9 best dog dental chews UK 2023; including vet-recommended options and dental sticks -

GOOD dental health is crucial for dogs as well as people, and the simplest way to clean your pooch’s teeth is with dental chews, but how do you choose the best dog dental chews?

First of all, look at the ingredients. If your pup has any allergies, then make sure the product you’re considering doesn’t contain anything that could set these off – some dogs have allergies to grain, for instance.

The best dog dental chews for your fluffy friend will contain natural ingredients, and perhaps have added minerals to strengthen teeth, such as calcium, and improve breath freshness - this one’s for you, really.

Avoid products containing lots of fillers that are high in calories, as you don’t want to improve their dental health at the expense of their overall physical health. While the general rule is one dental stick per day, you should include this within your dog’s daily treat limit, and this total should be no more than 10% of their energy requirements for each day.

Dogs do like the taste of dental chews, so it’s like a treat and a plaque remover in one. Imagine if people could simply eat a chew to keep their teeth and gums healthy rather than going to the dentist. Wouldn’t that be gnashing?

Best dog dental chews at a glance:

Yu Move Dental Care Sticks

Yu Move Dental Care Sticks For Medium Dogs, £18.99 for a pack of 14 from Amazon – buy here

These dental chews have a hard outer shell and a soft centre which, creates a barrier along the teeth and gums and reduces plaque and tartar, says YuMove,

The soft centre is released when your dog chews, and this works against bad bacteria in the mouth, while at the same time supporting the good bacteria. They also help reduce plaque and tartar and maintain healthy teeth and gums.

They're available in three sizes for small, medium and large dogs.

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Don't just take our word for it either; Amazon shoppers have left high praise on this 4.2-star-rated product.

One shopper's dog 'loves them', and another says the dental chews are 'gentle on [their] dogs stomach', so to give your dog those sparkly whites, grab a box of Yu move dental care sticks, that are from the UK's number 1 veterinary joint supplement brand.

Suitable for dogs from six months old.

Forthglade Plant-Based Dental Sticks

Plant Based Dental Sticks, from £3 for a pack of 5 at Forthglade – buy here

Forthglade’s plant-based dental sticks are made using natural ingredients and were developed by vets to help your four-legged friend maintain a healthy dental routine. They are grain free, perfect for sensitive tummies and designed using natural ingredients to help remove tartar and plaque, support strong teeth and help freshen breath.

The launch of Forthglade dental sticks was supported by TV vet Steve Leonard, where it was advised that giving your dog a dental chew after brushing their teeth was a great way to support their dental care.

Forthglade dental sticks can be easily broken into portions to suit dogs of all sizes.

With an average of 4.3 stars and 39 out of the 50 reviews being a perfect 5, we're sure your dogs will also give it their paws up.

Suitable for dogs from one year old.

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Lily’s Kitchen Medium Woofbrush Gut Health Dental Chew

Lily’s Kitchen Medium Woofbrush Gut Health Dental Chew, £9.25 for a pack of 7 from Ocado – buy here

What a great name for a doggie dental chew!

These come in a variety of sizes to suit the size of your dog, from mini to large. They contain coconut oil, fennel, algae, nutritional yeast, parsley and decaf green tea extract to help improve the smell of your dog’s breath as well as clean their teeth.

What’s more, they also support good gut health, as they include psyllium seed husk for its fibre and inulin, which is prebiotic.

If you want a product that will 'keep [your] dogs teeth clean', join the other owners whose dogs were 'very appreciative' of the little extra help in dental hygiene this product provides.

Suitable for dogs from six months old.

Pooch & Mutt Calming Dental Sticks

Pooch & Mutt Calming Dental Sticks, £3.79 for a pack of 7 from Amazon – buy here

If your pooch is a bit excitable, then these calming dental chews could bring you a few minutes of peace as well as cleaning their teeth.

Ingredients include hemp, which alleviates stress, and sage, which is anti-microbial and high in antioxidants, reducing bad breath, plaque and tartar. (Sage is also said to soothe anxiety in humans, so perhaps it works for dogs as well.)

The sticks are chicken flavoured and contain chicken liver. They’re available in one size only, but simply increase how many you feed to bigger dogs.

It's not just the owners going wild for these sticks, either. One reviewer says the dog 'absolutely loves these' so much so that they're 'excited when we leave', so it's no wonder that these tasty sticks hold a superb 4.4-star rating on Amazon.

Suitable for dogs aged six months and older.

Greenies Dental Treats

Greenies Dental Treats Medium, £11.99 for a pack of 12 from Pets at Home – buy here

These cute dental chews not only reduce plaque and tartar, and improve breath freshness, but they’re shaped like toothbrushes.

Ingredients include fruit juice, vitamins and minerals, as well as meat and cereals. They're free from artificial colours and flavours and available in sizes teenie, petite, medium and large.

So if you're hunting for a reasonably priced product to help clean your little canine's canines, grab a pack of the Greenies Dental Treats. Don't worry if your dog is on the older side since one customer says, 'My dog will only eat this one,' and the dog is a grand '15 years old, so even the senior dogs can get in on this toothbrush-shaped treat.

Suitable for dogs from one year old.

Pedigree Dentastix

Pedigree Dentastix Medium, £11.50 for a pack of 56 from Pets at Home – buy here

These chews are said to reduce tartar build-up by up to 80%, support gum health and clean teeth.

