Best Dental Chews for Dogs: Keep Their Chompers Clean in 2025

During our review, GREENIES Original Regular Dental Dog Treats earned high marks for palatability—most dogs gobbled them up—and for keeping breath fresher between professional cleanings. With multiple size options and a wallet-friendly $8.98 price for Regular, it’s easy to match your dog’s weight and make daily oral care feel like a treat. Just note some pups demolish them quickly, which limits scrubbing time, and a few sensitive dogs can get gassy; choosing the right size and supervising helps.

For little dogs, Dentastix Fresh in the Toy/Small size offers an X-shaped, textured chew that targets plaque while working to freshen breath. In our review, daily use was easy and the size felt appropriate for toy breeds, though flavor preferences varied from dog to dog. Remember these aren't a replacement for toothbrushing or professional cleanings, especially if tartar is already heavy. We'd also count the calories toward the day's intake to keep weight in check while enjoying the routine.

Whimzees Brushzees Small Dental Chews stood out in our testing for their grain-free, simple-ingredient recipe—potato starch and powdered cellulose—and a toothbrush shape that encourages plaque and tartar reduction as dogs gnaw. We found many dogs do fine when introduced slowly, but there are reports of vomiting or loose stool, and some dogs simply don’t like the taste or texture. If your dog is over 9 months and you want a minimalist chew at $15.82, start with small quantities and watch tolerance.

Benebone's Dental Dog Chew Toy won us over for durability - during our review, it stood up to repeated gnawing and the bacon flavor kept dogs engaged. The ergonomic shape is easy to grip with paws, so pups can really work those ridges. That said, the very hard material has been reported to crack teeth in small dogs, and some shapes can get stuck on a jaw, so size carefully and supervise. If your dog tends to shred or ingest pieces, our experience shows a softer chew may be safer.

If you're counting calories, Greenies Weight Management makes daily dental care easier with fewer calories than regular Greenies and a texture that helps reduce plaque. In our testing, dogs loved the taste and the multiple sizes let us dial in a better fit to slow down chewing. Some pups still inhale them, which can cut the cleaning action, and the price is higher than many standard treats. We found they complement brushing well but aren't a substitute for professional cleanings when tartar is advanced.

Purina DentaLife Daily Oral Care Large Breed Dog Dental Chews impressed us with their nubby, textured design that helps reduce plaque and tartar as dogs work through each piece, and the flavor is a hit with most big pups. The softer chew is a plus for seniors or dogs with dental sensitivities, and at $11.68, they’re an easy daily add-on. Do watch for potential choking if your dog gulps, check for chicken by-product meal if allergies are a concern, and inspect packages for staleness on arrival.

For big pups on a budget, Dentastix Large Originals deliver a simple daily routine that helps reduce tartar buildup. During our testing, most dogs devoured the chicken flavor, which made consistency easy, though some didn't get the breath boost their owners hoped for. We did run into occasional crushed bags and stock hiccups, so consider buying ahead or checking store pickup. If breath is your primary concern, our experience shows you may need to pair with brushing or a breath-focused chew.

OraVet's once-a-day chew stands out during our testing thanks to delmopinol, which coats teeth to help prevent plaque and tartar while the chew action scrubs. We appreciated the choice of 14- and 30-count packs, but the price is undeniably higher than many alternatives. Some dogs experienced GI upset or colored stools, and the chews can get sticky and messy as they soften. Our advice: start with a smaller pack to test tolerance, then commit if your dog does well and you value convenience.

Ark Naturals Brushless Toothpaste earned quick buy-in during our testing - most dogs loved the taste, and we noticed fresher breath with some reduction in visible tartar over time. The variety of sizes and formats makes it easier to find a good match for different breeds. On the flip side, a few dogs had digestive upset, and batch-to-batch texture can be surprisingly hard, which isn't ideal for seniors or dental-compromised pups. We'd introduce slowly and monitor, especially with older dogs.

In our testing, N Bone Teeny Puppy Teething Rings were the right size and shape for tiny paws, and the chicken flavor kept most small-breed pups engaged long enough to soothe teething discomfort and help reduce light plaque. At $8.99, they’re an easy training-time pacifier, but some very young or sensitive puppies may find them too hard, and heavy chewers can break them into smaller pieces. They also get sticky or slimy with prolonged gnawing, so supervise closely and protect soft surfaces.

