Improve your pet’s oral health with dental yummies – they’ll have clean teeth and minty breath, and, as a bonus, get to munch on delicious treats!
Dogs who wouldn’t sell their pawrents for a treat are as rare as the Dodo bird. My own pooches would betray me in under a second, as I’m painfully aware, for anything edible. Seriously, anyone who has a few treats in their pocket is their new best friend- and, trust me, they already get more than enough treats as it is.
Since they’re such fiends for bite-sized yummies, I try to kill two birds with one stone, as they say, and usually give them dental treats instead of plain ones. That way, their teeth are clean and their breath fresh (as much as it can be), and they’re happy to boot.
These are some of my doggo’s favorites!
In its very name, this product promises some minty smooches, and, boy, does it deliver! These toothbrush-shaped treats are (according to my four-legged testers) delicious, and they leave behind pearly canines with a coconuty-minty breath. Of course, the freshness will last about 20 minute tops, when the Eau de doggo makes a smelly comeback.
One of my dogs has problems with allergies, and these treats are one of the rare I can give her. They are vegetarian, GMO-free, gluten free, grain free and contain no artificial colors or flavors, so she can safely nibble on the cute crocodiles without scratching like crazy afterward. These particular are for small breeds, but they do come in medium and large, so sensitive pooches of all sizes can enjoy them.
I love when a single product offers multiple benefits- and these dental treats fit the bill. Not only that the grain-free strips fight tartar and plaque buildup, but these yummies also promote healthy skin and coat. These natural treats are fortified with essential amino acids from fish oil and algae.
If you want some heavy duty breath freshening in addition to clean molars, go with these. I mean, you have to be a seriously smelly smoocher if a combo of vanilla, peppermint, parsley, and chlorophyll can’t help you. For pooches with sophisticated taste buds (a nice way to say weird), they have other flavors like banana yogurt or peanut and carob.
My poodle loves these- they’re small enough for her but challenging enough that she feels like one of the big guys while she tries to destroy these chicken-flavored disks. The ridges are particularly great for removing plaque, and the combo of hard texture and appealing taste are bound to keep your tiny doggo engaged.
These plant-based goodies are animal & cruelty-free and chock full of wholesome ingredients. Also, since they don’t contain any animal products, wheat, corn, soy, gluten, dairy, or dubious fillers, these yummy vegan dog treats are also great for pooches with food allergies. The only downside is that my dogs love these so much, we go through a bag in no time.
OK, these might not have any bells and whistles like fancy shapes and MasterChef-worthy flavors, but dogs enjoy them, and they do a pretty decent job. They’re very budget-friendly, fit all dog sizes, and pooches love their chicken taste. Although I haven’t noticed any improvement in the breath front with these, the uneven, crumbly texture of the sticks helps get rid of plaque, and that’s a win in my book!
Vet recommended and originally available only through the veterinarian, Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews are a high-quality treat that will have your dog begging for more. These chews combine their exclusive ‘Dual Enzyme System’ with a coarse texture that works to both reduce plaque and tartar build-up and improve your dog’s overall dental health.
The treats are made from select beef hide and flavored with poultry-flavoring, to make sure that they are enticing for your dog. To maximize the benefits, they recommend giving your dog at least one chew per day. This will not only help to get your pet’s dental health back on track but also prevent problems moving forward.
Another brand that offers some interesting flavors, Zuke’s comes in two choices: apple or carrot. My dogs don’t have a preference (or a refined palate, if I’m being honest), and I love the ingredients list. The herbs, including parsley, alfalfa, and fennel are there to keep your pooch’s breath fresh, and the easily digestible and natural ingredients promote gut health.
Himalayan Happy Teeth Dog Chews
To be fair, cheesy treats are not going to make your pooch’s breath any more appealing than it already is. But doggos do go nuts for these, and the hard, spongy texture and deep ridges help remove tartar from those hard to reach spots. Gotta endure some cheddar-y smooches in favor of pearly white canines!
