Best Dental Chews for Dogs in 2026: A Guide to Cleaner Teeth and Fresher Breath

As humans, it’s drilled into us from a young age to take care of our teeth. Brush properly, don’t go too wild with sugar and book your dentist appointment every 6 to 12 months. But when it comes to our dogs, dental care doesn’t always feel quite so obvious. Should we be brushing their teeth every day too? Do dogs really need toothpaste? And where do dental chews fit into all of this?

But the truth is, our dogs’ teeth need looking after more than we might think. Just because they’re not eating sugar like us, that doesn’t mean they’re not at risk of plaque build-up, excess tartar, bad breath or even sore gums.

Brushing is still one of the best ways to support your dog’s dental health, but having some of the best dental chews for dogs in your arsenal can also be a brilliant addition to their routine, especially when you choose one that suits their size, age, chewing style and stomach.

We’ve all been a little naughty and had the odd day where we’ve not brushed our teeth as often as we’re supposed to. And even after just a few hours, you can feel it; your mouth doesn’t feel quite right, your teeth start to feel a bit fuzzy and your breath is best avoided. So just imagine what it must feel like for our dogs when their own dental care is left for too long, especially when they can’t grab a toothbrush and sort it out themselves.

Plaque can start building up on a dog’s teeth within 24 to 48 hours after cleaning, and if it’s left alone for too long, it can harden into tartar. Plaque is that softer, sticky layer that forms on the teeth in the early hours after eating while tartar is the harder brown build-up that isn’t as easily wiped away at home. And once that bacteria start sitting around the gumline, that’s when you can begin to notice things like bad breath, sore or inflamed gums, and in more serious cases, loose teeth or dental disease.

Dog dental chews, dog dental sticks and suitable chew toys can all help by giving your dog something safe to gnaw on between brushing sessions. As they chew, the texture of the dental chew helps rub against the surface of the teeth and around the gumline which can help reduce plaque build-up before it has the chance to become a bigger problem. Chewing also encourages saliva which helps rinse the mouth naturally, although it still doesn’t replace proper brushing or vet checks.

And there’s another benefit too, because chewing isn’t only about teeth. For dogs, chewing can be calming, satisfying and mentally enriching, especially if they spend time at home while you’re working or need something to keep them busy and entertained for a little while.

So while dog dental chews should always be part of a bigger dental routine, rather than the whole routine on their own, they can be a really useful way to support cleaner teeth and fresher breath, which means far nicer slobbery kisses for everyone.

Not every dog dental chew will suit every dog, which can be pretty annoying when you’re stood in the supermarket or faced with a web page filled with multiple different sticks, twists, bones and dental chews that all seem to promise the same thing. But one of the most important things to take away from this guide is that the right option depends largely on your dog; their size, age, chewing style, stomach sensitivities and whether they prefer to nibble sensibly or inhale chews like it’s their last meal on earth.

• Size: A dental chew should always be the right size for your dog, because anything too small can become a choking risk, while anything too big may be difficult for them to chew safely. Smaller breeds need chews made for little mouths while larger dogs usually need something more substantial that won’t be dangerously inhaled in just a few seconds.
  
  
• Texture and Flexibility: The best dental chews for dogs usually have a bit of give to them, rather than being rock hard. A slightly flexible, textured chew is perfect as it’ll help rub against the teeth as your dog gnaws. But very hard options like antlers or cooked bones should be avoided. A handy rule is the fingernail test: if you can’t make a small dent in the chew with your own nail, it may be too hard for your dog’s teeth.
  
  
• Digestibility: A good dog dental chew should be designed to break down safely as your dog eats it. This is especially important for dogs who like to swallow big chunks or eat too quickly since poorly digestible chews could cause tummy trouble or, in more serious cases, blockages. If your dog is a gulper rather than a chewer, you’ll want to be extra careful with the shape and size, and supervise them while they’re enjoying their teeth-benefitting snack.
  
