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8 Best Dental Cat Treats

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Bartley Harrison, DVM
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Best Dental Cat Treats

Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com

Did you know that periodontal disease doesn’t only impact your cat’s teeth and gums? As the disease progresses, bacteria and toxins spread from the mouth into the bloodstream and then into the organs, contributing to organ failure and other serious dental health issues.

This is why staying on top of your cat’s dental hygiene is so important! It’s one of the best things you can do for their overall health.

Dental treats are a simple, proven solution that can be combined with brushing your cat’s teeth to combat plaque and tartar development. However, not every dental treat is equally effective. Here are our top eight picks, tested and reviewed.

At a Glance: 8 Best Dental Cat Treats To Buy

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In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.

Overall Best
10.0
Picked by 31 people today!

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Crunchy Bites Dental Cat Treats

  • Large, porous treats surround and clean teeth as cats chew
  • Cats enjoy the taste
  • Veterinary Oral Health Council accepted and proven to fight plaque and tartar
$6.99 At Chewy $6.99 At Amazon
Best Budget
9.8
Picked by 31 people today!

Greenies Feline Oven Roasted Chicken Flavor Adult Natural Dental Cat Treats

  • Unique shape cleans down to the gumline
  • Comes in four delicious flavors which include catnip, oven roasted chicken, savory salmon, and tempting tuna
  • Veterinary Oral Health Council accepted and proven to fight tartar
Best Flavor
9.7
Picked by 25 people today!

Purina DentaLife Tasty Chicken Flavor Dental Cat Treats

  • Large, porous treats surround and clean teeth as cats chew
  • Comes in salmon and chicken flavors
  • Veterinary Oral Health Council accepted and proven to fight tartar
Popular with Pet Parents
9.6
Picked by 21 people today!

WHIMZEES by Wellness Natural Chicken & Tuna Dental Cat Treats

  • Crunchy, porous treats scrape teeth clean as cats chew
  • Comes in chicken, chicken and salmon, and chicken and tuna flavors
  • Follows AAFCO guidance for a complete and balanced diet
Best Chewy Dental Treat
9.5
Picked by 18 people today!

VetriScience Perio Plus Everyday Health Feline Bites Dental Cat Treats

  • Includes pumice to gently clean teeth and natural zeolite to freshen your cat’s breath
  • Added probiotics and nutrients help support full-body health
  • Chewy texture for cats who dislike crunchy treats
Best Natural
9.4
Picked by 18 people today!

WholeHearted Smart Smiles Cat Dental Treats

  • Contains sodium hexametaphosphate to fight tartar and mint flavor to freshen breath
  • Comes in chicken and catnip flavors
  • Grain-free with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Best Dental Powder
9.3
Picked by 18 people today!

ProDen PlaqueOff Powder Dog & Cat Supplement

  • Powder can be sprinkled onto wet or dry cat food
  • Comes with its own scoop for easy measuring
  • Veterinary Oral Health Council accepted and proven to fight plaque and tartar
Best Chew Sticks
9.2
Picked by 18 people today!

WoLover Silvervine Sticks for Cats

  • Long-lasting and effective
  • Abrasive surface scrapes teeth clean, reducing plaque and tartar
  • Silvervine encourages cats to have fun, reducing boredom and stress and contributing to their overall wellbeing

How Do Cat Dental Treats Work?

Scientists estimate that over 85% of cats over the age of six suffer from dental disease. This is a huge number, and it highlights how essential it is to care for our cats’ teeth.

Brushing your cat’s teeth daily is, hands-down, the best way to do this. Unfortunately, nothing works as well as manually scrubbing those chompers clean!

It’s also important to schedule routine dental cleanings with your veterinarian if possible. This gives your cat’s mouth a deeper clean than you can get at home, just like human dental cleanings. It also gives your veterinarian a chance to catch dental issues early, before they turn into a larger problem.

However, dental treats can be a good addition to your cat’s dental care routine. If you can’t brush your cat’s teeth, or are still working on training them to accept the process, dental treats and other proven solutions are better than nothing!

