If you’ve managed to secure a pup who is calm, collected and relaxed when it comes to brushing their teeth, good for you. You’ve won the lottery.
Most of us struggle to get a bristle anywhere near the general vicinity of our dog’s face. Brushing your canine’s teeth is within the same realm as nail clipping: impossible, borderline life-threatening and better left to the professionals.
Nevertheless, even the pups who can withstand the horrors of teeth brushing require a little bit of extra help. This assistance usually comes in the form of healthy and tasty teeth-strengthening treats that’ll get those Pavlovian doggos excited about dental health – even if all they understand is a yummy treat.
Why should I give my dog dental chews?
Dental chews come in many different forms and can target everything from gum health, plaque and bacteria build-up, to bad breath, puppy teething and even digestive issues. The bottom line as to why dental chews are so good for your pup is that they keep them entertained, trained and their teeth and gums wonderfully healthy. Let’s break down the different types of chews.
- Classic chews: are designed to be chewed on slowly in order to massage your dog’s gums and clean their teeth. They’ll most commonly look like a standard, medium-long stick.
- Textured chews: come in different shapes, sizes and textures in order to last even longer than your classic chew. These are particularly good for more aggressive chewers who will devour a normal dental stick in sub 60 seconds.
- Plaque-fighting chews: dental treats which specifically target plaque and the bacteria that causes it are great for dogs who have a really hard time with teeth brushing, even at the vet or groomer.
- Prebiotic and Probiotic chews: just like for humans, a healthy dose of prebiotics and probiotics helps to balance the gut microbiome. The main difference between probiotic and prebiotic support is that the former maintains and improves good bacteria in the gut, while the latter is highly fibrous foods which nourish and ‘feed’ the probiotics. You should be on the lookout for dental chews with an extra boost of good bacteria if your pup has known digestive issues.
Without further ado, keep scrolling for a round-up of the best dental chews for your dogs to keep their teeth healthy, shiny and plaque-free.
Best dental chews for dogs at a glance:
- Best for grain-free treats: Forthglade Dental Sticks - £3 for 5 sticks, Forthglade
- Best for classic chews: Pedigree Dentastix - Fresh Daily Dental Chews Medium Dog - £29.98, Amazon
- Best for a healthy gut: Gut Pup - Prebiotic Banana Bread Dental Chews - £7.99, Nuts for Pets
- Best for all-natural ingredients: Small Woofbrush Gut Health Dental Chew (multipack) - £8.50, Lily’s Kitchen
- Best for extra prebiotic support: PetLab Co. Prebiotic Dental Sticks - £19.95, Amazon
- Best for textured chews: Whimzees By Wellness Variety Box, Mixed Shapes, Natural and Grain-Free Dog Chews - £18.99, Amazon
- Best for extra probiotic support: Dental Probiotic Meaty Treats - £3.99, Pooch & Mutt
- Best for a daily supplement: Daily Dental Supplement Treats for Dogs - £11.99, Pets Purest
Forthglade
Best for: grain-free treats
Forthglade has been making natural, wet and dry grain-free dog food in Devon since 1971. Uncomplicated recipes mean your pup is only fed the best of the best.
Its range includes the turkey, duck and lamb natural wet dog food (from £22.25) which is packed with vegetables, protein, vitamins and minerals, and the popular duck grain-free cold pressed natural dry dog food (from £16.49).
It’s also your one-stop shop for treats and dental sticks, with its plant-based dental sticks available for as little as £3 for five sticks, and will help keep your dog’s teeth strong and breath fresh.
Buy now, Forthglade
Pedigree Dentastix - Fresh Daily Dental Chews Medium Dog
Best for: classic chews
Starting off strong, Pedigree is the most common brand of dental chews you’ll find for dogs in the UK. You can buy them in most supermarkets, or bulk buy them online if you already know your doggo goes crazy for them. Though they’re relatively easy to break up into smaller pieces for treats on the go, when given to your pup whole they’ll last long enough for them to receive all the added health benefits.
