Dental sticks for puppies: what to check before you buy
A puppy's teeth and jaw are still developing, so not every dental stick made for an adult dog is a safe choice. Size, texture and hardness matter more here than they do for a fully grown dog, and a teething puppy in particular needs something they genuinely cannot break a hard piece off and swallow.
Why puppy teeth need a different approach
Puppies go through a teething phase, typically between around three and six months, as their baby teeth are replaced by adult teeth, and their gums can be genuinely sore during this time. A chew that is too hard for a puppy's developing mouth can crack a baby tooth or damage an adult tooth that is still coming through.
This is different from an adult dog's fully developed jaw and teeth, which is why a stick labelled and sized for adult dogs is not automatically a safe choice just because it is a dental product.
What to look for on the pack
Choose a size genuinely labelled for puppies or small breeds, with a softer texture than an adult dental stick rather than the same hardness scaled down in size. Avoid anything that can be bitten into hard shards or sharp pieces, since a developing mouth is more vulnerable to injury from this than an adult dog's.
As with any chew, check the size is appropriate for your puppy's current size rather than their expected adult size, and size up as they grow rather than starting with something meant for a fully grown dog of the breed.
When to start, and how often
Most puppies can start with an appropriately sized, softer dental chew once they are settled on solid food and have some supervised chewing experience, though exactly when varies by individual puppy. Dental stick calories count towards a puppy's daily food allowance the same as any treat, and a puppy's smaller stomach means it is easier to overdo treats relative to their size than it is with an adult dog.
Keep frequency reasonable rather than offering multiple chews a day, and adjust regular meals slightly if dental sticks are becoming a regular daily habit.
Supervision matters
Always supervise a puppy with any chew, and remove and replace it once it has been chewed down small enough to pose a choking risk. This applies to dental sticks as much as any other chew, and perhaps more so given how quickly an enthusiastic puppy can work through one.
A dental stick is not a substitute for building good dental habits early — getting a puppy comfortable with having their mouth and teeth handled from a young age makes actual toothbrushing far easier once they are old enough for a proper routine.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Pedigree DentaStix Daily Large Dog Dental Treats
Daily Pedigree DentaStix dental chews portioned for large dogs
£2.29
Pedigree DentaStix Daily Dental Chews Small Dog
Daily Pedigree DentaStix dental chews for small dogs over the label age limit
£2.35
Forthglade Dental Calming Sticks
Dental chew sticks for dogs with added calming botanicals for evening routines
£2.99
Forthglade Natural Dental Sticks 5pk
Forthglade Natural Dental Sticks 5pk: complementary dog chew with dried potato — 170G
£3.00
Dentalife Oral Care Dental Large Dog Chicken
Twelve DENTALIFE chicken dental chews for large dogs, with label facts
£4.35
Dentalife Oral Care Dental Chew Small Dog Chicken
Twenty-one soft daily dental sticks for small dogs, sized to Purina’s 7 to 12kg guide
£4.35
Dentalife Oral Care Dental Chews Medium Dog Chicken
Fifteen daily dental sticks for medium dogs from 12kg to 25kg
£4.35
Pooch & Mutt Dental Sticks Spirulina & Mint
Dental sticks for dogs with spirulina and mint, chicken-flavoured
£3.99
Beaphar Puppy Dental Kit
Beaphar puppy dental kit with 50g camomile toothpaste, a finger brush and a small toothbrush
£7.99
Pedigree Dentastix Fresh Adult Medium Dog Treats
Pedigree DentaStix Fresh daily dental chews for medium dogs each day
£10.29
Whimzees Puppy
Softer dental chews for puppies over three months old, grain free and gluten free
£7.99
Whimzees Toothbrush Daily Dental Dog Chew
A vegetarian daily dental chew for dogs, shaped like a toothbrush
From£0.69
Common questions
- At what age can puppies have dental sticks?
- Most puppies can have an appropriately sized, softer dental chew once they are settled on solid food, though the right age varies by individual puppy and breed. Choose a product genuinely labelled for puppies rather than an adult dental stick scaled down.
- Can teething puppies chew dental sticks?
- A softer, puppy-specific dental stick can be appropriate during teething, but always supervise closely, since sore gums can make a puppy chew less carefully than usual. If your puppy seems to be in discomfort, a vet can advise on more suitable options for the teething period.
- How do dental sticks count towards a puppy's daily food?
- Like any treat, the calories in a dental stick count towards a puppy's total daily food allowance. Given how much smaller a puppy's stomach is relative to their size compared with an adult dog, it is easier to overdo treats than owners often expect.
- Should I supervise my puppy with a dental chew?
- Yes, always. Remove and replace a dental stick once it has been chewed down to a size that could be swallowed whole, and never leave a puppy unsupervised with any chew, dental sticks included.
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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.