Dog dental sticks
Dental sticks are a chewable treat shaped and textured to help reduce plaque and tartar build-up on a dog's teeth as they chew, working alongside regular brushing rather than replacing it. They are one of the more convenient dental products because most dogs treat them as a treat rather than a chore, which makes them easier to give consistently than brushing alone.
How dental sticks actually work
The mechanical action of chewing a textured stick helps scrape some plaque off the tooth surface as a dog works through it, and some formulations include ingredients intended to help reduce tartar build-up or freshen breath further. The ridged or textured shape is doing most of the practical work, which is why a dog that gulps a stick down whole rather than chewing it properly gets much less benefit.
Dental sticks are a supplement to dental care, not a substitute for brushing or veterinary dental checks. They can meaningfully help reduce plaque between brushes, but they will not remove existing tartar or address a dental problem that has already developed. A dog with visibly poor teeth, bad breath that persists, or obvious discomfort while eating needs a proper veterinary dental assessment rather than a chew-based fix.
Choosing the right size and frequency
Dental sticks come sized for different dog weights, and using the correct size for your dog matters both for the intended chewing benefit and to avoid a stick that is too large or too small for their mouth. A stick sized for a large dog given to a small one is more likely to be swallowed in bigger pieces than properly chewed.
Most dental products are designed to be given daily as part of a normal routine, but they are still an extra on top of a dog's regular diet, so factor the calories into their overall daily intake, particularly for a dog who is overweight or on a restricted diet. Some ranges offer a lower-calorie option specifically for dogs on a weight management plan, which is worth checking for if daily dental chews would otherwise add up.
What to watch for
Supervise a dog with a new dental stick until you know how they eat it, since a determined dog who tries to swallow a large piece rather than chewing it through can be a choking risk, the same as with any chew.
If your dog has existing dental disease, very worn or missing teeth, or is otherwise unable to chew properly, check with your vet about whether dental chews are appropriate before introducing them, since a proper dental check may be needed before a chew-based approach makes sense.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Chicken-Wrapped Milk Stick Dog Treats
Chewy dog treats of soft milk sticks wrapped in real chicken for tasty, protein-rich rewarding.
From£12.99
Dried Catnip & Cat Grass Leaf Treats
A tub of dried catnip and cat grass leaves to sprinkle over toys, scratchers and bedding.
From£8.99
Whiskas 1+ Lamb Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete lamb dry food for adult cats in a practical 1.9KG bag
£12.39
Whiskas 1 Tuna Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete tuna dry food for adult cats, offered in several bag sizes
From£3.19
Whiskas Kitten Chicken Dry Cat Food
Complete chicken dry food for kittens, available in several bag sizes
From£3.19
Whiskas 7+ Senior Cat Complete Dry with Chicken
Complete chicken dry food for senior cats aged 7+ in a 1.9KG bag
£12.39
Catit Nibbly Jerky Chicken & Fish Treats
Soft chicken and fish jerky treats for cats, two named meats high on the list, grain free
£1.89
Catit Creamy Tuna Treats 4 Pk
Lickable 26% tuna purée tubes for cats, 4 x 10g, up to 3 a day in place of main meal
£1.89
Dreamies Meaty Sticks Adult Cat Treats with Scrumptious Salmon
Soft meaty stick treats for adult cats with salmon, individually wrapped, not for kittens
£1.59
Dreamies Creamy Adult Cat & Kitten Treats with Scrumptious Salmon
Creamy lickable salmon treats for cats and kittens, in a 40g pack with taurine
£1.59
Long-Handled Silicone Pet Toothbrush
A food-grade silicone toothbrush with fine soft bristles on a long, paw-shaped handle that reaches back teeth comfortably. Gentle on gums and helps keep your pet's mouth fresh and clean.
£7.99
Stop Bloody Scratching Treats Chicken Flavour 90 Tablets
Chicken-flavoured tablets from Pets Calm Down, made in the UK, ninety to a pack, given daily as a treat to support skin and coat condition in itchy dogs.
£22.99
Common questions
- Do dental sticks actually work for dogs' teeth?
- They can meaningfully help reduce plaque build-up between brushes, mainly through the mechanical action of chewing the textured stick. They work best alongside regular brushing and veterinary dental checks, rather than as a replacement for either.
- How often should I give my dog a dental stick?
- Most are designed to be given daily as part of a normal dental routine, but check the specific product's guidance and factor the calories into your dog's overall daily food, particularly if they are overweight or on a restricted diet.
- Can dental sticks replace brushing my dog's teeth?
- No. Dental sticks are a helpful supplement to dental care, but brushing reaches surfaces and areas a chew cannot, and dental sticks will not remove tartar that has already built up. Use both together for the best result.
- Are dental sticks a choking risk?
- They can be if a dog swallows large pieces rather than chewing them properly, the same as with any chew treat. Choose the correct size for your dog's weight and supervise a new dental stick until you know how they eat it.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.