The 10 Best Dental Chews for Dogs To Remove Buildup And Freshen Breath

Best Overall

Virbac Tartar Control Dog Chews

$31 At Amazon $31 At Chewy $29 At Walmart

Virbac C.E.T VeggieDent Fr3sh Tarter Control Dog Chews are made with plant-based ingredients and each chewy stick has a Z-shape making it easier for dogs to grip as they gnaw. The twisty shape helps the treat get into the nooks and crannies of a dog's teeth, and they have the seal of acceptance from the VOHC for proven removal of buildup.

The C.E.T VeggieDent Fr3sh Tarter Control Dog Chews come in four sizes, from extra-small to large, for tiny dogs weighing under 11 pounds to big dogs over 66 pounds. Each treat is designed to reduce plaque and tartar while also freshening your dog’s breath. The chews are meant to be consumed and contain prebiotics for gentle digestion.

The C.E.T. in the name stands for Clean Every Tooth, and these treats are a top choice among many licensed veterinarians in the United States. Plus, Virbac is an established and reputable animal pharmaceutical company with a full line of dog dental products, including toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental rinses, and other dental treats.

_{Treat Sizes: Extra-small, small, medium, large | Main ingredients: Corn starch, glycerin, soy protein isolate, rice flour | Calories: 75 per medium chew | Nutrition: 17% min protein, 0.4% min fat, 2% max crude fiber, 15% max moisture}

Best Selection (Puppies, Seniors, Large Dogs)

Greenies Original Regular Natural Dental Dog Treats

$39 At Amazon $6 At Chewy $34 At Walmart

Greenies are one of the most well-known dental chews for dogs. They are aptly named for their distinctive green color and are shaped somewhat like a toothbrush. Greenies are made in the United States with globally sourced ingredients, including vitamins and minerals. The treats are poultry flavored and most dogs seem to really enjoy the taste.

They are designed to freshen breath and to fight plaque and tartar for teeth and gum health. They are often veterinarian-recommended and were accepted by the VOHC. They come in four sizes for dogs from five to 100 pounds. They also have special formulas for puppies, seniors, and weight management, as well as recipes that are grain-free or contain spearmint for extra fresh breath.

_{Treat Sizes: Teenie, petite, regular, large | Main ingredients: Wheat flour, glycerin, wheat gluten, gelatin | Calories: 91 per regular original treat | Nutrition: 30% min protein, 5.5% min fat, 8% max crude fiber, 6% max moisture}

Best for Small Dogs

OraVet Dental Care Hygiene Chews

$26 At Amazon $26 At Chewy $30 At Walmart

The main ingredient in OraVet Dental Care Hygiene Chews is delmopinol, which is a common ingredient used in dental rinses for humans. It works by coating a dog’s teeth to help protect against tartar and plaque formation and bad breath. When your dog first chews the treat, it causes plaque to loosen and break off. Then the active ingredient protects from the bacteria that triggers plaque and leads to bad breath. 

The OraVet dental treats are little green rectangles with a swirled chewy center. They are individually wrapped for freshness, come in four sizes for dogs up to 50-plus pounds, and the extra-small size is for dogs weighing three-and-a-half to nine pounds. They are poultry flavored and VOHC approved for the removal of tartar.

_{Treat Sizes: Extra-small, small, medium, large | Main ingredients: Delmopinol | Calories: 80.5 per medium chew | Nutrition: 46.41% min protein, 2.55% min fat, 0.69% max crude fiber, 13.98% max moisture}

Best Shapes

Whimzees by Wellness Dental Treats

$39 At Amazon $28 At Chewy $27 At Walmart

Whimzees by Wellness Dental Treats come in a variety of textured shapes, like alligators and hedgehogs, but the most commonly found are the Whimzees Brushzees, shaped like toothbrushes topped with a swirl of toothpaste, and the Whimzees Stix, which are long ridged chews. The Whimzees Stix also come in seasonal shapes, pumpkins and snowmen, for the fall and winter holidays, and variety packs of Whimzees by Wellness Dental Treats offer a mix which can help keep your dog interested.

All of the chews are made without artificial ingredients, flavors, or additives, and oral health treats come in five sizes for dogs from five to 60-plus pounds, but only the Brushzees have the VOHC seal of approval. All of the chews are made without artificial ingredients, flavors, or additives, and Whimzees by Wellness are made in the Netherlands in a factory that puts a lot of focus on sustainability.

_{Treat Sizes: Extra-small, small, medium, large, extra-large | Main ingredients: Potato starch, glycerin, powdered cellulose, lecithin | Calories: 88 per medium chew | Nutrition: 1.1% min protein, 2% min fat, 13.7% max crude fiber, 11% max moisture}

Best Budget

Purina Dental Chews

$15 At Amazon $15 At Chewy $12 At Walmart

DentaLife Daily Oral Care Dental Treats from Purina are more affordable than other dental chews. On average, the price per small/medium sized treat is 40 cents, whereas other brands are a dollar or more per treat. The chews are accepted by the VOHC and dogs seem to like the taste.

These oral health treats from Purina have air pockets and ridges that work together to create a chewy texture. That chewiness helps remove tartar and plaque, which leads to better breath. The main ingredients are rice, glycerin, and wheat flour, and there are three sizes (mini, small/medium, and large) for dogs from five to 40-plus pounds.

