Greenies Regular Dental Dog Treats, Original Chicken Flavor, 36 Count

Why it's worth it

Greenies are the chew most vets name first, and the clinical data backs it up: less tartar and less plaque over four weeks of daily use. The chewy, tooth-shaped design reaches the gum line, and you can match the size to your dog's weight.

Greenies clear the bar that matters, and clear it with numbers. The VOHC accepted them, which means an independent veterinary body reviewed controlled trial data before signing off. The manufacturer's own filed data shows 47% less tartar and 40% less plaque after 28 days of daily use. That's not a packaging slogan. Most chews in this aisle can't point to anything comparable, and plenty don't even try.

The texture is the whole trick. A Greenies chew is firm enough that your dog has to work at it, and that work is what scrubs the teeth. Most dogs take about five minutes with a regular-size chew. The tooth-shaped profile lets the edges slide along the gum line and into the gaps between teeth, which is exactly where tartar shows up first. A soft treat your dog swallows in two bites does nothing here.

From our review of 11 dog dental chews, by James Bennett, Associate Editor

What we like

• +Greenies clear the bar that matters, and clear it with numbers
• +The texture is the whole trick
• +You can actually get the right size
• +It's the chew your vet has already heard of

What to know

• –The calories are real and they add up
• –Gulpers need watching
• –There's wheat in here