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Best Dental Sticks for Dogs

Angela Vuckovic
by Angela Vuckovic
Published:  February 25th, 2022

Dental sticks for dogs help your pet maintain oral hygiene while enjoying a yummy treat at the same time. Tasty, nutritious, and super fun, dental sticks for dogs come in all kinds of flavors and textures – here are some of our favorites!

Keeping your pet’s teeth clean and healthy should be your priority – those sparkly canines won’t stay sparkly on their own! Poor oral hygiene and inadequate diet can lead to many dental problems, and plaque, bacteria, tartar, and sore gums can seriously threaten your dog’s wellbeing. While teeth brushing is the primary way to keep your pet’s teeth clean, it’s not the only one – dental sticks for dogs can greatly help with this. Ideally textured for removing plaque, and with all the added benefits to boost oral health such as breath-freshening ingredients, these sticks will be a true lifesaver for any dog owner. And if you’re interested in the very best dental sticks for dogs on the market, read on!

1. Editor’s Choice: iHeartDogs Brushy Sticks – Dental Treats for Dogs

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One of the best ways to keep a dog’s teeth healthy and to remove all that plaque and tartar is with dental sticks for dogs. iHeartDogs is a brand that aims to provide your pet with the best dental treatment – besides brushing. These daily doggo treats are made with tasty chicken and are completely free from grains and artificial ingredients. Delicious and efficient, these dental snacks are ideal for reducing the buildup of tartar, plaque, and bacteria, and they also freshen your pet’s breath and make those chompers sparkly and white. It is a fantastic way to boost your pet’s oral hygiene, and utilize healthy treats as rewards. Moreover, each purchase of iHeartDogs products helps donate meals for sheltered doggos across America.

Pros

  • Improves oral hygiene
  • Supports sheltered dogs
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Can dry out quickly

2. Runner Up: Pedigree DENTASTIX Treats for Large Dogs

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Designed specifically for improving your pet’s oral hygiene, these dental sticks have what it takes to make bad breath and plaque a thing of the past. This original recipe comes in a combination of three irresistible flavors: lean and yummy chicken, irresistible beef for a protein boost, and fresh mint whose scent will neutralize bad doggo breath. X-shaped and perfectly chewy, these sticks will be ideal for large dogs and will help keep their teeth sharp and shiny. Needless to say, DENTASTIX is ideal for removing that stubborn buildup of tartar, which can be a potential threat for so many pets.

Pros

  • Unique X-shape
  • Varied flavors
  • Freshens breath

Cons

  • Only suited for large dog breeds

3. Customer’s Choice: Blue Buffalo Dental Bones Natural Adult Dental Chew Dog Treats

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The saying “you’re like a dog with a bone” didn’t appear out of the blue – pooches really love gnawing on bones. Blue Buffalo kept that in mind and designed their dental sticks in the shape of tiny bones. Interestingly, this shape, combined with the unique texture of these treats, proved to be a fantastic benefit for oral hygiene. These chews help keep your pet’s breath fresh and also clean the teeth, giving them their old shine back. This recipe is free from wheat and other grains and contains no by-product meats. Also included is parsley, which helps freshen the breath, as well as peas and blueberries, which can help with digestion. Bulky and chewy, these dental sticks are ideal for massaging the gums and stimulating healthy teeth development. Not to mention the removal of plaque and tartar! What is more, you can choose from several sizes from mini to large so you can find the perfect match for your pet.

Pros

  • Several size choices
  • Great for gum health
  • Added parsley for naturally fresh breath

Cons

  • Somewhat pricey

4. Best Vet Developed: The Missing Link Smartmouth Vet Developed Dental Chew Treats

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If your vet recommends it, it’s bound to be good, but what is even better is when a vet develops it! These unique dental sticks boast many benefits – their formula helps with overall dental hygiene, freshens the breath, but it also helps with joints, heart, skin, and digestion. This is all thanks to the blend of vitamins that are included. This means that your pet won’t just have great dental hygiene, but will also get an overall health boost. The unique ridged design is ideal for massaging gums, while the crunchy texture is great for removing the tartar. Needless to say, these sticks contain no GMO, no grains, no artificial colors or flavors, and are completely gluten-free. Full of the good stuff, these are more than dental sticks – these are healthy, nutritious treats that will benefit your pet in the long run. Those vets sure know what they’re doing!

