Last Updated: 28/05/2025
Do Dental Treats for Dogs Really Work?
Learn about how dental treats can help keep your dog's teeth and gums healthy.
Author: Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 7 minutes - short read
This article is written by Pet Circle in paid partnership with GREENIESTM brand.
Dental care is a crucial part of a dog's overall health, yet it's often overlooked by pet owners. Poor dental hygiene can lead to a range of health issues, including bad breath, gum disease, tooth loss, and even more serious conditions like heart disease.
With the increasing awareness of oral health in pets, there is now a wide range of dog dental treats available as an easy solution to maintain your dog's oral health.
So what is a dental treat and do they really work, or are they just a tasty snack?
Greenies dental treats
Are Dental Treats Effective?
Yes, dental treats can help keep your pet's teeth clean. The effectiveness of dental treats depends on a few factors:
- Chewing Action: The physical act of chewing helps mechanically scrape off plaque and tartar. This effectiveness can vary depending on how thoroughly your dog chews the treat. If they tend to eat the treat quickly, then they may not gain the full benefits.
- Texture and Shape: Dental treats like GREENIESTM are crafted with a chewy texture and grooved design, allowing the teeth to sink into the treat more deeply. This increases the contact with the teeth, improving the mechanical cleaning process and maximising the removal of tartar.
- Treat Size: Selecting the recommended treat for your dog's size and weight is imperative in maximising the effectiveness of dental treats. If the treat is too small, your dog can eat them too quickly and they won't be effective.
- Consistency: Dental treats are most effective with consistent use, so it's recommended that they are given daily to help reduce tartar buildup. Skipping days allows plaque to harden, forming tartar, which is more difficult to remove.
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Further Reading
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Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Tue Apr 1 2025
Edited by Dr Olivia Clarke BSc BVMS MANZCVS (Unusual Pets, Avian)Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr Belinda graduated from The University of Queensland in 2009 and has worked as a Small Animal Veterinarian for over 10 years in South East Queensland. She also has experience as a telehealh consultant, providing veterinary advice for online customers.She has a special interest in animal behaviour, preventative health, the human-animal bond and internal medicine. Outside of work hours she is closely affiliated with a kitten rescue and is also a devoted carer of orphaned rescue kittens.