  
• Ingredient Quality: Look for dog dental chews made with recognisable ingredients and avoid anything packed with artificial colours, unnecessary sugar or vague fillers. Some dogs do better with limited-ingredient recipes, single-protein chews or even plant-based dental sticks, especially if they have allergies or a sensitive stomach.

• Chewing Style: A careful little nibbler and a determined power chewer need completely different things. Softer dental chews can work well for puppies, senior dogs, flat-faced breeds or dogs with worn teeth, while stronger adult dogs may need something longer-lasting, as long as it still has enough flexibility to be safe.
  
  
• VOHC Certification: It’s also worth looking out for dental chews that are VOHC accepted, as this means they’ve been reviewed by the Veterinary Oral Health Council and shown to help reduce plaque or tartar. Not every good dental chew will carry this seal, but it can be a helpful extra sign when you’re trying to choose between products.
  
  
• Calories and Feeding Guidance: Dental chews are still treats, even when they’re doing something useful for your dog’s teeth. And while most are designed to be given once a day or a few times a week depending on the product, it’s still best to check the feeding guide and remember to factor them into your dog’s daily treat allowance.
  
  
• Existing Dental Problems: If your dog already has very bad breath, visible tartar, sore gums, bleeding, loose teeth or seems uncomfortable chewing, it’s best to speak to your vet before adding a new dental chew. Chews can help support a dental routine, but they can’t fix problems that already need professional treatment.

Dog dental chews can look very different depending on what they’re made from and how your dog is meant to use them. Some are edible to be given once a day, others are longer lasting and some are toys that aren’t meant to be eaten but can still help rub against the teeth and gums while your dog chews. Knowing the difference makes it much easier to choose something that suits your own pup and their lifestyle.

• Classic Dental Sticks: These are the shaped dental sticks most owners will recognise, often designed to be chewed regularly as part of a dog’s dental care routine. Their texture and shape help rub against the teeth as your dog chews, helping to reduce plaque and tartar build-up, while some also include added ingredients designed to support fresher breath or help slow down plaque forming again.
  
  
• Natural Edible Chews: Natural dog dental chews include things like dried fish skins, dried meat chews, yak cheese, bully sticks and vegetable-based dental sticks. These can be a good option if you prefer treats with fewer ingredients or want something that feels a little closer to the kind of chewing dogs naturally enjoy, although they still need to be matched to your dog’s size, teeth health and chewing style.
  
  
• Non-Edible Chew Toys: Some dental chew toys are made from rubber or nylon and have ridges, grooves or little nubs designed to rub against the teeth and gums while your dog chews. These can be really useful for dogs who love to gnaw, and they’re great for keeping them busy too, but they still need supervision and should be replaced once they start looking worn or damaged.
  
  
• Dental Food: Some dry dog foods are made with dental health in mind, using larger pieces and specific textures to encourage more chewing rather than being swallowed too quickly. One study found that increasing the size of dry food pieces by 50% led to a 42% reduction in tartar, which shows how much texture and chewing time can matter. That said, dental food is still only one part of the picture and shouldn’t replace brushing or proper vet checks.

No single dental chew is going to be right for every dog, because a tiny puppy with sharp needle teeth, a senior dog with more delicate gums and a big adult dog who can chew through almost anything is going to need something entirely different.

Below, we’ve shared a few of the favourites we’d choose for different ages, sizes and chewing styles, based on the ingredients, texture, safety and practicality we’ve already talked about. There are plenty of other good options out there too, so it’s still worth doing your own research and choosing based on your dog’s mouth, stomach and preferences.

Small dogs may have tiny mouths, but their dental care still needs just as much thought as a larger dog’s. Breeds like Chihuahuas, Pomeranians and Toy Poodles can be more prone to overcrowded teeth, which means plaque and tartar can build up in those awkward little spaces if their dental routine is left too long.

