Top-Rated Dental Chews for Small Dogs: Keep Teeth Healthy

Greenies Original Teenie is our top-rated choice, earning a perfect 10/10 for small dogs thanks to VOHC acceptance, everyday ease, and outstanding palatability. In our testing, the unique chewy texture and powdered cellulose helped reduce plaque and tartar when given daily, and the 5-15 lb size fit toy mouths perfectly. Do supervise: some dogs gulp, and a few experience GI upset; it also contains wheat and gluten. For routine, proven oral care, this is the benchmark other chews chase.

Purina Pro Plan Dental Chewz earned 7.5/10 for VOHC-accepted tartar control and a long-lasting beefhide texture that kept our small testers engaged. In our testing, the high-protein, low-fat profile made them easy to fit into a treat routine, but we strongly recommend supervision for small breeds and cutting pieces for tiny mouths due to occasional sticky fragments and choking reports. Some buyers also flagged unsealed packaging and small counts for the price. If you want clinical backing without a splurge, this sits just behind Tartar Shield (8/10).

With an 8.5/10, C.E.T. VeggieDent Fr3sh stands out as a clinical, plant-based choice for small dogs. In our testing, its VOHC-accepted formula and porous chew with ground corn cob helped reduce tartar, while inulin and pomegranate supported fresher breath. Some pups did eat them quickly, which can blunt the cleaning benefit, and sensitive dogs may react to erythritol or the corn cob content, so monitor early feeds and supervise chewing. Available in sizes down to Extra Small, one chew daily is an easy routine to stick with.

Pedigree Dentastix Fresh scores 7/10 and delivers strong everyday value: the X-shaped chew and sodium tripolyphosphate helped reduce buildup in our small-breed testers, while peppermint, parsley, and green tea freshened breath. Sized for 7-22 lb adults, it's an easy daily routine, though some pieces can be quite hard; monitor sensitive chewers and introduce with water if needed. A few dogs had digestive upset, and eucalyptus oil and colorants may be a concern for ingredient-selective owners. For budget daily use, it trails Greenies (10/10) and Tartar Shield (8/10).

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Wild Bones are tasty and sized for 5-15 lb dogs, but at 5/10 they trail the leaders in consistent tartar control. During our review, the grain-free formula with potato, pea protein, and blueberry extract made them highly palatable, yet the lack of VOHC certification showed in variable cleaning results. They're also relatively pricey for what you get. We see these as an occasional treat that small dogs love, while relying on higher-scoring chews for daily dental duty.

If you prefer a natural approach, Proden PlaqueOff Mini Bones earned 6.5/10 with A.N. ProDen seaweed intended to reduce plaque and tartar for toy and small breeds. During our review, many dogs liked the Vegetable Fusion flavor and the bones can be halved for 4-10 lb pups, but some sensitive stomachs balked and a few dogs refused the taste. Because kelp is iodine-rich, skip this for thyroid-affected pets and puppies under 6 months. For cleaner ingredients, it's appealing, though we saw more consistent results from VOHC picks.

Ark Naturals' Brushless Toothpaste earned 6.5/10 in our review for noticeably fresher breath, using natural actives like L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, glucose oxidase, and aromatic spices. We found palatability strong for small dogs 8-20 lbs, but batch-to-batch hardness can vary, which may frustrate sensitive chewers; start with close supervision. It isn't VOHC-certified, so cleaning results can be less consistent than VOHC-backed options like Tartar Shield (8/10) or Purina Dental Chewz (7.5/10). As a daily breath aid, though, it's a convenient, tasty supplement.

Merrick Fresh Kisses scored 6/10 in our guide: the double-brush shape contacts teeth well and the peppermint, lemongrass, rosemary, and coconut oils leave breath noticeably fresher. In our testing, cleaning felt more supportive than transformative, and the lack of a VOHC seal keeps it behind higher-rated options. We also saw occasional tummy upset in sensitive small dogs, so start slowly. For adult pups around 15-25 lb that love a minty chew, it's a pleasant breath booster, not a primary tartar solution.

Looking for a simple-ingredient chew, we found Bocce's Bakery Brushy Sticks appealing for small dogs 5-25 lbs thanks to the bristle-shaped design and breath-freshening peppermint, parsley, and kelp. In our testing, the soft, brush-style texture proved moderately effective but lacked the abrasive oomph we see from higher-scoring picks like Dentastix (7/10) or Tartar Shield (8/10). Several owners also reported digestive upset, so introduce slowly and supervise. While its 6/10 score reflects those trade-offs, ingredient-conscious shoppers may still appreciate the limited, recognizable recipe.

