What Are Dog Dental Chews and How Do They Work?
Dog dental chews are edible products designed to improve oral hygiene by removing or reducing the build-up of plaque and tartar on your dog's teeth. They work primarily through mechanical abrasion — as your dog gnaws and chews, the texture of the product scrubs against the tooth surface in a similar way to a toothbrush. Some chews go a step further by incorporating active ingredients such as enzymes, chlorhexidine, or zinc, which work chemically to inhibit bacterial growth and reduce plaque formation.
Plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth daily. If it is not removed, it hardens into tartar (calculus) within days. Tartar builds up above and below the gumline and can lead to gingivitis, periodontal disease, tooth loss, and systemic health problems affecting the heart, kidneys, and liver. Dental chews, used consistently, can be a meaningful part of managing this process — but they are not a magic solution.
The VOHC Seal of Acceptance
The most important thing to look for when choosing a dental chew is the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance. The VOHC is an independent body of veterinary dental specialists that evaluates oral health products using strict scientific criteria. A product earns the VOHC seal only after it has demonstrated in controlled clinical trials that it reduces plaque or tartar (or both) by at least 10 to 15 per cent compared to a control. The seal will specify whether the product has been shown to reduce plaque, tartar, or both.
This matters because the pet dental market is flooded with products making dental health claims that have never been tested. A product does not need to pass any clinical trial to state on its packaging that it "supports oral hygiene" or "helps keep teeth clean." The VOHC seal is your assurance that the claim is backed by evidence. You can find the current list of approved products on the VOHC website at vohc.org.
VOHC-Approved Chews Available in the UK and EU
Several products currently hold VOHC approval and are widely available in the UK and European markets:
- Greenies Dental Treats — one of the most widely recognised VOHC-approved chews, available in several sizes for different breeds.
- OraVet Dental Hygiene Chews — contain delmopinol, an ingredient that creates a barrier to prevent bacterial adhesion on tooth surfaces.
- Pedigree Dentastix — availability of VOHC approval can vary by market and formulation, so always check the current VOHC list rather than assuming the entire product line is approved.
Always verify a product's VOHC status directly on the VOHC website before purchasing, as approval can change and not all sizes or formulations within a brand may carry the seal.
Evaluating Chews Without VOHC Approval
Many dental chews on the market do not carry VOHC approval. This does not automatically mean they are ineffective, but it does mean you have no independent clinical evidence to rely on. When evaluating unapproved products, consider the texture (rough and firm enough to scrub, but not so hard it risks tooth fracture), the ingredient list (avoid artificial colours, excessive sugars, and unnecessary additives), and digestibility. If you are uncertain, ask your vet for a recommendation based on your dog's specific needs.
Safety Concerns: What to Avoid
Not everything marketed as a dental chew is safe. Some products carry significant risks:
- Rawhide — rawhide chews can swell significantly when wet and pose a serious choking and intestinal obstruction risk. There are also concerns about contamination during processing. Many vets advise against them.
- Antlers and hard bones — antlers, hooves, and cooked bones are far too hard for dogs' teeth. The British Veterinary Dental Association warns that anything you cannot indent with your thumbnail is too hard and risks slab fractures of the carnassial teeth — a painful injury requiring extraction under general anaesthesia.
- Cooked bones — these can splinter into sharp fragments and cause internal injuries. Never give your dog a cooked bone of any kind.
As a general rule, always supervise your dog when they have any chew. Remove it if it becomes small enough to swallow whole.
The 10% Calorie Rule
Dental chews are treats, and treats — including dental chews — should not exceed 10 per cent of your dog's total daily caloric intake. This is particularly important for smaller dogs, for whom even a single large chew could represent a substantial portion of their daily calories. Excess calories from treats contribute to weight gain, which in turn increases the risk of joint problems, diabetes, and heart disease. Always check the calorie content on the packaging and adjust your dog's main meals accordingly on days when chews are given.
Daily Use Is Essential
For dental chews to have a meaningful effect on oral health, they need to be given daily. Plaque begins to form again within hours of being removed. Giving a chew once or twice a week is unlikely to produce the consistent mechanical cleaning action needed to prevent tartar build-up. If daily use feels excessive given calorie concerns, choose a lower-calorie VOHC-approved option and reduce portion sizes at mealtimes to compensate.
Chews Are Not a Substitute for Toothbrushing
Daily toothbrushing with a dog-specific enzymatic toothpaste remains the gold standard in canine dental home care. Toothbrushing reaches all tooth surfaces and the gumline more effectively than any chew. Dental chews are a useful supplement, particularly for dogs that will not tolerate brushing, but they are not an equivalent replacement. Ideally, use a VOHC-approved chew alongside a brushing routine for the best outcome.
Size and Digestibility Matter
Always choose a chew appropriate for your dog's size and weight. Most brands offer size-specific products — using a small chew on a large dog means it will be swallowed too quickly to provide any dental benefit. Using a large chew on a small dog poses a choking risk. Digestibility is also important: look for chews that are labelled as easily digestible and that do not contain compressed materials that can form hard masses in the gut. When in doubt, choose products that dissolve readily in water as a rough indicator of digestibility.
When to Seek Professional Dental Care
Dental chews can slow the progression of plaque and tartar build-up, but they cannot reverse existing periodontal disease or remove established tartar. If your dog already has heavy tartar deposits, red or swollen gums, bad breath that does not improve, or is showing signs of mouth pain such as reluctance to eat or pawing at the face, a professional dental clean under general anaesthesia is needed. Speak to your vet, who can assess your dog's oral health and advise on both professional treatment and a home care plan going forward.