Dog Dental Chews
45 productsKeep your dog's teeth cleaner and their breath fresher with dog dental chews and dental sticks made for a once-a-day routine.[more] Browse Greenies, OraVet and plant-based VeggieDent FR3SH chews alongside Prozym RF2 dental sticks, sized by weight from toy breeds to large dogs and part of our vet-recommended range of dental products for dogs.
How dog dental chews help keep teeth clean
Every chew starts working as your dog gnaws: the texture helps scrape soft plaque from the tooth surface, and some chews add an active ingredient that helps slow plaque building up again.
Plaque that stays on the teeth hardens into tartar (mineralised plaque), which cannot easily be removed by brushing and usually needs a vet's scale and polish.
Dog dental chews and dental sticks from Greenies, OraVet, VeggieDent and Prozym
Whether it is called a chew or a stick, each does the same job and the name mostly describes the shape. Each range below works in a slightly different way.
- Greenies: a chewy, flexible texture lets teeth sink in all the way to the gumline, and Greenies dental treats carry the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance for plaque and tartar control. Original, Blueberry, Freshmint and Sweet Potato flavours suit fussy chewers.
- OraVet: chewing helps scrub plaque away while delmopinol, the active ingredient in OraVet dental chews, coats the teeth to help stop bacteria attaching to the enamel.
- VeggieDent FR3SH: plant-based VeggieDent FR3SH dental chews have a Z-shape that gives dogs something to grip, so they chew for longer.
- Prozym: Prozym RF2 Dental Sticks are star-shaped for a longer chew and contain RF2, an active ingredient designed to target biofilm (the thin bacterial film that is the earliest stage of plaque). They come in Small/Medium and Large sizes.
Because a chew works best given daily, the larger packs of Greenies, OraVet and VeggieDent FR3SH bring the cost of each chew down.
What size dental chew does my dog need?
Pick the dental chew size that matches your dog's weight on the pack, because a chew that is too small can be swallowed before it has done any cleaning.
Read the full guide: Best Dental Chews for Dogs in Australia.
Dental chews and dental sticks for puppies
Puppies can start on a dental chew once they pass the minimum age on the pack, which varies by brand.
- Greenies: from 6 months of age and 2kg, in every size.
- Prozym RF2 Dental Sticks: from 4 months, once a puppy's teeth are strong enough to chew a stick without injury.
- OraVet and VeggieDent FR3SH: check the pack for the minimum age, or ask your vet, before offering one to a young puppy.
Until then, keep rewards small and soft with our dog treats for puppies.
Pairing dog dental treats with brushing and dental diets
A dental chew covers one part of oral care, and our vet sets out the rest in Dog Dental Care: A Vet's Guide to Healthier Teeth and Gums.
- Brushing reaches the inner tooth surfaces a chew misses: see our dog toothpaste and toothbrushes.
- Dog dental diets use a kibble texture designed to help clean the teeth at mealtimes.
- Breath that stays bad despite a daily chew can point to dental disease: read How to Beat Bad Breath in Dogs and book a vet check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many vets recommend dental sticks and chews for a home dental routine, especially products carrying the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance. The VOHC Seal goes to products whose trial results meet the council's pre-set standards for slowing plaque and tartar. Your vet can also suggest a suitable type for your dog at their next check.
Dog dental sticks and chews can help reduce plaque, tartar and bad breath when given consistently. Greenies and VeggieDent FR3SH are on the VOHC accepted products list for helping control plaque and tartar, and OraVet is listed for tartar. Results depend on the chew being the right size for your dog's weight, so they gnaw it for long enough to clean.
Most dogs can have one dental stick or chew every day, which is how the brands in our range are designed to be given. Keep to one a day unless your vet advises otherwise. Daily use helps keep soft plaque from building up between cleans.
Dental sticks and chews contain calories, so they can add to weight gain if given on top of a full diet without adjusting meals. VeggieDent FR3SH, for example, ranges from about 24 calories for an Extra Small chew to 105 for a Large. Count the chew as part of your dog's daily treat allowance, and ask your vet if your dog is on a weight-loss plan.
Dental sticks can suit dogs with food allergies when the ingredients avoid that dog's triggers, and many contain wheat or animal protein. Prozym RF2 Dental Sticks contain wheat flour, while VeggieDent FR3SH is plant-based with no animal proteins. Check the ingredient list against your dog's known triggers and ask your vet before trying a new chew.