Scoring 8/10, Tartar Shield Soft Rawhide Chews impressed us with VOHC-backed, clinically tested ingredients (CPC and sodium tripolyphosphate) that target tartar and bacteria. In our testing, the bacon flavor and soft texture with some give suited many small dogs under 35 lbs, including sensitive mouths; toy breeds can use a half chew daily. A few batches arrived firmer than expected, so monitor the first chew, and the cost per piece is higher than budget picks. If you want clinical credibility without going full prescription, this is a standout.

For puppies 6 months and up, GREENIES Puppy Teenie earned an 8/10 for its gentler, chewy texture and added DHA, calcium, and vitamins that support development. In our testing, small-breed pups (5-15 lbs) handled the softer chew well, and the mechanical cleaning from powdered cellulose helped freshen breath between brushings. That said, it contains wheat and other grains and still needs close supervision to prevent gulping; stick to one per day. For daily puppy care, it's a smart bridge to adult VOHC options.

Great for keeping chewers busy, Himalayan Dog Chews are long-lasting, limited-ingredient treats made from yak and cow milk, salt, and lime; dogs love the cheesy flavor. In our testing, the ultra-hard texture gave only moderate cleaning and, at 4.5/10, it's the weakest fit in this small-dog dental guide. We also saw GI upset and worry about chipped teeth in aggressive chewers, so supervise, especially with pups up to ~15 lbs. At $11.99, treat it as an occasional boredom-buster and rely on VOHC-backed options like Greenies or DentaLife for tartar control.

For teething small-breed puppies, N-Bone's Peanut Butter Teething Sticks offer a pliable chew that soothes sore gums and adds DHA and calcium for development. During our review, we saw moderate cleaning at best; they're not designed to tackle adult tartar like Dentastix (7/10) or Greenies Teenie (10/10), which explains the 5.5/10 score. Some pups weren't interested, so you may need to rotate flavors. As an inexpensive, wheat-, corn-, and soy-free teething aid, they're comforting, but graduate to a true dental chew as adult teeth emerge.

If you're budget-minded, Milk-Bone Brushing Chews scored 7/10 for delivering everyday cleaning at a low price. Our experience shows the twist design with nubs and ridges scrubs well for quick daily maintenance, and most dogs happily take them thanks to the tasty mint or chicken flavor. Downsides: some sensitive pups get tummy upset, and fast eaters can finish them too quickly to maximize cleaning. They're a good starter chew, but not a replacement for brushing or VOHC-backed heavy hitters.

Whimzees Alligator Dental Chew is a fun, veggie-based, grain-free option that our small-breed testers enjoyed, though it earned a 6.5/10 overall. During our review, the textured alligator shape and high-hardness formula did a solid job scraping plaque, but that same firmness can pose a choking risk if a dog tries to swallow large pieces; supervision is key. We also noted occasional digestive upset in sensitive pups and less consistent value than VOHC-backed choices. Best for adult dogs 9+ months and roughly 10-25 lbs.

OraVet Dental Hygiene Chews scored 8/10 for bringing a true clinical twist to daily care: delmopinol HCl coats teeth and gums to reduce bacterial attachment and halitosis. In our experience, the individually wrapped pieces make dosing easy, and small-dog sizes fit toy mouths well. Results can vary and a few dogs disliked the texture or found the chew too firm, so introduce gradually. If you want more than mechanical scrubbing, OraVet is a credible step up from standard treats.

Purina DentaLife earned a 9.5/10 and is our best value pick: VOHC-accepted, affordable, and proven to reduce tartar by about 57 percent in studies. During our testing, the porous texture and eight ridges reached those back teeth better than many pricier chews, and most dogs loved the chicken flavor. Sensitive stomachs can react, and pieces may be large for toy breeds - cut them to fit. If you want near top-tier results without the top-tier price, this is the daily chew to beat.

Our top-rated choice at 10/10, Greenies Blueberry Teenie consistently impressed us with small-dog sizing (5-15 lbs) and a texture that scrubs to the gumline for measurable plaque and tartar reduction. In our testing, breath improved quickly and acceptance was excellent, rivaling or outperforming VeggieDent (8.5/10) and other picks in this guide. Do watch calories at roughly 25 kcal per treat and monitor for sensitivities to natural flavors. For tiny mouths that need daily cleaning, this is the most reliable, universally liked option we tried.