Are Dentastix Good for Dogs?

‘Are Dentastix good for dogs?’ is a question many pet parents wonder about.

After all, vets recommend these dental treats, so they must be pretty good for your dog’s teeth.

Let us learn everything there is to know about Dentastix™ and whether they are safe for pets.

Just in case you are in a hurry, click on our short summary below to view our Top 5 reviewed products for the best dentastix as well as some great alternatives to dentastix:

1. Pedigree Dentastix Treats for Large Dogs
2. Pedigree Dentastix Fresh for Toy, Small & Medium Dogs
3. Dentastix Bacon Flavored Dog Snacks
4. Greenies Original Petite Dental Dog Treats
5. Purina DentaLife Small/Medium Adult Dog Treats

What are Dentastix™?

Dentastix™ are special dog chew treats from Pedigree® designed to reduce the tartar on your dog’s teeth by nearly 80%.

They have a unique shape and texture which rubs against your pet’s teeth to remove accumulated food bits and freshen your dog’s breath.

Many pet parents and vets believe that daily Dentastix™ usage can help maintain dogs’ dental health.

However, dental treats should not be used as an alternative to brushing.

You must still brush your pet’s teeth regularly (at least 2-3 times a week) to prevent dental problems.

Are Dentastix™ Good for Dogs?

Dentastix™ are good for dogs and can be considered as a part of your pet’s daily dental healthcare .

There are many benefits of giving dental chewstix and treats to your dog and these benefits extend beyond oral hygiene alone.

Here are some of the benefits of Dentastix™ for dogs:

1. They could prevent dental decay

When your pet chews on Dentastix™ it stimulates the production of saliva.

Saliva removes food accumulations in the teeth and prevents the buildup of plaque and tartar.

Good saliva production also maintains your pet’s oral pH which helps eliminate unwanted bacteria that are responsible for dental caries or cavities in dogs.

2. They act as a toothbrush

Despite your best intentions, it is still likely for you to forget to clean your pet’s teeth after every meal.

If your dog eats dry food, then chances are that the hard kibble eliminates plaque and tartar to some extent.

But, if your pet eats wet or canned food and does not drink water afterward, then the food can get stuck in between its teeth.

If you do not brush your pet’s teeth after every meal, then the food bits can accumulate and start decaying or hardening into plaque.

Over time, these decaying food bits mix with bacteria, causing foul odor as well as dental issues like painful cavities.

Dental chews like Dentastix have a toothbrush like texture that helps remove these stuck food bits.

They rub against your dog’s teeth as it chews them and helps remove the accumulated plaque and tartar.

Even if you do not have the time to brush your pet’s teeth every day, you can simply provide your pet with such dental chews to help remove stuck food bits.

Naturally, regular brushing is still a must and there is no alternative to that.

3. They reduce the risk of periodontal disease

Periodontal disease is the most common oral issue in dogs and cats. Nearly 87% dogs over the age of 3 years can develop this disease.

It can, over time, lead to loose and broken teeth, bleeding gums, and other complications that warrant dental extraction.

Your pet will suffer and not be able to eat dry food.

With daily dental chews or dentastix, you can prevent this serious dental problem in your beloved dog.

4. They Eliminate foul breath

Dentastix™ contain special enzymes which fight harmful oral bacteria.

Not only does this prevent dental decay and cavities, it can also eliminate foul breath.

Isn’t it much better to get licked by a pet that has fresh breath?

5. They satisfy your pet’s natural chewing instinct

With Dentastix, your pet gets an outlet to satisfy its chewing instinct.

Chewing the Dentastix with its unique structure, shape, and texture helps calm and soothe your pet.

In puppies, the chewing action is beneficial during teething phase when its gums are sore and irritated.

Dental chews like Dentastix™ calm your pet, keep it from chewing furniture or shoes, and also provide a way of satisfying its natural chewing instinct.

6. They alleviate boredom

When your dog chews on dental treats like Dentastix™, it gets mentally stimulated.

The chewing calms them down and gives them something meaningful to do.