The tricky thing about dental treats for cats is that they don’t tend to chew their food. While it was formerly believed that kibble helped to clean cats’ teeth, this has largely been disproven, and we now know that it has minimal benefit unless the food has been formulated specifically for that purpose. We also know that foods that are higher in carbohydrates, calcium, and phosphorus can lead to an increase in tartar buildup.

The ideal dental treats are large enough to force your cat to chew. They’re low in carbohydrates and often include ingredients proven to fight plaque and tartar buildup.

Why Trust Cats.com

Since our own testing period was short and focused on palatability, we chose products based on thorough research into what makes a good cat dental treat. This included choosing veterinarian-trusted brands, treats accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council, and formulas that include science-backed ingredients for cleaner teeth and fresher breath.

While testing each treat on our list, I took notes on how eagerly my cats ate them and how much they chewed each treat. I also looked into whether there were different flavors for picky cats and what other reviewers’ cats thought of the treats.

Top 8 Cat Dental Treats

The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets crunchy bites are our favorite dental treats for cats because they clean teeth effectively. They’re backed by science and on the VOHC list of accepted cat dental products.

However, every cat has different tastes and preferences. That’s why we’ve provided more options on today’s list, including the most affordable dental treats, the tastiest according to my five kitty taste testers, and even a couple of alternatives such as dental powder and dental chews.

#1 Overall Best: Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Crunchy Bites Dental Cat Treats

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Crunchy Bites Dental Cat Treats

Purina Pro Plan’s veterinary diets and supplements are veterinarian-approved because they’re backed by research. These dental treats are also one of the few accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council, and are proven to effectively combat both plaque and tartar.

Their large size encourages chewing, and their crunchy, porous surface surrounds your cat’s teeth, scraping them clean as they chew.

Knowing that the treats work is only half of the battle, though. My next step was to test them with my five senior cats.

They can be picky when it comes to dental treats, but all of them ate these quickly and asked for more! They were also happy to do tricks for them, which hasn’t been true for every treat on this list.

The treats came in a resealable bag, and the portion size is 17 treats per day for cats who weigh 5 pounds or more. Each treat contains less than 2 calories.

Ingredients

Ground Yellow Corn, Chicken Meal, Corn Protein Meal, Animal Digest, Beef Fat Preserved With Mixed-Tocopherols, Powdered Cellulose, Fish Meal, Natural Liver Flavor, Glycerin, Calcium Carbonate, Natural Flavor, Dried Yeast, Vitamin E Supplement, Tricalcium Phosphate. B250123

Guaranteed Analysis

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Crude Protein: 32%
Crude Fat: 10%
Crude Fiber: 7%
Moisture: 11%

Dry Matter Basis

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Protein: 35.96%
Fat: 11.24%
Fiber: 7.87%
Carbs: 44.94%

Caloric Weight Basis

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Protein: 33.23%
Fat: 25.22%
Carbs: 41.54%

What We Liked:

  • Large, porous treats surround and clean teeth as cats chew
  • Veterinary Oral Health Council accepted and proven to combat plaque and tartar build-up
  • Each of my cats approved of the flavor, and were willing to perform tricks to get more treats

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Treats only come in one flavor, so there aren’t other options for cats who dislike the taste or can’t eat certain ingredients
  • Not for cats under 5 pounds

#2 Best Budget: Greenies Feline Oven Roasted Chicken Flavor Adult Natural Dental Cat Treats

Greenies Feline Oven Roasted Chicken Flavor Adult Natural Dental Cat Treats

Greenies are one of the most popular treat brands when it comes to pet dental care, and for good reason. They’re VOHC-accepted and scientifically proven to reduce tartar by 38% when fed regularly for 28 days or more.

These treats are large and unevenly-shaped, which forces cats to chew. Their crunchy texture scrapes away tartar, and the unique shape gets down to the gumline to ensure that the entire tooth is cleaned.

