Your dog’s oral care is an important part of their overall well-being. Taking a brush to a reluctant pup’s teeth, however, can be destructive to your well-being if you’re not careful. Most pets are not a fan of having their teeth brushed, yet built-up plaque and tartar must be removed to ensure their teeth last through their lifetime.
A great way to reduce the amount of brushing is by providing your pet with a dental treat. The problem is picking out the right one. There are so many different brands available that it can be hard to navigate the pet aisle. Even once you’ve narrowed it down to a few options, there are so many opinions, reviews, statistics, and ingredients, that figuring out which one to choose can be even more difficult.
In the article below, we have picked two of the most popular dental chews to review and compare: OraVet and Greenies. We will get into all the important details such as the ingredients, effectiveness, production, and manufacturing, plus any recalls either brand may have had.
A Sneak Peek at the Winner: OraVet
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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OraVet Dental Chews |
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Check Latest Price |
Runner-Up
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Greenies Grain-Free Dog Treats |
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Not that we like to spoil the surprise, but we wanted to give you a sneak peek of the winner. In our opinion, OraVet is the best option for your dog. This is the only dental treat available on the market that has an active ingredient that is clinically proven to not only reduce bacteria build-up but also prevent it from happening in the future.
Although OraVet is a limited product brand, they also manufacture a dental gel for pups that cannot have treats. Of course, not every product is perfect, so keep reading below to find out where OraVet wins and where Greenies may have the edge.
About Greenies
- All-natural formula
- Effective dental hygiene treat
- Various flavors and formulas
- Additional vitamins and minerals
- VOHC approved
- Hard to digest
- Can get stuck in your pet’s throat
- Most formulas contain gluten
Greenies Dental Treats are one of the most popular brands available for canine oral health. They are available in a brush-like design that has ridges to clean your pet’s teeth of plaque and tartar. Not only that, but they are also effective at making your pet’s teeth nice and white, plus it will help freshen their breath.
Greenies also manufacture Pill Pockets, which is a capsule hiding snack that will eliminate the smell and taste of medication. Furthermore, they have a few other items such as breath freshening bites. That being said, Greenies most popular products are dental chews. They come in different sizes to accommodate all canine breeds, plus they have formulas such as grain-free, weight management, and aging care. Below, we will take a deeper look into their ingredients, manufacturing, nutritional value, and other important details.
Ingredients
One point in the Greenies’ favor is that they are recognized by the Veterinarian Oral Health Council, and they have their seal of approval. The formula is all-natural, and it is recommended that you give your dog one treat per day.
The ingredients found in the formula are pretty basic; however, there are one or two items of concern.
- Wheat: Most dogs have a difficult time processing wheat and other grains. Not to mention, many pets suffer from food allergies such as gluten. It is important to know, however, that Greenies does offer a grain-free option.
- Choline Chloride: This ingredient is part of the B complex. It is an important supplement for your pet to promote growth and well-being.
- Biotin: Biotin is another great supplement in Greenies that supports your pet’s immune systems. Not only that, but it is a vitamin and mineral booster that helps these essential nutrients soak into your pet’s system.
Besides these ingredients, there are also a variety of additional vitamins and minerals in Greenies that promote your dog’s overall well-being and their oral hygiene.
Another aspect of a dog’s dental treat you want to look at is their nutritional value. In this case, Greenies have great levels of protein to keep your dog energized and healthy. Experts recommend that you provide your pup with between 18 and 26% crude fiber per day.
When it comes to fat content, dogs typically need more fat in their diets then we do. Canines turn fat into energy that boosts their metabolism. The fat content that is appropriate for your dog can have a lot to do with their dietary needs. Greenies provide a minimum of 5.5% and a maximum of 7.0% fat.
Two other important items you want to look at is the calories and fiber value. As far as the calories, it can vary depending on the size and flavor of the treat you choose, however, the average rating is decent. Not great, but not bad. As far as fiber, Greenies offers 6% of your dog’s daily fiber needs in each treat, which is again decent.