For new pups, Greenies Puppy Teenie are sized for tiny mouths and carry VOHC-backed claims for plaque and tartar control. In our testing, they freshened puppy breath nicely and were highly enticing, which made training breaks double as dental time. Keep an eye out for gulping - some puppies swallow them whole - so consider supervising closely or breaking them in halves. They do cost more than generics and have a herbal scent some owners dislike, but the fit and efficacy impressed us.

Virbac C.E.T. VeggieDent Fr3sh chews were a hit in our testing - dogs gobbled them up and we saw noticeable tartar reduction after several weeks. The range of sizes helps tailor the chew to your dog, though larger dogs may still finish quickly, limiting the mechanical cleaning time. Some owners report vomiting or lethargy, and ingredients like erythritol and corn cob raise digestion concerns for sensitive pups. We suggest starting slowly and monitoring closely to ensure they agree with your dog.

Our experience shows SmartBones Dental Dog Chews hit a sweet spot for dogs that love to chew but can’t do rawhide—the rawhide-free formula still helps freshen breath and support basic dental care between brushings. Most pups enjoy the flavor, and at $11.49 they’re a convenient, lower-mess option, but they’re not ideal for power chewers. Some batches can be quite hard or fragment, so choose an appropriate size, supervise fast eaters, and avoid them for very small or fragile teeth.

KONG's Dental Stick is a fun enrichment tool that, in our experience, encourages chewing with ridges that help clean teeth and gums. We like stuffing it with paste or kibble to extend engagement, and the multiple sizes make matching breeds straightforward. However, it's not for power chewers - some dogs can tear off pieces, creating a choking risk - so inspect frequently and supervise use. If your dog is an aggressive chewer, consider a tougher dental chew or a different enrichment toy.

During testing, the BARK Bright Durable Dental Kit proved longer-lasting than standard treats, and the chew’s ridges and grooves do a good job spreading the included toothpaste to scrub plaque while your dog gnaws. We like the size options and the all-in-one convenience at $34.99, but the gel dispenser can clog and the toothpaste/chew can feel a little greasy in hand. Some dogs reject the taste, so introduce slowly, start with brief sessions, and rinse the dispenser tip after each use.

During our review, ProDen PlaqueOff Dental Care Bones in Mint Fusion earned points for a VOHC-accepted formula and a kelp-based ingredient that targets plaque while helping freshen breath and support gum health. We like that there are multiple sizes and flavors at $16.99, but some dogs reject the Mint Fusion taste, and smaller or senior pups may find these too large or firm. Our advice: pick the appropriate size, consider a different flavor if mint is a miss, and inspect packaging for swelling or spoilage before use.

Blue Buffalo Dental Bones appeal to owners avoiding rawhide, and in our review the rawhide-free recipe and breath-freshening design made daily use simple. With multiple sizes available, we could match chews to different dogs for better plaque removal. Be aware some dogs, especially seniors, find these too hard, and buyers report inconsistencies between advertised and actual size. Ingredient choices like pea protein also give some owners pause, so check the label if your dog has sensitivities or you're ingredient-conscious.

In our testing, C.E.T. Enzymatic Chews delivered solid plaque and tartar control thanks to their dual-enzyme formula, and most dogs were eager to chomp the poultry or beef flavors. We appreciate the range of sizes at $26.99, but we did notice variability in piece size within a bag, so pick carefully and supervise, especially for small mouths. A few reviewers reported adverse effects and they can be too hard for very small or elderly dogs, so consult your vet if your pup has fragile teeth.

We found Milk-Bone Brushing Chews to be easy crowd-pleasers—most dogs look forward to them—and with regular use they help keep breath fresher between brushings. Buying in bulk at $16.06 delivers solid value per chew, but results on plaque and tartar removal vary, so consider them a complement to brushing rather than a replacement. A few dogs experience tummy upset and daily use can add up cost-wise, so start slowly, monitor digestion, and budget if you’re planning a long-term routine.

During our review, Merrick Fresh Kisses Mint Breath Strips impressed us with quick breath-freshening and a brush-shaped texture that makes good contact with teeth as dogs chew. Our experience shows most pups love the minty taste, making these easy to offer as a post-walk refresher or between-brushing treat, especially at the budget-friendly $9.48 price. That said, the mint scent can be strong, and some dogs see only short-lived improvement—or refuse the flavor altogether—so monitor acceptance and results before making it a daily routine.