My cats all loved the flavor and texture of these, scarfing them down immediately and stalking me around the house for more!

The recommended serving size is 8 treats, twice a day for a 10-pound cat. Each treat contains 1.4 calories.

Ingredients

Chicken Meal, Ground Wheat, Brewers Rice, Corn Protein Meal, Poultry Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Oat Fiber, Natural Flavors, Ground Flaxseed, Brewers Dried Yeast, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Choline Chloride, Citric Acid (Preservative), Fruit Juice Color, Dl-Methionine, Taurine, Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Turmeric Color, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Manganese Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract.

Guaranteed Analysis

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Crude Protein: 27%
Crude Fat: 12%
Crude Fiber: 8%
Moisture: 10%

Dry Matter Basis

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Protein: 30%
Fat: 13.33%
Fiber: 8.89%
Carbs: 47.78%

Caloric Weight Basis

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Protein: 27.23%
Fat: 29.39%
Carbs: 43.37%

What We Liked:

  • Large, crunchy treats clean cats teeth as cats chew
  • Unique shape cleans down to the gumline
  • Veterinary Oral Health Council accepted and proven to combat tartar build-up
  • Contains added vitamins and supplements to support your cat’s entire body, not just their teeth
  • Comes in four delicious flavors – my cats loved the oven roasted chicken variety!

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Not for cats under 1 year old

#3 Best Flavor: Purina DentaLife Tasty Chicken Flavor Dental Cat Treats

Purina DentaLife Tasty Chicken Flavor Dental Cat Treats

As the last VOHC-accepted dental treat on our list, Purina Dentalife treats are proven to combat tartar build-up. They have a crunchy, porous texture that cleans teeth, with large treats that force cats to chew.

The treats also contain added calcium and taurine to promote healthy bones as well as heart, eye, and digestive health. The recommended serving size for these is 17 treats for cats who weigh more than five pounds. Each treat contains 1.5 calories.

My cats were just as enthusiastic about these as the Purina Pro Plan treats, likely because they have a very similar texture. Unlike the Pro Plan formula, there are two flavors two choose from: tasty chicken and savory salmon.

Ingredients

Ground Yellow Corn, Chicken Meal, Natural Flavor, Corn Gluten Meal, Animal Fat Preserved With Mixed-tocopherols, Powdered Cellulose, Glycerin, Dried Yeast, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Vitamin E Supplement, Taurine, Tricalcium Phosphate, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product. B555120

Guaranteed Analysis

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Crude Protein: 32%
Crude Fat: 10%
Crude Fiber: 7%
Moisture: 11%
Calcium: 1%
Taurine: 0.15%

Dry Matter Basis

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Protein: 35.96%
Fat: 11.24%
Fiber: 7.87%
Carbs: 44.94%

Caloric Weight Basis

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Protein: 33.23%
Fat: 25.22%
Carbs: 41.54%

What We Liked:

  • Large, porous treats surround and clean teeth as cats chew
  • Veterinary Oral Health Council accepted and proven to combat tartar build-up
  • Comes in tasty salmon and chicken flavors, the former of which was loved by all of my cats!

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Not for cats under 5 pounds

#4 Popular with Pet Parents: WHIMZEES by Wellness Natural Chicken & Tuna Dental Cat Treats

WHIMZEES by Wellness Natural Chicken & Tuna Dental Cat Treats

WHIMZEES is a popular brand amongst cat parents but, unfortunately, I wasn’t super impressed by these dental treats. The first thing that I noticed was that they’re much smaller than most of the treats on our list. They’re also quite long, though, and my cats did chew them. They have a porous texture, which helps to get teeth clean.

These ones have one attribute I haven’t seen in other dental treats, which is that they follow AAFCO guidance for a complete and balanced diet. This means that you can replace a small portion of your cat’s regular diet with the treats and still maintain proper nutrition.

This may be helpful for cats prone to putting on weight. However, since dental treats contain so few calories and make up a small percentage of your cat’s daily food intake, it’s also not strictly necessary.