Manufacturing and Sourcing
Mars Petcare company is the overhead corporation that owns Greenies Dental Dog Treats. In 1996, a couple by the name of Joe and Judy Roetheli developed the brand as a way to freshen their dog’s breath. They wanted to create a natural product that would not only provide dental hygiene but would also be beneficial to their pet’s health.
In 2006, Joe and Judy signed Greenies over to the Mars company. Greenies maintains their Kansas City home office and manufactures, produces, and packs its products in the United States. That being said, they do source their ingredients from different locations around the world. Though they do uphold that all of their facilities are held to the AAFCO guidelines, it is unclear where some of their ingredients are coming from.
Overall Effectiveness
As mentioned, Greenies has been one of the most popular dental dog treats for many years. This is due to the treat’s overall effectiveness in providing oral hygiene care. The brush-like design has ridges that will scrape your pet’s teeth down to the gum line and remove bacteria-causing plaque and tartar.
What’s more, these treats will also whiten your dog’s smile and freshen their breath. Greenies also carry a variety of flavors such as fresh, blueberry, and bacon. They have different formulations for different dogs such as weight management, aging care, and grain-free. They also make Greenies Breath Buster Bites that can be given several times a day to freshen breath. Plus, their pill pocket snacks are also popular.
Be aware that Greenies’ chews are rather hard and difficult to break down. This is a common issue with dental treats in general. As the construction of the treat does not break down in your pet’s digestive system, it can be difficult to pass. Not only that, but they can get stuck in your pet’s throat, as well.
About OraVet
- Contains the active ingredient delmopinol
- Clinically tested effective formula
- Good flavor
- Does not contain added sugars or salt
- No poultry ingredients
- Not recommended for dogs with sensitive stomachs
- More expensive
- Shorter shelf life
The OraVet Dental Treat is the only brand that has the active ingredient delmopinol HCL. This synthetic supplement reduces tartar and plaque build-up on your dog’s teeth. Not only that, but it coats your pet’s gums and mouth to prevent future bacteria.
This is the only brand of dental treats that has clinical testing and research that indicates the overall effectiveness of the chew. Not only does it clean and prevent bacteria build-up, but it also helps to whiten your pet smile and freshen their breath.
There are several different sizes you can choose from; however, you must choose the correct size based on the weight of your dog. Unfortunately, there has been some indication that the sizing can be off on the label, so contact their customer support if you do not see results.
OraVet treats are a once-a-day dental chew that comes in an individually wrapped package. Another important note is that these snacks do not have a long shelf life once they are opened. Meaning, once you take it out of the package, you must give it to your pet right away.
Ingredients
As mentioned, the active ingredient in this product is 0.7% delmopinol. This ingredient is also patented by the OraVet company. Due to that, the other ingredients are proprietary information, so the entire contents of the formula are not as clear as it otherwise would be.
That being said, we did find some clear indications of what is in the treats.
- Pork protein: This is a protein that can also add flavor to the chew.
- Wheat: Many dogs have allergies to grains, however, so caution is recommended if your pet has any food sensitivities.
- Corn: Unfortunately, corn is very difficult for your dog to digest, and it holds little to no nutritional value.
- Soy: This is an ingredient that many pet owners try to avoid due to its processed nature.
- Sucralose: This ingredient is used as an artificial sweetener. As these things go, this is the least harmful artificial ingredient.
- Potassium sorbate: Used as an artificial preservative, this ingredient has been known to cause skin and eye irritation.
There are several other ingredients within this formula, but these are the most active. As you can see, this formula is not natural. It is formulated without any poultry products, sugars, or added salt, however.
The nutritional value of the OraVet is also a bit harder to determine based on the proprietary formula. That being said, the calorie content is 55 kcal per treat. Like the Greenies, whether this is good or bad can depend on your pet’s dietary needs. The fiber content in this product is an excellent 46.41%.
Manufacturing and Sourcing
OraVet is trademarked by the Merial Company that originates in Australia. They launched OraVet in the United States in 2015. They are also a VOHC approved product; however, they were originally only available through your veterinarian’s office. Since then, they have been expanded to sites such as Amazon, Chewy, and other pet stores.