Ingredients include cereals, meats and fats. There’s no added sugar, and the chews are free of artificial flavours and colours.

They're available in sizes small, medium and large.

With a whopping 2000 reviews and 1500 of them being a perfect 5, it's likely no exaggeration that this product will leave the 'pups breath minty fresh.'

Suitable for dogs over four months old.

Whimzees Variety Box Medium Dental Sticks

Whimzees Variety Box Medium Dental Sticks, £18.04 for 28 from Amazon – buy here

With alligators and toothbrushes as well as sticks, these dental chews are fun to look at as well as good for your dog’s teeth, gums and breath.

They’re made from natural ingredients, are GMO-free and contain no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives. Their hard texture means they last longer than some other treats, and they’re also low in fat and high in fibre.

Grain, wheat and gluten-free, these dental chews are also vegetarian and available in sizes small, medium and large.

4.6 stars is definitely more than food for thought. With over 14,000 ratings, these 'long-lasting dental chews' that 'really get into all the gaps' are the perfect way to look after your pet and repay them for all the cuddles and free therapy they provide.

Suitable for dogs over nine months old.

SUPERFOOD DENTAL STICKS FOR DOGS

SUPERFOOD DENTAL STICKS FOR DOGS, from £3.99 from Pooch & Mutt - buy here

We all love superfoods when it comes to our own health, so why wouldn't you want to get your lifetime pet in on the health craze too?

Pooch & Mutt have thought ahead by creating a superfood dental stick that you can get for £3.99 on a one-off purchase, and if your Pooch loves the treat, why not subscribe and get them delivered on a basis that suits you so you never have to worry about forgetting to top up.

It isn't just our word either; with an almost perfect 4.9-star rating on the site and over 600 reviews, the superfood treat has a super score and with customers saying their pup has '1 a day without fail.' We're confident your dog will appreciate the care.

Soopa Banana, Pumpkin & Flaxseed Dental Sticks for Senior Dogs

Soopa Banana, Pumpkin & Flaxseed Dental Sticks for Senior Dogs, £31.69 for 10 packs from Amazon – buy here

He may be a little long in the tooth, but he’ll still love these dental sticks as they’re specially formulated for golden oldies.

Softer than regular dental chews, they contain flax seeds for energy and coconut oil to boost his brain power, as well as tasty banana and pumpkin.

If your pups a picky eater, they've got you covered since the product also comes in a variety of flavours from Bannan & Pumpkin all the way to Kale and Apple, so make sure you pick the perfect flavour before you check out.

Made with human-grade ingredients, these treats are low in fat and gluten-free. They’re also vegan.

Splashing out on the human-grade ingredients seems to be worth it to the pet parents on Amazon as their 'dog loves these', and another who seems to be extremely happy with their purchase claims they'd give it '10 stars if they could.'

Designed for senior dogs

Where to buy dog dental chews in the UK?

Since dogs can come in such a wide variety of breeds, that means everyone's shopping for extremely different-sized dogs. Maybe you have a small Chihuahua or a huge Dalmation; you're going to need to shop around to find the best choice for your furry friend.

We've rounded up a list of a few online retailers to help you get started.

How much do dog dental chews cost?

Despite everyone's pooch having different dietary requirements, our research into the best dog dental chews has shown that the prices don't vary too much, and it won't cost you a fortune to keep your dog happy.

On the cheaper side, you do get less in a pack, but that can be a great option for anyone looking to test out a particular product before investing in something their dog might not enjoy. These usually cost around the £5 mark, whereas if you know your dog's tastes and you're ready to just grab a reasonably sized pack, it will only set you back around £13.

How often should I give my dog a dental stick?

You should check the individual brand for how often you should feed dental chews to your dog, but generally speaking, it’s okay to feed one dental chew or stick each day.

Some brands are available in different sizes to suit different dog breeds, but if your favourite dental sticks come in just one size and your dog is little, then it’s a good idea to feed half a stick or less. Again, check the back of the packet or the brand’s website, as it should be explained there.

Are dental chews enough for dogs?

Dental chews are a great way to help keep your dog’s teeth tartar and plaque-free, but the best solution for doggie breath and good dental hygiene is regular brushing – yes, just like for humans.

It’s best to do this from when they’re puppies, but it’s never too late to start brushing your dog’s teeth.

You can buy a brush that looks like a regular toothbrush or a thimble brush that fits over your finger – and use a toothpaste or gel specifically formulated for dogs. Do not use human toothpaste as some of the ingredients may not be suitable – for example, xylitol, which is often found in human toothpaste, is toxic for dogs.

The Dogs Trust recommends a slow introduction to toothbrushing. Start by getting your dog used to you touching their mouth outside, then inside, before gradually introducing the toothbrush. The idea is not to frighten your pup but to get them to calmly and happily accept daily brushing as part of his routine.

Check your dog’s mouth regularly for signs of decay or gum disease, and have their teeth checked by your vet during regular appointments once or twice each year.

How do I pick the best dog dental chews?

We spoke to Nicki Fox, Veterinary Specialist at Admiral Pet Insurance, RVN VNCertECC APVN (Wildlife), for her advice on how to choose the best dental chews for your dog.

She said: “When choosing the best chew, it is important to remember that the calorific intake from treats should not exceed 10% of a dog’s total daily caloric requirement."