We sell this powder. It was not the product tested in the studies discussed here.
TL;DR
Dental treats can slow plaque and tartar buildup, but only some have been proven to. Look for the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal, which more than 30 chew and treat products for dogs carried as of August 2026. Feed the size the package lists for your dog's weight, count the treat toward your dog's daily calories, and skip anything too hard to dent with a fingernail. Even the best dental treat does less than daily brushing.
Do dental treats work?
The ones with good trial data do, within limits.
- A 2019 randomized, blinded trial in a general practice compared once-daily brushing, one daily dental chew and a prescription dental diet over 6 weeks after a professional cleaning. Brushing was more than three times as effective at controlling plaque. The chew and the diet performed about the same as each other.
- A 2025 study that recruited 125 dogs that had not had a cleaning found that a daily dental chew reduced plaque and tartar, as did brushing every other day. The authors note that none of the home-care routines they tested brought dogs with heavier deposits back to normal, so a chew is not a substitute for a cleaning when tartar is already established. The study was funded by Virbac, which makes the chew tested.
- A 2025 study of a honeycomb-shaped chew fed daily for 60 days found reductions in tartar (26.6%), plaque (14.2%) and bad breath (46.71%), but no significant change in gum inflammation.
Those percentages are for specific products in specific study conditions. They are not a guarantee for a different treat or for your dog.
How the VOHC seal works
The VOHC awards its seal in two categories, plaque and tartar. A company has to submit controlled trial data showing its product reduces buildup by at least the council's minimum standard. For products with a chemical active ingredient, the council also requires evidence that gum inflammation did not increase. The seal is for a named product, sometimes in named sizes, and the list is updated several times a year.
Examples of chews and treats on the August 2026 list include:
- Canine Greenies (several lines and sizes), plaque and tartar
- OraVet Dental Hygiene Chews, tartar
- Purina DentaLife Daily Oral Care, tartar
- Pedigree Dentastix Advanced, plaque and tartar
- WHIMZEES Brushzees and Toothbrush treats, plaque and tartar
- C.E.T. VEGGIEDENT FR3SH, Zen and Flex chews, plaque and tartar
- Milk-Bone Brushing Chews, tartar
- ProDen PlaqueOff Dental Bites, Dental Care Bones and Soft Chews, plaque and tartar
- Blue Buffalo Dental Chews, tartar
Check the current VOHC list for the exact product before you buy. A brand can have one accepted line and other lines that are not.
How to choose a safe dental treat
Size. The VOHC list itself reminds owners to feed the right size for the dog's weight. VCA Animal Hospitals adds that if your dog can swallow a chew with barely any chewing, it is not cleaning the teeth and could be a choking hazard.
Hardness. VCA notes that most broken teeth in dogs come from chewing objects that are too hard, such as bones, antlers, hooves, ice cubes and hard nylon chews, and that any chew or treat should bend and "give" when compressed. The AAHA dental guidelines also see no strong reason to offer hard treats like antlers or bones, because they can crack teeth and lead to pain and infection.
Calories. Dental treats count as food. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) advises that treats should make up less than 10% of a dog's daily calories. If your dog gets a daily dental chew, cut back other treats or food so the total stays the same.
Supervision. Watch your dog with any new chew. VCA advises supervision with rubber toys too, in case your dog tears off and swallows pieces.
Ingredients. Check for anything your dog is allergic to, and for added sugars if your dog has a weight problem.
When to skip dental treats
- Your dog's mouth hurts. Dropping food, chewing on one side or pawing at the mouth are signs to see the vet before adding chews.
- Your dog just had extractions. Follow your vet's instructions on when chews can come back. AAHA recommends a recheck 10 to 14 days after a dental procedure.
- Your dog gulps. Some dogs swallow chews in large chunks no matter the size. A water additive or a dental diet may be a safer route.
FAQ
Are dental chews better than brushing?
No. The randomized trial that compared them directly found daily brushing more than three times as effective at controlling plaque. Dental treats are the backup for dogs that will not accept a brush, or an extra on top of brushing.
How many dental chews a day?
Follow the package, which is usually one a day. More chews add calories without proven extra benefit.
Are rawhides good for teeth?
One soft rawhide product (Tartar Shield Soft Rawhide Chews) carries the VOHC seal for tartar. VCA recommends avoiding rawhides and bones in general because of tooth fractures and the risk of swallowing chunks. If you choose a rawhide, choose an accepted one and supervise.
What about bad breath specifically?
See our guide to the best dog chews for bad breath, and to cleaning your dog's teeth without brushing.
References
- Veterinary Oral Health Council. VOHC Accepted Products for Dogs (list updated August 2026) and VOHC protocols.
- Allan RM, Adams VJ, Johnston NW. Prospective randomised blinded clinical trial assessing effectiveness of three dental plaque control methods in dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice. 2019. PMID: 30575038
- Gawor J, Jank M, Harvey CE, Nicolas CS. Effectiveness of dental homecare protocols in unscaled dogs. Journal of Veterinary Dentistry. 2025. PMID: 39587858
- Crowder SE, Berg M, Bellows J, et al. Effectiveness of a daily honeycomb-shaped dental chew in reducing calculus, plaque, gingivitis and malodor in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Dentistry. 2025. PMID: 38819379
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Dental Disease in Dogs, How to choose puppy dental treats, How to keep your dog's teeth clean at home.
- American Animal Hospital Association. 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines: nutrition and discharge discussion.
- World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Feeding treats to your dog.
For individual health questions, your veterinarian remains the best partner.