This can prevent restlessness and boredom in young puppies and also provide them with a mental stimulation to keep the happy and stress-free.

 Are Dentastix™ Safe for Dogs?

Not all pet parents have the time to brush their pet’s teeth every day.

If that is the case with you, you may want to at least give your fur-buddy some chew treats like Dentastix™ to keep its teeth clean and its breath fresh.

However, there have been some concerns about certain ingredients in Dentastix™ which some people believe are not be safe for dogs.

Let us take a look at the first few ingredients in Dentastix:

A. Sodium tripolyphosphate

The main ingredient in dentastix that cleans your pet’s teeth is sodium tripolyphosphate.

Each Dentastix only contains 2.75% of this chemical.

It is a completely safe ingredient which, when ingested in small quantities, isn’t harmful to your dog.

That is why most vets recommend only one dentastix per day.

Food-grade sodium tripolyphosphate is approved by the FDA for daily consumption for humans and pets.

B.  Grains (rice and wheat)

A majority of the Dentastix contain cereals or grains.

Your dog can have grains if it isn’t allergic to them.

Each of these chew treats consist of rice flour and wheat.

These are safe ingredients if your pet has no problem digesting them.

C. L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate

This is a source of Vitamin C which is a well-known antioxidant. There are no known side effects associate with it.

D. Powdered cellulose

In dog food, powdered cellulose acts as a dietary fiber.

Fiber is good for your pet as it adds bulk and keeps your pet regular.

In some pets, too much of powdered cellulose can cause frequent bowel movements and loose stools but it is present in very small quantities so your pet can safely consume one dentastix per day without any adverse effects.

Stop feeding dentastix if you notice diarrhea or loose stools in your pet.

E.  Glycerin, gum Arabic, gelatin

Glycerin is a binding agent. Food-grade glycerin in small quantities is not harmful to your pet.

Gum Arabic – Also called acacia gum, this is a natural binder and processing agent used in sugar-free deserts for humans. In small quantities, it is not known to cause any adverse effects.

Gelatin- Gelatin is quite safe for your dog and even known to benefit pets with arthritis. It also keeps the brain active and is beneficial for your pet’s fur as well.

As you can see, there are no harmful ingredients in Dentastix and you can safely give one dentastix per day to your pet to keep its teeth healthy. That answers the question: are dentastix good for dogs ?

Best Dentastix – 2022 Top 3 Picks

1.  Pedigree Dentastix Treats for Large Dogs

These are the original DENTASTIX treats. They have a patented X shape that easily reaches all the way down to the gumline for a three-fold action:

• Dentastix cleans teeth.
• Freshens breath
• It is clinically proven to reduce plaque and tartar.

The ingredients in these treats are perfectly safe for your pet. It contains wheat, rice, sodium tripolyphosphate, vitamins, and green tea extracts.

There are DENTASTIX for small and medium dog breeds.

You can check them out here: Pedigree DENTASTIX Treats for Small/Medium Dogs, 15-40 lbs.

For puppies and small or toy breeds, you can go in for Pedigree DENTASTIX Adult & Puppy Toy/Small Treats for Dogs 5-20lbs.

2. Pedigree Dentastix Fresh for Toy, Small & Medium Dogs

This DENTASTIX product is green in color and has a fresh mint flavor which will freshen up your pet’s breath.

It is perfect for small, toy, and medium breeds.

There is a version for larger dog breeds you can get it here:Pedigree Dentastix Fresh Treats for Large Dogs, 30+ pounds.

All ingredients in this version of dentastix are perfectly safe and any chemicals used are in miniscule quantities and FDA approved.

3. Dentastix Bacon Flavored Dog Snacks

These bacon-flavored treats are suitable for dogs above 5lb and over 6 months of age.

You also can get bacon-flavored Dentastix for larger breeds here: Pedigree DENTASTIX Treats for Large Dogs, 30+ lbs

This tasty bacon flavor is a huge hit with most dogs and it is a huge bonus that it freshens your pet’s breath while also cleaning tartar and plaque.

Some Great Alternatives to Dentastix™ 

Are Dentastix good for dogs ? Yes, but the following alternatives are also great.