Pedigree Dentastix is said to reduce tartar build-up by up to 80 per cent, clean hard-to-reach teeth, support healthy gums and even promote fresher breath thanks to the addition of green tea and eucalyptus oil. However, if you’re worried about your pup’s reaction to these ingredients, you can purchase Pedigree Dentastix without the daily fresh plus ingredients. All Dentastix are available in packs dedicated to small, medium and larger dogs.
Buy now £29.98, Amazon
Small Woofbrush Gut Health Dental Chew (multipack)
Best for: all-natural ingredients
Though the bubbly, tree bark-like texture on these chews is slightly different to the classic type you’ll see in pet supply stores, it has been designed specifically to reach your pup’s gumline in order to more effectively fight plaque.
Another pack of dental chews that are great for both your dog’s teeth and their gut, Lily’s Kitchen Woofbrush treats include inulin from chicory root for prebiotic support and psyllium seed husk for added fibre. The all-natural ingredients also help to promote fresher breath.
Once again, Lily’s Kitchen treats are available for mini, small, medium and large dogs. The small treats we’ve featured here are suitable for pups ranging from 6-10kg.
Buy now £8.50, Lily’s Kitchen
PetLab Co. Prebiotic Dental Sticks
Best for: extra prebiotic support
These multi-purpose dental chews target oral health, hygiene, freshness as well as healthy digestion. Key ingredients used to make these treats extra healthy include oatmeal flour, mint, organic coconut oil and ground flaxseed. Just like Lily’s Kitchen, these treats also contain chicory root inulin as their main source of prebiotic protein.
They’re suitable for all types of dogs at all stages of life and can be broken up into pieces depending on the size of your pup and how aggressive of a chewer they are.
Buy now £19.95, Amazon
Whimzees By Wellness Variety Box, Mixed Shapes, Natural and Grain-Free Dog Chews
Best for: textured chews
Enough variety to keep your dog entertained for aeons, this multi-pack of Whimzees by Wellness Variety Box is the dental chews your anxious chomper has been waiting for. Though on the slightly more expensive side, these grain-free and all-natural textured chews will not only take a while for your dog to get through, but they’ll massage your pup’s gums and fill their tummies with a wide range of healthy nutrients. They’re also available as classic chews.
Buy now £18.99, Amazon
Pooch & Mutt Dental Probiotic Meaty Treats
Best for: extra probiotic support
These meaty treats from Pooch & Mutt are hypoallergenic, puppy-friendly and flavoured with delicious duck and rosemary to keep your pup coming back for more. Reasonably priced and available to purchase in bulk, these grain-free dental chews are great for pups with sensitive tummies who need a little bit of extra support in both the gut and oral health departments.
With sage and rosemary to help prevent plaque-causing bacteria and aid gum care, SHMP to prevent tartar formation and collagen to promote gum healing – these bite-sized dental chews are a great way to train and reward your dog with all the added health benefits. Plus, they’re shaped like cute little teeth.
Buy now £3.99, Pooch & Mutt
Gut Pup - Prebiotic Banana Bread Dental Chews
Best for: a healthy gut
These prebiotic dental chews offer the best of both worlds when it comes to your pup: a healthy gut and happy teeth. Each banana-flavoured dental chew contains three different types of prebiotic fibre to help maintain your pup’s gut microbiome. The grain-free recipe is chock full of antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and immune-boosting ingredients, including six different types of vitamins, five different minerals, prebiotic protein as well as omegas three and six.
Gut Pup chews are free from gluten, lactose, heavy metals, GMOs and antibiotics – yet are said to contain three times more protein than beef. Now that’s a treat for the healthiest of pups. These dental chews are suitable for all ages and breeds.
Buy now £7.99, Nuts for Pets
Daily Dental Supplement Treats for Dogs
Best for: a daily supplement
Formulated from a plaque-fighting, breath-freshening and immune-boosting blend of wild whole sprats, coconut flakes and flour, knotted wrack seaweed and natural antioxidants – we’d be surprised if you can’t see your reflection in your dog’s pearly white after a few weeks of use.
Buy now £11.99, Pets Purest