When it comes to palatability, every cat is different. Personally, I found that my cats were much more excited about some of the other treats on this list. A couple of them ate the WHIMZEES readily, while the others either hesitated or refused to eat them altogether.

The recommended serving size is 8 treats twice daily for a 10-pound cat. Each treat contains 1.5 calories.

Ingredients

Deboned Chicken, Whole Wheat, Chicken Meal, Barley, Chicken Fat, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Oat Fiber, Cranberries, Natural Flavor, Tuna, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness, Niacin, Zinc Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Sodium Selenite, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Copper Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Riboflavin, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract

Guaranteed Analysis

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Crude Protein: 29%
Crude Fat: 10%
Crude Fiber: 7%
Moisture: 10%
Calcium: 1.2%
Phosphorus: 0.8%
Taurine: 0.2%

Dry Matter Basis

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Protein: 32.22%
Fat: 11.11%
Fiber: 7.78%
Carbs: 48.89%

Caloric Weight Basis

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Protein: 29.81%
Fat: 24.96%
Carbs: 45.23%

What We Liked:

  • Pellet-shaped, porous treats help clean cats’ teeth as they chew
  • Comes in three flavors: chicken, chicken and salmon, and chicken and tuna
  • Follows AAFCO guidance for a complete and balanced diet

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Small compared to other dental treats on our list
  • Most of my cats preferred the flavor of other dental treats, and some of them refused the WHIMZEES treats altogether

#5 Best Chewy Dental Treat: VetriScience Perio Plus Everyday Health Feline Bites Dental Cat Treats

VetriScience Perio Plus Everyday Health Feline Bites Dental Cat Treats

These chewy treats from VetriScience are different from the others on our list, as they don’t rely on a crunchy texture to scrape cats’ teeth clean. Instead, they contain a combination of probiotics, herbs, and other ingredients that can help to improve your cat’s dental health. These ingredients include chlorophyll, zinc, and coenzyme Q-10, all of which are antibacterial or anti-inflammatory. Natural zeolite is added as a deodorizer and pumice gently cleans your cat’s teeth as they chew.

The large size forces quite a bit of chewing, though it also deters some cats from eating them. Multiple reviewers noted that their cats tried to eat the treats and gave up.

While trying them myself, the first thing I noticed about these treats was their sweet smell. It made me want to eat them! However, my cats were much less enthused. Unlike humans and dogs, cats can’t taste sweet flavors, so they’re just not as enticing to them as they are to us.

Two of my cats ate the treats slowly, while the other three refused to eat them at all. According to other reviewers, this is a pretty common experience.

If your cat will eat these ones, the recommended serving size is 2 treats daily for cats up to 10 pounds, and 4 treats a day for cats over 10 pounds. Each treat contains about 1.4 calories.

Ingredients

Anise Oil, Apple Pectin, Brewers Yeast, Canola Oil, Chicken Liver Flavor, Citric Acid, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Fermentum Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Fenugreek Seed Extract, Glucose Monohydrate, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Mixed Tocopherols, Oat Flour, Propionic Acid, Proprietary Blend (Maltodextrin, Sodium Alginate and Calcium Sulfate), Pumice, Rosemary Extract, Silicon Dioxide, Sodium Sulfate, Sorbic Acid, Soy Lecithin, Vegetable Fat, Vegetable Oil, Water, Whey, Yeast Fermentation Solubles

Guaranteed Analysis

Not Listed

What We Liked:

  • Includes a variety of ingredients to improve dental health, including pumice to gently clean teeth and natural zeolite to freshen breath
  • Includes probiotics and nutrients that support your cat’s overall health
  • Chewy texture is good for cats who dislike crunchy treats
  • Large size forces cats to chew

What We Didn’t Like:

  • May be too large for some cats to eat comfortably
  • Many cats dislike the flavor

#6 Best Natural: WholeHearted Smart Smiles Cat Dental Treats

WholeHearted Smart Smiles Cat Dental Treats

WholeHearted Smart Smiles are made with natural ingredients and contain no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. The treats are grain-free, which is great for cats who are allergic to corn, wheat, or soy. However, both flavors contain chicken, which is one of the most common food allergies in cats.