_{Treat Sizes: Mini, small/medium, large | Main ingredients: Rice, glycerin, wheat flour | Calories: 63 per small/medium treat | Nutrition: 6% min protein, 2% min fat, 1.5% max crude fiber, 15% max moisture}

Best Natural Ingredients

Blue Buffalo Dental Bones All Natural Dog Treats

$26 At Amazon $42 At Chewy $58 At Walmart

Blue Buffalo Dental Bones All Natural Regular Dog Treats are chewy and texturized to help remove tartar and plaque while freshening breath. The bone-shaped chews are made with potatoes, blueberries, and pea protein along with added minerals, and they are completely free of artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors. The oral-health focused treats are also free of poultry byproduct meals, grains, gluten, corn, soy, and wheat.

The Dental Bones from Blue Buffalo come in four sizes (mini, small, regular, and large) for dogs as small as five pounds to 50-plus pounds. Dogs seem to love the taste, often finishing the treat much more quickly than expected, but they have not yet received the seal of acceptance from the VOHC.

_{Treat Sizes: Mini, small, regular, large | Main ingredients: Potatoes, powdered cellulose, vegetable glycerin | Calories: 87 per regular bone | Nutrition: 7.5% min protein, 3.5% min fat, 12% max crude fiber, 20% max moisture}

Best with Toothpaste

Ark Naturals Brushless Toothpaste Dog Chews

$15 At Amazon $41 At Chewy $49 At PETCO

Ark Naturals Brushless Toothpaste Dental Chews have a heart-shaped channel of gummy toothpaste in the center. The chewy exterior of these dental sticks have ridges to get closer to hard-to-reach spots, and the tasty toothpaste center is intended to polish each tooth.

The chews come in four sizes ranging from mini (up to eight pounds) to large (up to 80 pounds). They contain spices like cinnamon, clove, vanilla, and alfalfa to help freshen breath, and you can give your dog the appropriately sized Brushless Toothpaste Dental Chew up to twice a day as a treat. But these treats from Ark Naturals do not have the VOHC acceptance seal.

_{Treat Sizes: Mini, small, medium, large | Main ingredients: Rice flour, honey, water, glycerin, canola oil, gelatin | Calories: 50 per medium treat | Nutrition: 5% min protein, 5% min fat, 2% max crude fiber, 20% max moisture}

Best Gourmet

Bocce’s Bakery Dog Treats

$17 At Amazon $16 At Chewy $17 At boccesbakery.com

These bristle-shaped dental sticks smell so good, you might be tempted to sample one yourself. The ingredient list is short and includes natural items, including chickpeas, apples, coconut, and spinach. There are no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Brushy Sticks come in three sizes (small, medium, and large) for dogs from five pounds to more than 50 pounds. Bocce’s Bakery also makes Brushy Bites, which are smaller B-shaped versions of the Brushy Sticks. All of the dental chews from Bocce's Bakery are made in the United States with apple and mint for fresh breath.

_{Treat Sizes: Small, medium, large | Main ingredients: Chickpeas, tapioca flour, coconut glycerin, apples | Calories: 55 per medium stick | Nutrition: 11% min protein, 2.75% min fat, 3.75% max crude fiber, 27% max moisture}

Best Rawhide

Virbac Enzymatic Dental Dog Chews

$11 At Amazon $16 At Chewy View On Pureformulas.com

Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Dental Chews are made with all-beef rawhide that is free of chemicals and adhesives commonly found in other rawhide products. Each textured chew is high in protein and designed to withstand a dog's chomp for a longer duration than other dental chews. Enzymes, plus the chew’s rough texture, work together to scrub plaque and tartar

The C.E.T (Clean Every Tooth) Enzymatic Dental Chews are made from single strips of rawhide and come in four sizes for dogs weighing under 11 pounds to dog over 50 pounds. Virbac also makes our best overall dental chew for dogs, the C.E.T. VeggieDent Fr3sh Tartar Control Chews.

_{Treat Sizes: Extra-small, small, medium, large | Main Ingredients: Beef rawhide, dextrose, poultry digest, maltodextrins | Calories: 54 per medium chew | Nutrition: 75% min protein, 1% min fat, 3.5% min crude fiber, 18% min moisture}

Best Kit

Bark Bright Dental Kit

$37 At Amazon View On PETCO View On PetSmart

The Bright Dental Kit from Bark makes it easy to give your dog a double dose of teeth cleaning power. The kit includes Bark Dental Chews in the size of your choosing (small, medium, or large) and chicken-flavored Bark Bright Toothpaste.

Once a day when it's time for your dog's dental chew, simply squeeze out a single layer of dog toothpaste into a ridge and then let your dog handle the rest. As your dog chomps away, the toothpaste gel is activated and the dental chew works somewhat similar to a toothbrush to remove build up. The chicken-flavored experience (both items are made with real chicken) should be enjoyable for you dog, and the results—fresh breath and cleaner teeth—should be enjoyable for all.

On average when compared to other stick dental chews of the same size, Bark Dental Chews have less calories per stick. They are free of grain and corn, and made without artificial preservatives or flavors, but if your dog is allergic to poultry (or doesn't like the taste) then this kit isn't for you.

Each Bright Dental Kit comes with 30 chews and one-month supply of toothpaste. If your dog is has a powerful chomp, you can opt for the Bright Durable Dental Kit which comes with Bark Durable Dental Chews designed to last three times longer than the original chews.

_{Treat Sizes: Small, medium, large; 1.89 ounces (toothpaste) | Main Ingredients: Potato starch, vegetable glycerin, pork gelatin, pea protein, chicken (chew); water, vegetable glycerin, sorbitol, chicken, dried skimmed milk, sodium carboxymethyl-cellulose, sodium alginate (toothpaste) | Calories: 41 per medium chew | Nutrition: Crude protein (min): 17.0%, crude fat (min): 3.0%, crude fiber (max): 1.0%, moisture (max): 24.0%}