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Best Dental Dog Food

Updated August 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Dental Dog Food
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet
Dental Dog Food
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

Besides cleaning your dog's teeth, this food was also made to support joint health as well as a healthy digestive and immune system.

Pros

The texture and shape of the kibble promote chewing and scraping of plaque and tartar from teeth. Great for preventing gingivitis and halitosis. Fortified with vitamin E, vitamin C, lutein, and taurine. For dogs of all sizes.

Cons

As a prescription item, this food requires authorization from your vet.

Best Bang for the Buck
Wag Wholesome Grains Dry Dog Food
Wag
Wholesome Grains Dry Dog Food
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Budget-friendly Choice
Bottom Line

Pound for pound, this food is more affordable than most quality brands that are formulated for canine dental care.

Pros

Rich in calcium and phosphorus, which promote healthy teeth. Salmon is the first ingredient, and provides beneficial omega fatty acids. Made with brown rice that's packed with nutrients. No wheat, corn, or soy. Crunchy texture.

Cons

A few dog owners report shedding fur or digestive upset after feeding this food to their pets.

Hill's Science Diet Adult Oral Care
Hill's Science Diet
Adult Oral Care
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It Gets Results
Bottom Line

If your dog is swallowing their dental-health food whole, these huge chunks are guaranteed to force any canine to chew their way to clean teeth.

Pros

Especially large chunky pieces promote chewing behavior, allowing this food to dramatically reduce plaque and tartar buildup. Chicken is the first ingredient. A low-calorie food.

Cons

May be too large for the smallest breeds to handle.

Hill's Prescription Diet t/d Dental Care Small Bites
Hill's Prescription Diet
t/d Dental Care Small Bites
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Good for Small Dogs
Bottom Line

Solid dental-health dog food with tooth-scraping chunks that are just large enough to convince small breeds to chew them.

Pros

Puffy, chicken-flavored nuggets promote chewing to help eliminate plaque from your dog's teeth. Reduces bad breath. Added antioxidants for immune system health.

Cons

Prescription item. Brewer’s rice, corn, and chicken by-product are the first 3 ingredients.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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No one wants to see their best friend afflicted with bad breath, swollen gums, or large patches of brown tartar plastered on their teeth, and incorporating a dry food crafted with your dog’s dental health in mind will go a long way toward protecting that lovable smile. Dental dog foods are often offered in larger pieces with a noticeable texture that will brush away the plaque, tartar, and bacteria that causes rancid breath with each bite. Although many of these special formulas require a prescription, it’s worth visiting your vet before your dog experiences oral health issues.