The treats are quite small, which makes cats less likely to chew them. My cats did chew a little, but not for very long.

However, the treats don’t only rely on the abrasion that happens when cats chew. Each treat contains sodium hexametaphosphate, which helps to stop tartar from hardening on your cat’s teeth. They also contain mint flavor to freshen breath.

My cats were split on the palatability of these treats. Three of them gobbled them right up and begged for more, while the others didn’t seem interested at all. There are two flavors, so cats who dislike the chicken variety may be more willing to eat the catnip flavor.

When it comes to serving size, WholeHearted recommends feeding up to 5 treats a day per 5 pounds of body weight, with an upper limit of 25 treats for cats weighing over 20 pounds. Each treat contains 2 calories.

Ingredients

Chicken Meal, Tapioca Starch, Rice Flour, Pea Starch, Chicken Fat, Glycerin, Natural Flavors, Pea Protein, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate (For Color), Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Catnip, Sunflower Lecithin, Natural Mint Flavor, Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols

Guaranteed Analysis

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Crude Protein: 21%
Crude Fat: 7%
Crude Fiber: 2%
Moisture: 11%

Dry Matter Basis

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Protein: 23.6%
Fat: 7.87%
Fiber: 2.25%
Carbs: 66.29%

Caloric Weight Basis

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Protein: 21.65%
Fat: 17.53%
Carbs: 60.82%

What We Liked:

  • Contains sodium hexametaphosphate to stop tartar from hardening on your cat’s teeth and mint flavor to freshen breath
  • Comes in two tasty flavors: chicken and catnip
  • Grain-free with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives

What We Didn’t Like:

  • The treats are small, so some cats might not chew them

#7 Best Dental Powder: ProDen PlaqueOff Powder Dog & Cat Supplement

ProDen PlaqueOff Powder Dog & Cat Supplement

The ProDen PlaqueOff supplement isn’t a treat, but it is scientifically proven to fight both plaque and tartar. It’s also accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council.

If you’re looking into teeth-cleaning alternatives, this is one of the best and most cost-effective. ProDen estimates that one bottle will last one year in a single-cat household (so long as your cat weighs under 22 pounds).

If you’re worried about dyes and additives in your cat’s food, you’ll be happy to see that these treats contain just one ingredient: 100% North Atlantic seaweed, which softens plaque and tartar to help prevent buildup.

The powder comes with its own scoop and is very easy to feed. Simply mix it into your cat’s food and give them their meals as normal.

I haven’t had a problem with cats refusing to eat the powder so long as it’s mixed thoroughly into their wet food. When I didn’t mix it well enough, I noticed some of my cats eating around it or refusing to eat, but when it’s mixed well they don’t seem to notice it’s there.

Ingredients

100% North Atlantic seaweed

Guaranteed Analysis

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Crude Protein: 16.5%
Crude Fat: 5%

Dry Matter Basis

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Protein: 16.5%
Fat: 5%
Carbs: 78.5%

Caloric Weight Basis

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Protein: 15.4%
Fat: 11.33%
Carbs: 73.27%

What We Liked:

  • Powder can be sprinkled onto wet or dry cat food
  • Comes with its own scoop for easy measuring
  • Veterinary Oral Health Council accepted and proven to combat plaque and tartar build-up
  • Made from 100% sustainably sourced North Atlantic seaweed

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Works best with wet food, since cats may not eat the powder if they can see it

#8 Best Chew Sticks: WoLover Silvervine Sticks for Cats

WoLover Silvervine Sticks for Cats

Lastly, we have another pick that’s not technically a dental treat, but a chew stick! Chewing abrasive textures helps to naturally scrape a cat’s teeth clean.