For smaller breeds, look for dog dental chews that are the right size for their mouth, soft to medium-firm in texture and easy enough to chew without being so tiny they could swallow them whole. As with any chew, supervision matters, and if a piece gets small enough to become a choking risk, it’s okay to take it away from them.

Medium and large dogs often need something a bit more substantial than a small dental stick, especially if they’re the type to demolish softer chews in the time it takes you to make a cup of tea. Dogs like Spaniels, Labradors and German Shepherds usually need a chew that lasts long enough to do something useful for their teeth, but still has enough flex that it won’t feel too hard on their mouth.

Thick but chewy dental sticks, larger plant-based chews and textured natural options can work well here, while very hard chews like antlers, cooked bones or anything that fails the fingernail test should ideally be avoided.

Puppies need a little extra care when it comes to dental chews, mostly because their mouths are still changing so much in those first few months. By around eight weeks, most puppies have their baby teeth, then from roughly four to six months they start losing them as their adult teeth come through, so anything too hard or too big can be a bit much for their sore and developing gums.

Because of that, puppy dental chews should be smaller and softer with short, supervised chewing sessions rather than leaving them to gnaw away for ages. Rawhide, antlers, cooked bones and very hard chews should definitely be avoided because puppy teeth and gums need something much kinder while they’re still growing.

Senior dogs often need a softer approach when it comes to dental chews, especially if they have worn or missing teeth. Hard chews can be uncomfortable for older dogs and, in some cases, may increase the risk of tooth fractures, so softer, easier-to-chew dental sticks are usually a much better choice.

If your dog already has diagnosed dental disease, loose teeth, bleeding gums or heavy tartar build-up, it’s always worth speaking to your vet before adding a new chew into their routine, as they may need professional treatment or a more tailored dental plan first.

Dogs with sensitive stomachs or food intolerances often need a little more thought when it comes to choosing something being added to their diet, whether that’s their standard food, treats or dental chews. That’s because the wrong protein, grain or additive can cause problems they don’t deserve, like itchy skin, soft stool and general discomfort.

For these dogs, it’s usually best to look for simple recipes, grain-free options and chews made without common triggers like wheat, corn, soya or artificial additives. Plant-based dental sticks or single-source fish chews can also work well, but it’s still worth introducing anything new slowly and stopping if your dog seems uncomfortable or gets sick afterwards.

If you’re not completely sold on more processed dental sticks, there are plenty of natural alternatives that can still give your dog something satisfying to chew. The main thing is choosing options that suit your dog’s size and dental needs because natural doesn’t automatically mean safe for every dog.

Crunchy Vegetables and Low-Calorie Options

Crunchy vegetables like raw carrot sticks, cucumber pieces and broccoli stalks can give your dog something crisp to bite into while lightly rubbing against the teeth. They won’t clean your dog’s mouth in the same way as proper dog dental chews, but they can be a handy extra, especially for dogs who need lighter snacks or are watching their weight. Just make sure everything is cut to a safe size and actually safe for your pups to digest.

Fish Skin Chews

Fish skin chews are a popular natural option because their rough texture can help rub against the teeth as your dog chews, while also giving them a high-protein, lower-fat treat that feels a bit more exciting than a standard dental stick. They can be a good choice for dogs who enjoy a crunchier chew, but as always, choose the right size for your dog and remove any small end pieces before they become a choking risk.

Tendons and Air-Dried Meat Chews

Tendons and air-dried meat strips can also be useful for dogs who prefer something meatier and longer-lasting. These types of natural chews can give dogs a satisfying chewing session while helping keep their teeth busy, but they need to be matched carefully to your dog’s chewing style. If your dog tends to swallow large pieces or gets a bit too enthusiastic, supervision is a must.

Most dogs can enjoy a dental chew regularly, and plenty are designed to be given once a day, but it’s still worth checking the packaging rather than guessing. The right amount depends on your dog’s size, weight, age, chewing habits and dental health, so what works for one dog won’t always be right for another.

