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Keeping up with your dog's oral hygiene is one of the best things that you can do to benefit his overall health and well-being. They aren't a replacement for regular brushing, but the best dog dental treats can help keep a pet's mouth healthy between brushing sessions.
There are many nooks and crannies in a dog's mouth. These are the spots where plaque and bacteria can hide. Brushing your dog's teeth is important, but gnawing on a dog dental treat or chew can help to remove this plaque before it turns into tartar and begins eating away at your pup's teeth.
Just like humans, dogs can contract periodontal disease if their teeth are not kept clean. If left untreated, dental problems in canines can lead to damaged gums and broken teeth. At the very least, this could cause your pet to not want to eat. Even canned food could cause pain for the dog when eating.
Dental hygiene isn't just something that you should do for your dog; it's something that you must do to keep him in optimal health. The pros and cons of these best dog dental treats are explained below. Here's a sneak peek of the products that made our list.
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Greenies Original Large Natural Dental Care Dog... | 20,844 Reviews | Check Price |
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PEDIGREE DENTASTIX Fresh Breath Large Dog Dental... | 18,722 Reviews | Check Price |
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Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews, Small... | 5,056 Reviews | Check Price |
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Dingo Tartar And Breath Dental Sticks For All... | 8,646 Reviews | Check Price |
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Nylabone Nutri Dent Filet Mignon Dog Dental Chews... | 2,427 Reviews | Check Price |
Why and When Your Dog Needs Dental Treats
Dental care is very important for dogs. In severe cases, bacteria from the mouth could leech into the bloodstream and negatively effect the organs of your dog's body. Studies have shown that periodontal disease in dogs has been linked to heart disease. This condition has also been linked to liver and kidney damage in dogs.
While brushing a dog's teeth is the best way to prevent any potential problems associated with dental disease in dogs, pets that chew more simply have less plaque and tartar buildup on their teeth.
The simple action of chewing allows the toy, bone or dental dog treat to scrape your dog's teeth and clean off some of the buildup – some, not all. Always remember that even the best dog dental treats are not an acceptable substitute for regular brushing.
Similar to dog dental water additives, some of these doggy dental chew products claim to reduce plaque by up to 70%. It's important to choose a dental treat or chew that has been approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council. This organization evaluates commercial dog chews and dental treats for dogs to ensure they meet the standards for actually reducing plaque and tartar.
In order to obtain the VOHC seal of approval, products must reduce plaque or tartar by at least 10%. If the product is coated with a chemical anti-plaque agent, it has to reduce plaque and tartar by at least 20% to receive approval.
The best dog dental treats and chews can also help to reduce bad breath in pets. This reason alone is what spurs a lot of owners to buy these types of products for their pooch. These products will also benefit your pet's gums by keeping them clean and strong.
Just be sure to purchase dog chews and dental treats for dogs that are the right size for your pet. If you provide your large dog with a treat that is too small, he could choke on it. A treat that is too big for a small dog won't be as effective at cleaning treat as an appropriately sized product.
Top 5 Best Dog Dental Treats and Chews
1Greenies Original Dental Dog Treats
by Greenies
On top of the list is Greenies Original Dental Dog Treats. They have a rough texture and are shaped like a toothbrush. There are four sizes available – Teenie, Petite, Regular, and Large. Constant use of this chew prevents plaque and tartar buildup. Only natural ingredients were used in its production to ensure that it’s wholesome, safe, and easy to digest.
- Contains one (1) 27 oz....
- The unique texture of GREENIES...
- GREENIES Treats for Dogs are...
- Treat your big dog...
- GREENIES Dog Treats are...
These best dog dental treats must taste very good because dogs are so excited whenever they know they’re about to get one. Dogs love gnawing on these, so they achieve their purpose of stimulating the gum and cleaning down to the gum line. A pleased dog owner says that after a while of giving Greenies Original Dental Dog Treats to their dog, they observed that, indeed, less plaque was formed, and their dog’s mouth smelled fresher.
The long shape makes it easier for the “bristle” part to work on the teeth and gums along the deeper recesses. Other dental chews don’t usually reach these parts. Dog owners suggest the use of the recommended size for optimum efficacy and safety. The Large size, for instance, is for pets 50-100 pounds in weight. The correct size encourages gnawing instead of just taking a few bites and then swallowing.
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2Pedigree Dentastix Large Dog Treats
by Pedigree
Pedigree Dentastix are one of the best dog dental treats for a number of reasons. Simply hand your pooch a Pedigree Dentastix Treat every day and that’s it. It comes in a cool fresh peppermint flavor that provides triple-action efficiency – it cleans teeth thoroughly, freshens up breath, reduces tartar and plaque buildup, and prevents gum disease.
- Contains one (1) 1.52 lb....