4. Greenies Original Petite Dental Dog Treats

One treat a day of Greenies is all it takes to keep your pet’s teeth clean, white, and healthy and its breath fresh and odor-free.

We love the fact that Greenies has added tons of vitamins and minerals to these treats so your pet can benefit in more than one way.

Greenies has a unique brush-and-bone shaped structure with a ribbed texture that cleans, brushes, and eliminates plaque, tartar, and stuck food bits.

Your pet will be glad for this delicious treat while you will be glad that this balanced treat also contains wonderful nutrition for your pet’s overall health and wellbeing.

The Veterinary Oral Health Council has approved of these dental treats.

There are no harmful ingredients (it is also free from sodium tripolyphosphate found in dentastix) and no allergic reactions have been reported in any dogs treated with these delicious and nutritious dental treats.

5.  Purina DentaLife Small/Medium Adult Dog Treats

DentaLife from Purina fights bad breath at its source while also providing your pet with spirulina – a superfood that is rich in many vitamins and minerals.

Purina DentaLife dental sticks are free from artificial flavors and preservatives and its active ingredients are honey and spirulina.

Each treat also contains active ingredients that are scientifically proven to attack the root cause of bad breath- plaque, tartar, and accumulated food bits.

There are 9 distinct ridges on each treat to keep your pet engaged for hours of satisfying chewing.

FAQs on Dentastix

1. Are dentastix safe for puppies?

Yes, Dentastix™ are safe for puppies aged above 6 months of age or weighing over 5lb in weight. Select the right Dentastix™ according to your pet’s weight.

You must also monitor your pet when it is eating this treat to ensure it does not choke on it.

All Dentastix products recommend feeding one treat per day. You can also discuss with your vet about the right dosage for your puppy.

2. How many Dentastix™ can a puppy have?

Dentastix are only for puppies over the age of 6 months or weighing more than 5 lb. in weight.

Vets recommend feeding no more than one Dentastix™ per day. This applies to adult dogs as well.

Even the package feeding instructions on each Dentastix product recommends feeding just one treat per day per dog.

3. Can my dog have a Dentastix™ every day?

Are Dentastix good for dogs ? Yes. One Dentastix™ a day could keep the dentist away for your pet!

Feed the right size of dentastix based on your pet’s age, breed type, and weight.

4. What are the best dental sticks for dogs?

We have reviewed some of the best dental stick treats for your pet later in this guide. This includes Dentastix and dental treats from other brands too.

5. Are Greenies better than Dentastix?

Both, dental treats from Greenies and Dentastix, are completely safe. Greenies contains more natural ingredients and is fortified with many vitamins and minerals.

Moreover, Greenies does not contain sodium tripolyphosphate that is found in Dentastix. But, it does contain wheat gluten which some dogs could be allergic to.

It is worth mentioning again that Greenies dental treats have been approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council.

In short: dental treats from both brands are safe when fed in moderation. That also answers your question are Dentastix good for dogs ?

As stated before, you can easily feed one dental treat – either Greenies or Dentastix) quite safely and without adverse reactions.

6. Do Dentastix and other dental treats actually work?

Are Dentastix good for dogs ? Yes, dentastix and other dental treats could eliminate plaque and tartar.

Dental chews like Greenies are even approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council and vets recommend feeding one dental treat per day to eliminate bacteria, plaque, tartar, and freshen up your pet’s breath.

However, you must still clean your pet’s teeth with enzymatic toothpastes a few times a week for deeper cleaning.

Also Read: Can Cats Drink Orange Juice

Conclusion

Are Dentastix good for dogs? Yes, we believe they are, especially when you feed them in moderation.

This means feeding one Dentastix per day, no more. This also applies to all dentastix alternatives like Greenies and dental treats from other brands as well.

Many vets recommend Dentastix as they believe they eliminate plaque and tartar and freshen up your pet’s breath.

However, you still must brush your pet’s teeth a couple of times a week and not rely on dental treats alone.

We hope this guide helps you find the right Dentastix or other dental treats for your pet.