Pros

  • 7-in-1 benefits
  • Unique ridged shape
  • Helps digestion
  • Good for the skin

Cons

  • Just for small breed dogs

5. Best Tartar Control: C.E.T. VEGGIEDENT Flex Tartar Control Chews for Dogs

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Tartar is a real menace! If you neglect your dog’s dental hygiene, plaque, tartar, and bacteria can quickly get a foothold in their mouth. And with that, the teeth will rot in no time. That’s no good for a dog! These unique Veggiedent dental sticks are great for keeping tartar away and build-up under control. The special formula helps clean teeth, freshen breath, remove tartar, and also helps with proper digestion. These sticks are plant-based, which is a rarity and makes them super healthy and nutritious. One of the special ingredients is the Biovaflex eggshell membrane, a novelty substance that really helps improve joint health. Furthermore, these sticks contain probiotics, helping with digestion. But, of course, their main benefit is centered on oral hygiene. Regular use of these treats will ensure that your dog has shiny teeth, a fresh breath, and no plaque of tartar at all!

Pros

  • Contains unique biovaflex eggshell membrane
  • Contains probiotics
  • Great for oral hygiene
  • Comes in various sizes

Cons

  • Not ideal for dogs with sensitive tummies

6. Best Daily Dental Sticks for Dogs: Purina DentaLife Daily Oral Care

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While your doggo munches on these treats with absolute joy, they in turn will do wonders for the teeth! This special design has a unique ridged shape and a crunchy porous texture that helps grind away that stubborn plaque and tartar, and also reach deep into the crevices and clean them. In fact, these dental sticks for dogs are scientifically proven to have a 57% average reduction in tartar buildup. And thanks to their unique density and texture, they are great for stimulating the gums and keeping oral hygiene at the top. You can choose from several package options, ranging from 18 to 60 treats, which allow you to adapt to your needs and keep these dental treats always close at hand.

Pros

  • A great choice of package sizes
  • Unique texture helps clean teeth
  • Great for the gums

Cons

  • Might be too big for small dogs

7. Best Grain Free: WHIMZEES Natural Grain Free Daily Dental Dog Treats

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These unique “brushzees” from Whimzees are some of the best and most unique dental sticks out there! The first thing you can notice is the shape. It’s full of twists and little ridges, which is crucial for cleaning your pet’s teeth from plaque and tartar. Besides, the shape ensures a playful but effective way for your pet to clean their teeth – they certainly won’t resist the curious shape of these brushzees! These dental sticks last 3 times longer than some of the classic ones and can clean the teeth up to two times better. All of this is thanks to a unique formula that keeps things natural, without any artificial ingredients. One per day keeps the doggy dentist away! A great way to keep your pet’s breath fresh, and the teeth clean and strong.

Pros

  • Unique ridged shape
  • Lasts 3 times longer
  • Four different sizes to choose from

Cons

  • Can upset a more sensitive stomach

8. Best for Picky Dogs: Arm & Hammer Fruit Twisters Dental Treats for Dogs

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Who said that dental sticks have to be bland, minty, or unappetizing? Arm & Hammer endeavors to change this for good with these unique fruity dental treats. This unique formula, infused with baking soda, is a superb way to keep teeth healthy while catering to the pooches with more “refined” tastes. These sticks come in several delicious flavors: banana, mint, blueberry, green apple, and strawberry. Each one will keep your pet’s breath smelling fresh and dainty, but will also help remove the buildup of tartar and plaque, and stimulate the gums to keep the oral hygiene at its prime. Infused with baking soda, these sticks are 100% safe for dogs, and made with natural ingredients to ensure the optimal benefits for your four-legged friend.

Pros

  • Unique fruity flavors
  • Baking soda infused
  • Great twisted shape

Cons

  • Might be too soft for aggressive chewers

9. Best Breath-Freshening: GREENIES Fresh Natural Dental Dog Treats

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For ages, mint has been the number one choice of flavor for keeping breath fresh and hygienic! And if it works – why change it? These unique Greenies natural dental sticks for dogs are proudly sticking to the minty tradition. Unlike some other treats that are crunchy and break apart, these greenies are chewy and gummy, allowing for a thorough clean of the teeth and longer massaging of the gums. Even so, they are very easy to digest thanks to highly soluble ingredients. Of course, natural spearmint is the chief ingredient here and helps kill bacteria and freshen breath. Greenies are natural, safe, delicious, and highly effective – and that is all that matters!

