As with any other product, dental chews have their good and bad sides. And as with almost anything I’ve covered, you will find people who will say they are absolute nonsense and dogs don’t need them. They can chew on bones! Then there is the other side, who swear dental chews helped their dogs get rid of bad breath or tartar buildup. It’s not that simple. Because both parties are right and wrong.

The Truth About Dental Chews For Dogs

First of all, what are dental chews for dogs? They are‌ pet products aimed at keeping your dog’s teeth and gums healthy. People have been giving dogs something to chew on for as long as we’ve had dogs. But one of the earliest well-known examples of what we now think of as a “dental chew treat” is called “Greenies”. It was invented in 1996 by Joe and Judy Roetheli.

Today, it seems as if we have hundreds of different dental chews. But the purpose is still the same: to help dogs keep their oral cavities healthy. So, does it help?

My opinion is yes! But not all of them! We need to pick the right one according to our dog’s size, breed type, and chewing habits.

Dental Chew Pros

1. Reduces dental diseases (reduced tartar buildup, mechanically cleans the teeth, helps keep the breath fresh)
2. Helps keep the dog mentally stimulated (dogs can spend hours chewing on their dental sticks, especially if their flavor and material complement one another)
3. Helps with the chewing issue (for more detailed information, check the article: Puppy chewing and biting) 
4. A good reward after the training (healthier than some other treat-rewards)

The whole idea behind dental chews is to give dogs something to clean their teeth instead of actual tooth brushing. However, dental chews cannot completely replace teeth brushing, but they are better than nothing.

A lot of dental chews also have special ingredients to make the dog’s breath fresh. They also have special enzymes to fight the bacteria in the oral flora and keep the oral cavity healthy, including all its parts.

Dental Chew Cons

1. Ingredient safety issues (only a few are according to the VOHC standards)
2. Choking hazard
3. The wrong type can cause dental issues, such as a cracked tooth or cut gums
4. Too much can lead to weight issues (it’s a treat, after all)

The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) keeps track of animal products and verifies their safety. However, it doesn’t mean that if something doesn’t have a VOHC approval that it’s bad. But still, it’s a good thing to find a product that has passed yet another safety check. 

Here are dental chew products approved by the VOHC:

• Greenies
• Virbac C.E.T. Veggiedent chews
• WHIMZEES “Brushzees” dental treats
• OraVet Dental Hygiene Chews
• Hill’s Science Diet Canine Oral Care Chews
• Purina DentaLife Daily Oral Care Dog Treats
• Pedigree Dentastix Advanced
• ProDen PlaqueOff Soft Chews

You can see the full product list on the official VOHC page (click here) which includes other products, not just dental chews.

Some dogs are heavy chewers and can chew a treat in a matter of minutes. This can also lead to dogs swallowing large, hard, ragged pieces, which can cause internal damage to the entire digestive system. Not only can it scratch the inside of the esophagus, it can also cause blockage and upset stomach.

On the other hand, these big pieces can get stuck in the throat causing choking, or if the piece is too small, a dog can inhale it. Which is why we have to be sure we give our dogs the proper dental chews. First choice would be the ones on the VOHIC-approved list.

Avoid Rawhide

Rawhide, a chew for dogs, comes from the inner layer of animal hides, like cows or horses, a byproduct of the leather trade. It is a common chew treat for dogs, but there is a lot of controversy surrounding it. 

1. Place of origin. Not everyone properly cares about how these dental chews for dogs are made. Most manufacturers treat them with chemicals such as formaldehyde, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide. Rawhide, if not prepared correctly, can be contaminated and become a source of bacteria, posing a significant health risk to your dog.
2. Safety. It is a durable dog chew, but rawhide is the number one reason for choking hazards and blockages in dogs, with all the other consequential health issues.

Natural Alternatives

If you don’t want to give your dog one of the dental chews from the VOHC list, there are other choices:

• Bully sticks
• Tendons
• Dried fish skin 

This dog chew is a single-ingredient product made from a bull’s penis. This product is suitable for all dogs, and we recommend it to heavy chewers. They don’t break down easily; however, we should still pay attention to what the dog is doing. They can break as well, but are completely digestible.

Tendons are usually made from beef, but some are made of turkey as well. Once again, the product is digestible. But don’t let your dog swallow the whole tendon stick. These are chewable, made for chewing, not for swallowing whole. Although they are digestible, the sheer size can cause digestive issues.

Finally, dried fish skin should be bought from a responsible source to avoid any health issues. One example is Hundur’s Crunch Jerky Fingers. People have high ratings, and they follow all the protocols to ensure health safety.

Choose The Right Chew

Another important factor is how hard the dental chew is. We cannot give the same dental chew to a Chihuahua and a Rottweiler. Press the dental chew with your fingers to feel how hard it is. Consult the vet or other dog owners, or someone at the pet store. Finally, it’s always better to choose a softer dental chew the first time, and then get harder ones as you observe your dog.

Unfortunately, a broken tooth is not a rare thing. That’s why avoid rawhide, which is very hard, and test several softer dog chews before you settle for the one that suits your dog best. And always go first with the ones on the VOHC list.

Summary

Bottom line, yes, dental chews for dogs are a great way to keep a dog’s teeth and gums healthy. They prevent tartar and plaque buildup, help reduce bad breath, and if used properly can be a great source of entertainment for dogs of all ages. We should choose the products approved by the VOHC, but other choices are available too, such as bully sticks, tendons, or dried fish chews. Whatever you choose, be sure to pay attention to what your dog does with the chewable. They shouldn’t swallow it whole. Also, make sure you give the right chew to the right dog. Not every dog has a hard bite and is a heavy chewer. 

Cover photo by James Lacy