OraVet is manufactured in the United States. Again, as the ingredients are proprietary, where the inactive ingredients are sourced is not available.
Overall Effectiveness
As mentioned, OraVet is the only dental treat available that contains the active ingredient delmopinol HCL. In their clinical studies, the dental chew has been shown to reduce plaque and tartar by almost half. What’s more, it is also effective at creating a film over your pet’s teeth and gums to protect it from future bacterial growth.
OraVet Dental Treats are also effective at freshening your dog’s breath and whitening their teeth. This snack isn’t recommended for pets with sensitive stomachs. Not only does the formula contain gluten, but some of the other ingredients can be hard to digest. Although this is true of most dental chews, the treat will not be effective if your dog eats it too quickly. For the coating to take effect, your dog needs to be able to chew it for at least 5 minutes.
That being said, OraVet is a hard treat that most dogs will have an easy time chewing. It has a vanilla and mint-ish flavor that is appealing to most canines. Something else to note: these treats are more expensive than Greenies; however, they are proven to be more effective. Also, keep in mind that OraVet makes a dental gel that can be swabbed over your pet’s teeth and gums to also protect them from plaque and tartar build-up.
The 3 Most Popular Greenies Dental Treat Recipes
1. Greenies Grain-Free Natural Dental Dog Treats
- Contains one (1) 36 oz. 36-count pack of GREENIES Grain Free Regular Size Natural Dental Dog Treats;...
- The unique texture of GREENIES Dog Chews cleans down to the gumline to fight plaque and tartar and...
Greenies grain-free dental dog treats provide all of the tartar and plaque fighting action without the added grain. This makes the streets more digestible and easier on your pet’s stomach. Within the all-natural formula, these dental chews remove plaque and tartar, whiten teeth, and fresh and breast.
The grain-free Greenies also provide additional vitamins and minerals for your pet. That being said, they can be hard to break down, plus they can cause a choking hazard. What’s more, they only come in their regular size so smaller dogs are not recommended.
- All-natural
- Grain-free
- Effective Dental tree
- Freshens breath
- Added vitamins and minerals
- They are hard to break down
- Not recommended for small dogs
2. Greenies Blueberry Natural Dental Dog Treats
- Contains one (1) 12-oz., 12-count pack of GREENIES Blueberry Flavor Regular Size Natural Dog Dental...
- The unique texture of GREENIES Dog Chews cleans down to the gumline to fight plaque and tartar and...
The unique texture and ridges on the Greenies treats will clean your dog’s teeth and down to the gum line. Not only does it freshen their breath, but it also removes tartar and plaque build-up. Now available in a blueberry flavor, this is a great alternative for dogs who are not a fan of their original mint-ish variety.
Greenies blueberry is an all-natural formula with added vitamins and minerals to support their overall well-being. Keep in mind, however, that blueberry is not always a dog’s favorite flavor. Also, you should note that the best option is not as effective at freshening your dog’s breath as the original on the other hand, they do come in a variety of sizes.
- All-natural
- Effective dental chew
- Variety of sizes
- Additional vitamins and minerals
- Blueberry is not always a favorite flavor
- Not as effective at freshening breath
3. Greenies Breath Buster Bites
- DISCONTINUED BY MANUFACTURER, Recommended Replacement Item:Greenies Dental Dog Treats, Teenie Size,...
Greenies Breath Buster bites are a small treat that can be given several times during the day. Unlike their brush shaped counterparts, this is a smaller item that is meant to freshen their breath when needed. Although they can also have other dental benefits, it is not their primary focus.
The Breath Buster bites are in all-natural formulas, and they are less than 15 calories per treat. They are also easy to digest and grain-free. Keep in mind, however, due to their small size, they are not recommended for larger dogs as they can cause a choking hazard.
- Natural formula
- 15 calories each
- Fights bad breath
- Grain-free
- Easy to digest
- Not recommended for large dogs
- Not as effective at cleaning teeth
- OraVet Dog Food Recipes
The Most Popular OraVet Dental Treat Recipe
1. OraVet Protective Gel Treatment
- Quick and easy to apply - no special technique required
- Gel is odorless, tasteless and invisible once applied
As mentioned, OraVet offers a limited number of products at this time. Besides their dental chews, they offer a protective gel, as well. As we have gone more in-depth with the treats, we wanted to give you a bit more information on the gel.