Pros

  • Chewy
  • Refreshing spearmint flavor
  • Easily digestible

Cons

  • Might be too chewy for senior dogs

10. Best for Puppies: Get Naked Grain Free Puppy Health Dental Chew Sticks

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Sometimes, dental chews can help with more than just teeth. In fact, with added vitamins and nutrients, dental sticks for dogs can benefit everything from brain development to coat. These unique chewy sticks are ideal exactly due to this! Free from lactose, gluten, or grain, and made with chicken meat, these chews are some of the healthiest out there. But it gets even better: they contain calcium, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, as well as DHA. All of these are crucial for the healthy development of dogs, especially puppies. Add to that a bunch of protein that these chews have, and you’ll ensure that your puppy grows up smart and strong. Of course, oral hygiene will be kept at the maximum: these chews help soothe sore gums and that nasty teething pain.

Pros

  • Full of vitamins and acids
  • Rich in protein
  • Great for oral hygiene

Cons

  • Not a hit with picky eaters

What are the Benefits of Dental Sticks for Dogs?

A dental stick is much more than just a tasty treat. Sure, it can be used as a daily reward or a snack, but it carries so many benefits besides this. Here are just a few main reasons why you should utilize dental sticks in your dog’s daily routine.

Reduces plaque and tartar

Plaque, tartar, and bacteria can be such a nuisance – for both dogs and their owners. Without proper care, they can build up on your dog’s teeth, rotting away the roots and causing a lot of pain and trouble. But dental sticks can help, thanks to their porous texture and special ingredients. In just a few weeks of use, you can see a significant improvement in levels of tartar.

Keeps breath fresh

Let’s face it: doggo breath is not the best one out there. Doggos don’t mind a smelly breath, but you certainly will. Thankfully, a lot of dental sticks can help with this. Most of them utilize minty flavors that are strong and long-lasting. That way, you can smooch your four-legged friend as much as you want – without inhaling that nauseating stinky breath.

Soothes sore gums

Both puppies and senior dogs can suffer from sensitive teeth, sore gums, and teething problems. If left unchecked, these issues can really affect your pet. Thankfully, many of these dental sticks will ensure that blood flow is returned to the gums, improving their regeneration and overall health. Try it and see! Your dog will definitely be grateful.

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Angela Vuckovic
Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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One-year deadline imposed by the US National Park Service to shift almost 200 cats from 16th-century El Morro fortress.

Latest Studies Find That Aging in Dogs Can Mirror Aging in Humans

In the United States alone, pet owners spend around $1,500 a year on  veterinary care. To be precise, people tend to spend more on dogs than on any other pets – up to 41% of Americans spend $2,000 per year caring about their cherished canine friends. Of course, this is all in the hopes that their pet reaches their senior age with minimal issues and that they get to spend as many years enjoying their company. While providing veterinary care is an important factor that contributes to a pet’s longevity, it’s not always easy to determine when a certain procedure or treatment will help prolong your pet’s life and not their suffering. By comparing the concept they labeled “frailty” in humans and in dogs, a team of researchers hopes that they can help owners make better decisions about their pet’s care.Scientists behind the “ Dog Aging Project” are studying how they could improve your dog’s quality of life for many years to come. The team from the University of Washington is conducting extensive research, based on dogs of all ages, in their attempts to determine how their quality of life is impacted as they age. Dr. Anya Gambino, one of the chief veterinarians working on the project, says: “There's a quantity of life. It's amazing to have a long life, but you always want to have quality of life." The team’s UW Biologist and the Co-Director of the Project, Daniel Promislow, quickly drew a parallel with humans. "Dogs get the same kinds of diseases that humans get. They also show the same kinds of frailty that we see in humans," he said.The so-called “frailty” of dogs, which is the object of the study, is already studied in humans. Dr. Promislow firmly believes that through this study, researchers can gain a much better understanding of life expectancies in dogs and potential disease risks as well. "We hope we'll be able to figure out the relationship between frailty and the disease," Promislow says. But what exactly is this “frailty”? Researchers describe it as "a complex syndrome associated with aging. Because it considers physical, mental and emotional changes associated with aging, it is a better indicator of the body’s condition and overall health than age alone.""If we can do that, we can help vets treat dogs earlier before those diseases are apparent and can also help dogs enjoy their later years to the best degree possible," said Promislow.The study is on a very grand scale and already enrolls over 46,000 dogs across the United States. What is best, researchers believe that humans can also benefit from this extensive study. "The other thing about aging in dogs is that aging in dogs looks a lot like aging in people," said Promislow. "What we learn about aging in dogs is going to help us learn about aging in people, as well."Hopefully, this would mean that many more dogs would get a chance to enjoy their golden years, right by their owner's side. "They provide us with so much unconditional love, joy, and humor," said Dr. Gambino. "We can do something for them that gives them the best chance for living a very happy life with us."