Key things to keep in mind:

• Supervision: Keep an eye on your dog while they’re chewing, especially if they tend to gulp treats rather than properly chew them. If a piece gets small enough to swallow whole, or your dog starts trying to force big chunks down, it’s probably a good idea to take it away before.
  
  
• Fresh Water: Always make sure your dog has fresh water nearby when they’re having dental chews, as chewing can make them thirsty and water helps keep everything moving comfortably.
  
  
• Portion Control: Dental chews are useful, but they still count as treats and can add extra calories to your dog’s day. If your dog has a dental stick or any other tasty dog treats throughout the day, you may need to slightly adjust their meals or keep other snacks lighter that day.
  
  
• Feeding Guidance: Depending on the brand of dog dental chews you decide on, always check the brand’s feeding guide, especially if the chew is designed for a certain weight range or age. Giving a chew that’s too small, too large or too often can make it less safe and less suitable for your dog.
  
  
• Warning Signs: Stop using the chew and speak to your vet if you notice aggressive gulping, bleeding gums, tooth damage, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea or your dog seems generally uncomfortable while chewing.
  
  
• Vet Checks: Dental chews can help support your dog’s oral hygiene between brushing sessions, but they don’t replace proper dental checks. Most dogs should have their teeth looked at by a vet at least once a year, and if there’s heavy tartar build-up, sore gums or loose teeth, they may need professional treatment rather than another chew.

Dog dental chews are brilliant for supporting your dog’s teeth, but they’re not a full replacement for brushing. Brushing with a dog-safe toothbrush and toothpaste is still the best way to clean the surfaces of your dog’s teeth properly, especially around the gumline where plaque likes to build up in secret. It’s also worth mentioning that no matter how tempting it may be, you should never use human toothpaste for dogs as the ingredients inside are not safe for them.

In an ideal world, brushing your dog’s teeth every day is best, but we also know that some dogs act like you’re trying to perform emergency surgery the second a toothbrush appears. If daily brushing feels impossible, even a few times a week is better than doing nothing, especially if you slowly build it into their routine with patience and plenty of praise afterwards.

Dental chews and dental sticks are useful because they help in between brushing sessions. As your dog chews, the texture can rub against the teeth and help reduce plaque build-up, with some studies showing chewing can reduce plaque by nearly 70%. But chews can’t reach every little gap, gumline and back tooth in the same way brushing can, so they’re best seen as backup support rather than the whole dental plan.

Chew toys can also have a place in your dog’s dental routine, especially rubber toys with ridges, grooves or nubs that massage the gums and encourage chewing. They’re also great for enrichment and giving dogs something to focus on when they’re bored, but they still need to be checked regularly and replaced once they start looking worn, split or damaged.

The biggest thing to avoid is anything too hard. Antlers, stones, cooked bones, raw bones, very dense nylon toys and rock-hard dental bones can all increase the risk of tooth fractures, especially if your pup tends to chew with a lot of enthusiasm.

A practical routine might look like this:

We know it’s not always easy knowing what’s best for your dog, especially when every product seems to promise the same thing. But the fact you’re here reading about dog dental care already says a lot about how much you’re trying to do right by them.

Brushing your dog’s teeth every day might not always feel realistic, especially when life gets busy, but working it into their routine where you can really does matter and can make those future vet check-ups feel a lot less scary. Dog dental chews are great to have in your arsenal too, not as a replacement for brushing, but as a tasty in-between that can help support cleaner teeth and fresher breath.

Here at WOOOF, you’ll find a huge range of doggy dental care, from some of the best dental chews for dogs to toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental wipes and even food toppers designed to help with bad breath and plaque. You don’t need it all, but with a few good products in the cupboard and a routine that works for your dog, you can enjoy plenty of slobbery kisses without the bad breath!

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