Best Dog Dental Chews [2023 review]

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We wish you could have witnessed our vets’ debate about which are the best dog dental chews. It was a heated debate, but we finally managed to cherry-pick 5 products they would recommend. There is no doubt dental hygiene is important, and most of the vets we have spoken with have agreed the best thing would be to regularly brush your dog’s teeth. However, we are aware that it is sometimes impossible, and no matter how hard we try, the dog just won’t accept the toothbrush.

Picking dog dental chews

They still need their teeth clean and healthy, so the next best thing is dental chews. We didn’t want to give weak recommendations, so we interviewed 10 different veterinarians and picked the best vet-recommended dog dental chews. Before you choose one that will be best for your dog, here are some things you should look out for in dog dental chews;

Owners that advise against teeth cleaning

One of the most dangerous thing for new dog owners is experienced owners that advise on teeth cleaning and hygiene. Their logic is often simple - if wolves and other wild canids don’t brush their teeth, then how important is it for my dog? The truth is - very important. Wolves live about 4 - 5 years in the wild, and dogs often live 3 times longer. That means their teeth need to be in perfect shape longer. Wild canids strip the meat off the bones and clean their teeth naturally. They also lose their teeth relatively early, which leads to starvation and death. Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that dental hygiene isn’t crucial for your dog.

Veterinary Oral Hygiene Council seal of approval

When it comes to vet-recommended dog dental chews, there are non better than dental chews submitted to the Veterinary Oral Hygiene Council for testing. Not all dental chews are the same, and whenever possible, look for chews that have the VOHC seal of approval. There are no better recommendations than that.

Source

Like with any other product, different manufacturers use various products in their dental chews. We are always for the option that comes from countries we generally trust. Look for manufacturers from the US, Europe, UK, Australia, Canada, or New Zealand. These countries have strict regulations and testing, so you can be relatively sure your dog is chewing on safe and healthy ingredients. That doesn’t mean other countries can’t make great products, but we will leave testing to them.

If you want to know more about the importance of dental hygiene, check out this article - Dog teeth cleaning.

Vet advice

Not many dog owners know that dental chews can be bought in pet shops, AND your vet can prescribe special dental chews that are available only with a prescription. It is a good idea to talk to your vet about your dog’s oral hygiene. Ask them for their input and advice, and check if your dog might benefit from dental chews that are available only with a prescription.

Size

When it comes to dog dental chews, size is critical. It is counterproductive to give your large Mastiff vet-recommended dental chews for small dogs. They will simply eat the chew, and it will do nothing for their dental health. Make sure you order the correct size of dental chews for your dog.

Potential risks

Unfortunately, there are some risks associated with dental chews. Dogs with strong jaws might easily chew through them and ingest a larger piece of a dental chew. The problem is that these chews are tough, and they will not break down so quickly. You should limit your dog’s time with a dental chew and make sure you take it away if you notice the chew is breaking into small pieces. Ingested pieces can cause gastrointestinal upsets and blockage. A blockage is considered a medical emergency. If you notice any signs of problems, you should contact your vet immediately.

Now that you know what the most important things to look for in vet-recommended dog dental chews are, here are the five products our veterinarians managed to agree upon;

Dog owners need to make sure they pick healthy dog treats. Check out this article for some suggestions - Best dog treats.

World Dog Finder team