Dog Rescued After Surviving a 60-foot Fall from Michigan Cliff

A family’s trip to one of Michigan’s most beautiful landmarks almost ended tragically, when their dog took a tumble from a cliff. The adventurous dog, named Dancer, was rescued after surviving a 60-foot fall from a cliff and spending a freezing night alone in the wilderness. The three-year-old pooch had escaped her leash and plunged off a steep cliff near Miners Castle, in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore area in Munising, Michigan. The lakeshore runs alongside Lake Superior and is located in Michigan’s Upper Penninsula. The National Park Service (NPS) shared in a news release that Dancer fell 60 feet off a cliff to a ledge below. The dog’s owners spent hours searching the area but were unable to find the dog and were convinced that she didn’t survive the fall. Rangers at the nearby Pictured Rocks Park received a message about the lost pooch and decided to enlist the help of Superior High Angle Rescue Professionals (SHARP), a local rope rescue team, to search for the dog. The following morning SHARP members Erik Olsen, Westley Shaffer, and Tyler Davis went to the area and were able to find Dancer, who was cold, but alive. “Though she has spent the night trying to keep warm, she was excited to see the rescuers,” the service wrote. Dancer, who was described as a “professional troublemaker” didn’t have any reported injuries. The lucky pooch has since been reunited with her family and is recovering well after spending the night alone in the wilderness. The park service noted that Dancer was extremely lucky and although her story has a happy ending, her fall should serve as a reminder to everyone that areas of Pictured Rocks can get very cold and extremely slippery.“With this year’s mild start to winter, many areas of Pictured Rocks are more accessible than they are most years,” Chief Ranger Joe Hughes explained. “It is still important to remember to be prepared for slippery, cold conditions that can change quickly.”Whether you’re planning to hit a local trail with your pooch or are planning a trip to a state park, keep your pooch on a leash. Make sure that your pup’s harness is fitted properly so that your pooch can’t wiggle out of it, even if it tries. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

New Study Reveals Dogs Can Sniff Out Neurodegenerative Diseases

We all know that doggos have incredible noses and a superb sense of smell. It is tens of thousands of times stronger than our own. This makes us wonder – what secrets can such a sense of smell unveil? Many scientists consider the canine sense of smell a great potential to enhance human lives thanks to its accuracy. And that is exactly what was unveiled in a recent study published in “bioRxiv”, by researchers Samuel V. Johnston and Lisa Holt from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Thanks to their efforts, and the incredible abilities of doggos, it was revealed that our four-legged friends have the potential to detect neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s disease is a terrible condition, affecting primarily seniors. What is even worse is that this disease has many difficulties in diagnosis, which prevents doctors from accurately identifying the disease in the early stages. But the breakthrough study could change all that! Thanks to doggos and their powerful noses, we could be on the brink of completely changing the way Parkinson’s is diagnosed. “Dogs have an extraordinary olfactory capability, which far exceeds that of humans. Dogs’ sense of smell seems to be the main sense, allowing them to not only gather both current and historical information about their surrounding environment, but also to find the source of the smell, which is crucial for locating food, danger, or partners for reproduction.”  writes Agata Kusiak, from the Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University. “Dogs can be trained by humans to use their olfactory abilities in a variety of fields, with a detection limit often much lower than that of sophisticated laboratory instruments.”Utilizing this remarkable sense of smell, scientists trained 23 dogs of different breeds and backgrounds, to successfully differentiate between samples of both Parkinson’s-positive individuals and Parkinson’s-negative individuals. The results were more than successful, with the dogs showcasing 86% sensitivity and 89% specificity in distinguishing the samples. In many ways, this is a revolutionary study and opens new doors and new possibilities in medical diagnostics. What is even better, it offers new hope for the timely detection of Parkinson’s disease. However, it is important to note that the study is still in relative infancy, and is still awaiting peer review. But the potential here is incredible. If validated, the study could help improve patient outcomes, and help with early diagnosis of this troubling disease.

