every batch undergoes a rigorous six-point quality check, so you can feel confident you’re giving your pet something safe, nutritious, and effective.
These treats help reduce plaque, freshen breath, and fit seamlessly into your dog’s daily routine. If you’re looking for a dental chew that delivers on taste and health, this one checks all the boxes.
Greenies Dental Treats
Greenies Dental Treats are a great choice if you want a dental treat that does what it promises.
Their unique texture is designed to wrap around your dog’s teeth and gums, reducing plaque and tartar as your pup chews. That means you’re giving them a tasty snack and helping keep their mouth clean and breath fresh.
Greenies are made with natural ingredients and fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, so your pup gets more than just oral care in each bite.
These treats are also made with highly soluble ingredients, so they’re easy on your dog’s digestive system and won’t cause upset stomachs.
You’ll also appreciate the quality and care that goes into every bag. Greenies are made in the U.S. from carefully sourced ingredients from trusted global suppliers, giving you peace of mind about what you’re feeding your dog.
Whether you’ve got a small breed with a petite mouth or a big chewer who needs a sturdier treat, Greenies come in various sizes to fit your dog’s needs.
They make daily dental care feel effortless and even enjoyable. Give your pet something that tastes good, cleans their teeth, and supports their overall health.
Pedigree Dentastix
Pedigree Dentastix is one of those dental treats that delivers on taste and performance.
If your dog loves to chew, the unique X-shape design gives them something fun to bite into while working hard to clean their teeth. The texture is clinically proven to help reduce plaque and tartar buildup with daily use.
That means fewer dental issues and a happier, healthier mouth for your pup. Dentastix is an excellent option for small to medium-sized dogs between 15 and 40 pounds, making it a versatile treat for most furry companions.
You can choose from various flavors your pet will look forward to trying — beef, chicken, fresh, and bacon. Whether your dog is a picky eater or a treat enthusiast, there’s likely a Dentastix flavor they’ll love.
It’s an easy way to incorporate dental care into your daily routine without the stress of brushing or scheduling more vet cleanings than necessary.
Just one stick a day can help support your dog’s oral hygiene and keep its tail wagging.
Wellness Pet Food Whimzees Natural Dental Chews
Wellness Pet Food Whimzees Natural Dental Chews are designed to do more than just satisfy your dog’s need to chew.
They’re crafted to target the four areas vets care about most — breath, plaque, tartar, and gum health.
These treats are backed by science and developed by pet health experts, so you know they’re made with your pet’s wellness in mind.
They help freshen your dog’s breath and fight buildup with every bite, which makes them a smart addition to your pet’s daily dental routine.
They’re also made with natural ingredients and don’t contain artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
One thing you’ll love about Whimzees is how long they last. Unlike many dental treats that are gone in seconds, these chews are designed to stick around a little longer, which gives your dog more time to clean their teeth as they chew.
That extended chew time means more contact with tooth surfaces and better results regarding plaque and tartar control. If you’re looking for a treat that’s effective, safe, and enjoyable for your pup, Whimzees are worth a try.
Milk-Bone Brushing Chews
Milk-Bone Brushing Chews bring the power of brushing to treat time without the fuss of a toothbrush. These chews are designed with nubs and ridges that create a natural scrubbing action as your dog chews. These features reduce tartar buildup and freshen breath at the same time.
If your dog isn’t a fan of having their teeth brushed, this is a stress-free way to help maintain good oral hygiene. Just one chew daily can make a noticeable difference in your pet’s dental health.
Even more impressive is that a single Brushing Chew is as effective as brushing your dog’s teeth twice a week. That’s a big win for busy pet parents who want to stay on top of dental care without the daily struggle.
These treats are suitable for pets older than six months. They’re easy to add to your routine, and your dog will think they’re just getting a treat.
Purina DentaLife Daily Oral Care
Purina DentaLife Daily Oral Care treats are made for dog owners who want real results without complicating their routine. With a scientifically tested formula, these chews can help reduce tartar buildup by an average of 57% — a big win for your pet’s long-term dental health.
The unique chewy texture and eight distinct ridges work together to clean teeth right down to the gum line, which gives your pup a deeper clean with every bite. Plus, they help freshen your dog’s breath, so you can enjoy those close-up cuddles without holding your nose.
What sets DentaLife apart is its focus on clean ingredients and smart design. These treats contain no artificial colors or preservatives, which is ideal if you’re conscious about what goes into your dog’s body.
Daily use is easy to manage and turns oral care into something your pet looks forward to. Suppose you have a young, energetic chewer or an older dog that needs a bit of help keeping up with dental hygiene. DentaLife makes it simple to support healthy teeth and gums every day.
Virbac C.E.T. VeggieDent Fr3sh Tartar Control Chews for Dogs
Virbac C.E.T. VeggieDent Fr3sh Tartar Control Chews for Dogs is a triple-action dental chew that goes beyond cleaning teeth.
It also freshens your dog’s breath and supports healthy digestion. The standout feature is its clever Z-shape.
It helps the chew reach from front to back, hitting those tricky spots that other treats might miss. With every bite, your dog reduces plaque and tartar while getting a satisfying chew session. It’s a smart choice for keeping your dog’s mouth clean and breath fresher.
What makes these chews especially appealing is their clean, plant-based formula. It’s completely free of animal-derived ingredients, gluten, and artificial fillers, so it’s gentle on sensitive stomachs and easy to digest.
These chews also contain a prebiotic that promotes healthy digestion and maintains good gut health — something you don’t usually find in a dental treat.
If you’re looking for a dental chew that works hard on multiple levels and keeps things natural, check out these tartar-fighting chews.
Why your dog’s smile deserves daily attention
Your dog’s dental health is as important as their daily walks and healthy meals.
Taking a few minutes daily to support clean teeth can prevent serious health issues later.
Purchase the best dental treats for dogs; you’ll keep their tail wagging and smile strong for years.
Jane Marsh is an environmental writer passionate about pet care and health. To read more of her work, visit her site, Environment.co.