The OraVet Protective Gel Treatment is an odorless and tasteless liquid that can be applied to your pet’s teeth and gums with a cotton swab. It will add a protective coating to prevent the build-up of bacteria causing plaque and tartar. As these issues will be reduced, it can also help with bad breath.
This is a great option for dogs that have a tough time with chewy treats, or they do not like the flavor of the snack. One thing to note is that this product also has a proprietary formula, so the overall ingredients are not as clear. It has been noted, however, that the gel can cause some stomach discomfort when first used. Also, it is not effective at whitening your pets’ teeth.
- Protective gel
- Good for dogs with sensitive teeth
- Tasteless
- Odorless
- Helps fight bad breath
- Can cause stomach upset
- Not effective at brightening teeth
Greenies vs. OraVet Comparison
Both Greenies and OraVet are treats designed to protect your dog’s teeth from tartar and plaque build-up that can be detrimental to their oral health. Each product is popular in this category and has different pros and cons.
Effectiveness
The Greenies Dental Chew is effective at cleaning your dog’s teeth. The ridges and texture will scrape plaque and tartar while your pet is enjoying a nibble. Not only that, but they also help whiten their smile and freshen their breath. This treat is recognized by the Veterinarian Oral Health Council and given their seal of approval.
On the other hand, OraVet is a similar dental treat in the idea that it is designed to be chewed to keep your pet’s mouth clean. The major difference is that OraVet uses the active ingredient delmopinol that has been clinically tested and proven to remove plaque and tartar, plus it creates a protective coating, as well.
OraVet is also effective at freshening your dog’s breath and whitening their smile. They have been given the VOHC seal of approval, plus they have a variety of sizes based on your dog’s weight. Greenies also have different sizes depending on the breed of your pet. Not only that, but they also provide you with several different flavors and treats depending on your needs which OraVet does not.
Ingredients
Greenies have an all-natural formula that supplies your pet with added vitamins and minerals to promote their overall health. That being said, most of their products contain wheat and other questionable ingredients.
OraVet, on the other hand, is not an all-natural formula, plus their treats contain gluten. The major difference here is that OraVet has an active ingredient that has been clinically tested. What’s more, their formula is proprietary, so the overall structure of the ingredient list is not available.
As far as nutritional value, both Greenies and OraVet have their pros and cons. Greenies have a great amount of protein while OraVet has a good amount of fiber. Both have decent calorie counts, as well.
Manufacturing and Background
Like the ingredients, both Greenies and OraVet are manufactured and produced in the United States. Greenies sources their ingredients from around the world while OraVet is not as clear on this point. It is also important to note that Greenies has been on the market since 1996 and has changed hands once during their tenure. OraVet is a fairly new company that was released in the United States in 2015.
Other Concerns
No product is absolutely perfect, and both Greenies and OraVet have their positives and negatives. Although we have already gone over many of the drawbacks of both formulas, there are a few other things to mention. For example, OraVet is a more expensive option, but again they are a clinically proven and tested oral hygiene treat.
Greenies have a wider variety of products, flavor, and formulas to fit a wide range of dogs. We also want to note that both Greenies and OraVet are available at online sites such as Chewy and Amazon, plus they are available in pet stores and big-box stores such as Walmart. Each brand also has a site with great customer service support if needed.
Overall, both of these brands will add benefits to your pet’s dental hygiene.
OraVet vs Greenies: Which Should You Choose?
In conclusion, we have found OraVet to be the better of the two. We base this opinion on the fact that only one brand has an active ingredient that has been clinically proven to be effective at not only reducing bacteria in your dog teeth but also preventing future build-up.
On the other hand, Greenies also has its good points and uses such as their Breath Buster Bites and Pill Pockets. We understand how difficult it can be to decide between two different dental chews, so we hope that this article has shed some light on the situation.