The typical problem with this method is that cats chew a lot less than dogs. However, the silvervine in these sticks provides incentive. Silvervine triggers a sense of euphoria in cats, similar to catnip. Its effects tend to be a bit stronger and longer-acting, lasting anywhere from 5-30 minutes.

My cats loved gnawing on the WoLover silvervine sticks, chewing on them enough to remove the bark! Because the sticks can splinter and break, you should only give them to your cat while supervised. Clean up loose bark or other broken-off pieces immediately, and take the sticks away if the wood begins to splinter.

I wouldn’t recommend these as the only way to clean your cat’s teeth, but they’re a fun addition to their dental health routine. They also have the added benefit of reducing boredom and stress! I love giving them to my cats around playtime.

Ingredients

100% natural silvervine wood

Guaranteed Analysis

Not Listed

What We Liked:

  • Long-lasting and effective
  • Silvervine encourages cats to chew
  • Abrasive surface scrapes teeth clean, reducing plaque and tartar
  • Reduces boredom and stress

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Some cats aren’t attracted to silvervine, or may roll on sticks instead of chewing

How to Choose the Best Dental Treats for Your Cat?

Here are a few things to consider before buying cat dental treats:

Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Acceptance

When I’m purchasing dental hygiene products for my cats, the first thing I check is the VOHC list of accepted products. It contains dental diets, toothpastes, treats, and more.

Their list of accepted cat products is pretty small, and a product can be effective without being on the list. Products on the list have simply been tested for efficacy, so we know that they work to combat plaque, tartar, or both.

Dental Treats vs. Other Cat Dental Products

Of course, you’ll also want to consider whether treats are the right way to keep your cat’s teeth clean. As we discussed above, treats are best used alongside brushing your cat’s teeth and not as an alternative.

Other products that can be used in addition to brushing the teeth include:

  • Dental powders
  • Oral gels and sprays
  • Dental wipes
  • Water additives
  • Safe chews for cats such as silvervine sticks
  • Dental diets

Each of these comes with their own benefits and drawbacks. My veterinarian recommends dental sprays as the second-best alternative to toothbrushing, but some cats may be scared of the spray, especially if they’ve had a spray bottle used on them in the past.

Dental powders and water additives are also great choices, but it’s important to make sure they don’t interfere with your cat’s willingness to eat or drink. Since proper hydration is so important for cats, I choose not to mess with my own cats’ water in this way.

Lastly, there are several dental diets on the market from reputable brands including Hill’s, Purina Pro Plan, and Royal Canin. These require a prescription from a veterinarian, however, and are much more costly than your average cat food.

What About Homemade Dental Treats?

Homemade dental treats usually consist of bones for your cat to chew on. While this will help to break up tartar and clean your cat’s teeth, it comes with some significant risks.

You may already know that cooked bones have a much higher chance of splintering, which makes them unsafe for cats. If eaten, these splinters may damage your cat’s digestive tract.

Bones in general may crack or chip your cat’s teeth, and pieces of bone, if swallowed, pose a choking hazard. They may also get stuck in your cat’s digestive system, causing blockages that may require surgery to remove.

Raw bones can contain harmful bacteria, which may cause illness in your cat, other pets, and human family members. Even if you’re careful about cleaning up your food preparation area, this bacteria may spread to any surface the bone touches and anything your cat licks after eating.

Overall, while feeding your cat bones may seem like a natural, healthy way to clean their teeth, it’s better to brush your cat’s teeth or offer dental treats made with fully-cooked meat ingredients. If you’d like to give your cat something to chew on, consider silvervine sticks like the WoLover silvervine sticks reviewed above.

Relevant Content:

*Veterinary review of this article includes only the medical information in this article. The veterinarian reviewing this article does not personally endorse, recommend, or vouch for the efficacy or claims of any product mentioned in this article.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do dental treats for cats work?

It depends on the ingredients and the mechanism they use to remove plaque. Crunchy dental treats offer limited benefits in terms of scraping away plaque but some dental cat treats contain enzymes that help counter oral bacteria or contain breath-freshening ingredients.