Yoga mat, water bottle,... lint roller?

Furry friends bring a new twist to traditional yoga.

Husky Detects a Dangerous Gas Leak and Saves the Entire Neighborhood

Kobe, a four-year-old husky became an internet hero after saving his home and the entire neighborhood from a catastrophic gas leak. According to his owner, Chanell Bell, the canine started digging a large hole in the front yard of their Philadelphia home. At first, Bell didn’t think much of Kobe’s strange behavior. However, as the hole grew bigger, she became concerned that Kobe was trying to tell her something.“I trust his judgment because that isn’t his typical behavior and he is usually right,” said Bell, according to PEOPLE. “He has great senses and he never digs holes unless he is helping me dig; I knew something was up.”Earlier in the month, Bell had a gas leak in the house, and out of caution, she decided to check the hole Kobe dug with a gas detection device. “I had a reader already in the house to make sure there were no leaks coming from my old heater,” explained Bell. “When I saw the hole, I realized it was odd behavior for my dog. My intuition told me to check it.”Immediately the device detected gas. A potentially catastrophic amount of gas was coming from the hole Kobe dug in the yard!Bell alerted authorities right away and they informed her that the entire neighborhood should be grateful that Kobe detected the leak when he did. “We were told it could’ve caused serious health effects like respiratory issues, brain damage, and even death. They told me that something as simple as a light switch turning on could’ve caused an explosion, too.”As soon as they arrived at the address, the gas foreman and crew turned off the gas and started to work on the pipes. During the repairs, the crew discovered three other gas leaks in the neighborhood, all caused by old pipes. The crew worked for three days to repair the leaks and install new pipes. Workers told Bell that something as simple as turning on a light switch could have caused the gas to ignite and blow up the entire house. While they worked, the crew praised Kobe.“They were so impressed with Kobe and mentioned what a good dog he was,” said Bell, adding that people should always listen to their pets and their senses. The gas company said that it adds Marcaptan to the natural gas it administers to homes to produce a smell similar to rotten eggs to allow for easier leak detection. “Just like this customer, any time anyone smells a foreign odor or egg-like smell, they should immediately call,” said the utility company, in a statement. “It feels amazing to know Kobe saved our block, I am very thankful to have him,” added Bell. “I hope this spreads awareness to others about the dangers and severity of gas leaks and to pay attention to your fur babies!”  Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

How Do I Fix My Cat's Matted Fur?

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Top 10 Dumbest Dog Breeds
Top 10 Dumbest Dog Breeds
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Newfoundland Dogs Deliver Your Tree at This US Christmas Tree Farm

“It’s a great way to expose people to the joy of Christmas but also teach people about Newfoundland dogs,” explained Lindsay Eshelman when asked about her family farm. “They’re big, and sometimes people are scared of big dogs, and we want to show that they’re gentle giants.”The Esheman family’s love of the breed is evident, with four Newfoundland dogs currently among their ranks. But they didn’t want to stop there. By inviting Newfies from far and wide to come together, they have rightfully earned the title “The Newfoundland Farm.” The event has become a big part of what they do, a tradition they excitedly look forward to year after year.“We are a destination for these dogs,” Eshelman said. “We actually have had people drive all the way from Vermont, Maine, Ohio – those are ten-plus hour-long drives.”Are you interested in joining the festivities next year, but your dog doesn’t quite fit the breed? Don’t worry! Their Facebook states that all dogs are welcome, not just Newfies. If your dog isn’t keen on public spaces, that’s okay too! Dog lovers are welcome to join in with or without a dog. There will be plenty of adorable pups eager to enjoy your attention.So, start planning your trip to Pennsylvania next year to participate in Newfoundland Day and make some unique holiday memories.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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