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.
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
NanoSanitas Advanced No-Brush Dental Gel for Dogs & Cats
A brush-free dental gel for dogs and cats, formulated with silver nanoparticles and papaya extract to help reduce plaque and freshen breath.
£14.99
Forthglade Natural Dental Sticks 5pk
Forthglade Natural Dental Sticks 5pk: complementary dog chew with dried potato — 170G
£3.00
Forthglade Dental Calming Sticks
Dental chew sticks for dogs with added calming botanicals for evening routines
£2.99
Pet Dental Cleaning Wipes (50 Pack)
A tub of 50 textured finger wipes that lift plaque and freshen breath for dogs and cats without a toothbrush. Slip one over your finger and wipe teeth clean for easy daily dental care.
£9.99
Pedigree Dentastix Light Daily Dental Chews Dog
Pedigree DentaStix Light daily dental chews for medium and large dogs
£2.35
Pedigree Dentastix Light Dog
Pedigree DentaStix Light dental chews across small, medium and large sizes
From£2.35
Pet Oral Spray for Dogs & Cats
A 100ml pet oral spray for dogs and cats that helps promote fresh breath and cleaner teeth. Simply spray onto teeth and gums - no brushing needed for daily oral care.
£8.99
Pedigree Dentastix Fresh Daily Dog Dental Treats
The daily dental stick people ask for by name, sized for small, medium or large dogs
From£2.35
Pedigree DentaStix Daily Dental Chews Small Dog
Daily Pedigree DentaStix dental chews for small dogs over the label age limit
£2.35
Pedigree DentaStix Daily Large Dog Dental Treats
Daily Pedigree DentaStix dental chews portioned for large dogs
£2.29
Harringtons Puppy Turkey & Rice
Complete turkey puppy food with 30% protein and feeding bands by adult weight
£6.49
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.
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.