How can I improve my cat’s dental health?

The best way to improve your cat’s dental health is to implement a similar oral hygiene regimen similar to your own. Ideally, you should be brushing your cat’s teeth daily and having his teeth checked by a veterinarian at least once a year.

How can I clean my cat’s teeth naturally?

Dental cat treats made with natural ingredients may help with surface plaque and bacteria, but the best thing you can do is brush your cat’s teeth. Giving your cat raw bones to chew on may help as well.

Note: The values in our nutrient charts are automatically calculated based on the guaranteed analysis and may not represent typical nutrient values. This may lead to discrepancies between the charts and the values mentioned in the body of the review.
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About Katelynn Sobus

Katelynn is a pet focused journalist who has written a variety of pet articles, including breed portfolios and care guides. She uses her experience as a lifelong pet owner to write expert content about cats, dogs, and small pets.

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18 thoughts on “8 Best Dental Cat Treats

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  1. Kate

    Have you tested / reviewed Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Purina Dental Bites Cat Treats? Would love to hear how they stack up with the Purina treats on your list.

    Reply
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  2. Lorena Merighi

    I would love to use the ProDen Powder but, on their website, it says it’s not suggested for cats with Hyperthyroidism; since our cat is in the “grey zone” I decided to not get them. I always use the Purina Dentalife; would you suggest that Vetriscience has a better result?

    Reply
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    1. kate Kate Barrington

      Hi Lorena! While some cat owners report good results with Vetriscience dental treats, Dentalife has been scientifically tested and is approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council to help control tartar.

      Click to rate
  3. Sharon

    Thanks for the article on cat dental treats. However, everyone of these treats (even the fish flavored one) contain chicken or chicken by products. Many cats are allergic to chicken. I have looked high and low for a dental cat treat without chicken. PLEASE HELP!

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  4. CG

    Unless you want to find out how much cancer treatment costs for a cat, stay clear of all of these. Especially the greenies.
    Simple fact; wild cats are hyper-carnivores, meaning that the majority of their caloric intake is other animals. What makes your house cat any different? Bobcats don’t dig up roots and tubers. Leopards don’t climb trees looking for fruits. Tigers don’t eat leaves and grasses. Jaguars don’t hunt corn and rice.
    Give. Your. Cats and Dogs. MEAT! You can get all kinds of treats that are dehydrated pieces of a single ingredient. And it’s meat, or liver. Not by-product. Not meal.

    Reply
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    1. Taylor

      Not sure that plain dehydrated meat has been shown to improve dental health. I’ve heard good things about raw chicken necks. I tried them and my cat LOVED them, but I had to stop giving them to her because she would play with them and drag them all over the floor while eating and get bacteria all over the place. If anyone does try chicken necks, be sure NOT to cook them as the bones will become dried out and brittle and could kill your cat.

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  5. Fran Norton

    I ordered some of the Intellident cat treats from Entirely Pets on Nov. 17. Called customer service twice and left my number for a callback which never came. Finally got a hold of them before Christmas. I was told they were back ordered and wait for 2-3 weeks. On Jan. 15 I still have not received. Absolutely terrible customer service! Do not order from this website.

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  6. Susan Stein

    Virbac has reformulated and renamed it’s cat dental treats. They are now called Intellidents but I can’t find its anywhere.

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    1. Taylor

      I buy these Intellident chews on Amazon. They aren’t a super high value treat for her, but she likes them, and you only have to give cats three of these per day so you aren’t increasing their caloric/carbohydrate intake by too much. I don’t brush her teeth and I just came back from the vet who told me that her teeth are in perfect shape. She said to keep up whatever I’m doing, so I guess these chews work.

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  7. Lynx

    Hartz Dental treats have excellent ingredients in them and I was shocked to see they’re loaded with vitamins. Why they had to even mention Vegetable oil preserved with BHT&BHA is laughable unless it was a pure vegetable oil treat!

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