- PEDIGREE DENTASTIX: Triple...
- Our dental treat sticks have a...
- Feed one Pedigree Dentastix...
- Pedigree dentastix dental...
The dental dog treat has an X-shaped cross-section that cleans between teeth and the gum line. There are other flavors, too, such as the Beef, Bacon, Original, and Variety.
Pet owners say that this treat serves a double purpose – as a treat during training and as a delicious alternative to brushing. It does cut the cost for this two-in-one pet supply, not to mention the high cost of dental procedures and vet fees. Buyers say they have noticed that Pedigree Dentastix Large Dog Treats quickly reduced tartar accumulation significantly.
Dogs love this treat and their owners couldn’t be any happier. Some picky dogs prefer the meaty flavors, but the mint-flavored version remains a hit to most dogs. This has simplified the daily pet care routine and definitely made it more effective. Now both dogs and their owners look forward to what used to be a tiresome task they avoided – what could possibly be better than that?
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3Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews
by Virbac
This enzymatic oral hygiene chew from Virbac is one of the most affordable items on our list and also one of the most effective. Its unique Dual-Enzyme System – a combination of antiseptic and abrasive properties – destroys plaque-producing microbes that cause nasty buildups and foul-smelling breath.
- 1 SMALL ENZYMATIC CHEWS BAG:...
- DAILY DENTAL CARE: Features an...
- HIGHLY PALATABLE: The chews...
- VET RECOMMENDED: The C. E. T....
- CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Virbac is...
These dental pet treats are made from prime-quality beef hide that’s not only chewy but really delicious. These best dog dental treats come in a pack of 30 and are available in four sizes from small to extra large.
Dog owners couldn’t believe how these chews turned their dogs’ awfully bad teeth into awesome pearly whites. Their pets were initially recommended for dental cleaning and plaque removal procedures under anesthesia, but after only two weeks of using Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews, significant improvement was observed. Their dogs’ teeth were visibly cleaner and their breath fresher. They didn’t need to put their pets through the procedure anymore, and they saved on a huge expense.
This product has helped eliminate various dental health issues, ranging from tooth decay, infected gums, plaque accumulation, and bad breath. Even vets were amazed at the extent of the transformation they saw and couldn’t believe how issues were resolved in such a short time without professional intervention.
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4Dingo Dental Sticks for Dogs
by Dingo
Just like the original Dingo Munchy Stix, the Dental Sticks provide the same delicious chicken taste with the added tang of parsley seed. It makes dental care for your canine pets easy and stress-free. All you have to do is hand over the treat and it will do the rest – clean the teeth and massage the gums for vet-free oral hygiene.
- Dental Sticks Offer The Same...
- The Irresistible Flavor Of...
- Teeth Cleaning Dental Sticks...
- Dog'S Natural Chewing Action...
- Packaging May Vary
You may choose from different package sizes, from as few as 10 counts per pack to as many as 192 counts per pack. These nutritious munchies were prepared from natural ingredients, including rawhide, real chicken, and parsley seed oil.
Dogs love every bite of this dental chew with its fresh parsley smell and real chicken in the middle. It’s so delicious that dogs would have never suspected or cared that it also has a more practical purpose – Dingo Dental Sticks remove stuck food between teeth, and the vigorous chewing massages the gums.
Dog owners sum up their views about Dingo Dental Sticks as dental care made easy. The treats are long strips but much smaller and thinner than most other brands. This way they are easier to break if given to small dogs to avoid choking. It’s also a way to use the treat economically. The green color does not stain the floor or carpet, which is one less thing to worry about.
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5Nylabone Nutri Dent Complete Dog Treat Bones
by Nylabone
When regular brushing in dogs is not practicable, Nylabone Nutri Dent Complete Treats offer a perfect alternative. The 360-degree cleaning action that it offers is a unique feature for your dog’s oral cavity health. It is made from all-natural ingredients and enriched with vitamins and minerals to ensure your dog’s dental and physical health.
- Highly digestible chew treats...
- Nutri Dent dental dog treats...
- Natural dental chews freshen...
- Each chew treat includes...
- Our highly digestible dog chew...
Pet owners are very careful when it comes to food and treats for their pets, and Nylabone is one of the few names they trust. Nylabone Nutri Dent Complete Dog Treat Bones for Petite Dogs are made in the USA and contain no artificial ingredients or coloring. They found out that these dental chews worked great and were easy on their pets’ tummies. There were no changes in stool or any adverse reactions whatsoever.
Nutri Dent made it possible for the dental care task to be stress-free and performed daily instead of weekly brushing with a regular toothbrush. The 360-degree scrubbing action that wipes plaque off way is a feature that is not available in other dental treats. So, for those looking for an alternative to brushing, then it would be Nutri Dent and no other.
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