Dental chews are a $1 billion+ industry with a wide range of effectiveness — from genuinely helpful to completely useless. The majority of dental chews on the market make marketing claims that aren't backed by independent evidence. But a subset — those carrying the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal — have demonstrated meaningful plaque and tartar reduction in peer-reviewed studies. Here's how to tell which is which.
Do Dental Chews Work?
Short answer: some do, most don't as claimed.
Dental chews work through mechanical action — the dog chewing on the product physically scrubs plaque from tooth surfaces. The key variable is: does the chew actually contact the teeth for long enough to have effect, and does the texture actually scrub?
Hard chews (rawhide, bully sticks, bones) can reduce plaque but don't specifically target the subgingival areas where periodontal disease develops. Very soft chews provide little to no mechanical benefit. Medium-firmness, specially textured chews designed to flex and grip the tooth provide the best mechanical cleaning.
The VOHC Seal — What It Means
The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) is an independent body that reviews and certifies dental products that have met pre-set standards in clinical trials for reducing plaque or tartar. A VOHC seal means the product has actually been tested — not just claimed — to work.
Products receive separate seals for "reduces plaque" and/or "reduces tartar." Look for the VOHC seal on the packaging.
VOHC-Approved Dental Chews
| Product | VOHC Claim | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Greenies Dental Chews | Reduces tartar & plaque | Most popular; use size-appropriate; high calorie |
| OraVet Dental Hygiene Chews | Reduces plaque & calculus | Contains delmopinol, which disrupts biofilm formation |
| Whimzees | Reduces tartar | Vegetable-based; low calorie |
| Purina DentaLife | Reduces tartar | Widely available; affordable |
| Virbac C.E.T. Chews | Reduces plaque & tartar | Enzymatic chews; also available as toothpaste |
Dental Chews vs. Toothbrushing
Dental chews are a supplement to toothbrushing, not a replacement. Studies consistently show that daily toothbrushing is more effective than any chew. However, in dogs where brushing is genuinely not possible, VOHC-approved chews provide meaningful benefit.
| Method | Effectiveness | Practicality |
|---|---|---|
| Daily toothbrushing | Highest | Requires training |
| VOHC dental chews (daily) | Moderate — ~70–80% as effective as brushing in some studies | Easy; dogs love them |
| Water additives (VOHC) | Mild | Very easy; add to water bowl |
| Dental diets (VOHC) | Moderate | Easy if used as main food |
| Non-VOHC chews | Minimal to none | N/A |
Risks & Considerations
- Calorie count: A large Greenie can be 70–100 calories — significant for a small dog on a weight management diet
- Choking: Always supervise; use size-appropriate chews; remove if the dog is swallowing large pieces
- GI upset: New chews can cause loose stool; introduce gradually
- Not a substitute for professional cleaning: Existing tartar cannot be removed by chewing; a professional dental under anesthesia is needed to start fresh