Essential Pet Dental Products That Don’t Require Brushing

From the collar to the kibble, you’ve purchased all of the necessary accoutrements associated with bringing a new pet into your home. Or have you? In those initial starry-eyed moments, chances are you weren’t considering their dental hygiene or how to implement routine cleaning into your pet’s schedule. But perhaps you should have. Like humans, cats and dogs benefit from proactive oral care. Sure, the specter of getting our canine and feline friends to cooperate while we brush their teeth is daunting, but fear not! The market is brimming with effective alternatives to brushing. Continue reading to discover seven dandy dental hygiene products, endorsed by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC), that provide proven dental benefits without the need to brush.

Dental Health: Cats and Dogs

Oral care for dogs and cats is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Though the goal is the same — keeping tartar and plaque at bay — their mouth biomes are significantly different, requiring different treatments for maximum effectiveness. Dogs are prone to broken teeth from gnawing on bones, while cats are susceptible to tooth resorption, a condition that affects approximately 40% of all adult cats. The disorder is characterized as painful and results in the cat’s tooth being absorbed into its body. Note that while the products highlighted in our list are cat- or dog-specific, all of the products mentioned have options for both species.

Hill’s® Science Diet® Adult Oral Care Dog Food

One of the easiest routines to implement is feeding your pet food that has been proven to reduce tartar and plaque. According to Hill’s website, their specialty food works through interlocking fiber technology to clean teeth and freshen breath with every bite. The kibble’s texture mimics a toothbrush as your pet chews. Hill’s Science Diet Oral Care, approved by the VOHC since 2018, is not recommended for pregnant or nursing dogs or puppies. Check out Hill’s Science Diet Oral Care for dogs, available in three sizes: 4 pounds ($41.99), 15 pounds (85.99), and 28.5 pounds ($119.99), as well as their specialized cat foods.

C.E.T.^® IntelliDent™ Cat Bites

You have to be pretty crafty to put anything over on a cat. Virbac, however, has crafted a chicken-flavored dental treat that supports healthy teeth and gums that cats love. Three C.E.T.^® IntelliDent™ Cat Bites per day offer three-in-one dental support with Virbac’s Protecta Trifecta: gum support, clean teeth, and fresh breath. These low-calorie (< 8 calories/serving), low-fat (0.8 g/serving), all-natural bites have been proven to prevent plaque and calculus accumulation when used correctly. One size accommodates all cat breeds, regardless of size, making it easy for multi-cat households. Earning the VOHC seal of approval in 2020, Virbac has a variety of supplements for your cats, including C.E.T.^® IntelliDent™ Cat Bites ($11.49/ 50 bites) and dogs.

Healthy Mouth Water Additive

My little guy, Scooter, recently had to have a tooth extracted. He’s bounced back, but my finances are still feeling the pain. (Trust me, avoid dental surgery at all costs. And when I say all costs, I mean canine dental work makes human dental work seem downright reasonable.) Researching available oral care options, I came across Healthy Mouth water additive. Once mixed with water, which it turns apple green, Healthy Mouth remains effective for up to two weeks, and the product maintains its efficacy for two years after opening. The literature suggests that most pets enjoy the enhanced flavor Healthy Mouth provides. If your pet doesn’t, no worries. Healthy Mouth comes with a money-back guarantee. They do suggest introducing it slowly, diluting it less and less until you reach the suggested ratio, which is one tablespoon + one teaspoon per gallon of water.

When I ordered, I discovered that Healthy Mouth is rebuilding after their business, located in Malibu, California, was destroyed in the Palisades Fire last January. But they haven’t given up! Currently classified as backordered, ordering any of Healthy Mouth’s oral care products puts them one step closer to getting back on their feet. See all of Healthy Mouth‘s oral care pet products, including their Healthy Mouth water additive (VOHC approved since 2011) for dogs, cats, and horses. Healthy Mouth is available in three sizes: 8 oz ($70.17), 16 oz ($87.33), and 36 oz ($174.69).

Feline Greenies Oven Roasted Chicken Flavored Dental Treats

Greenies feline dental treats are fortified with vitamins and minerals for a nutritionally complete treat for adult cats. Their crunchy texture helps reduce plaque. Their chicken flavor is, according to the website, irresistible. I guess so. According to the five-star customer reviews, the flavor of Feline Greenies Oven Roasted Chicken Flavored Dental Treats (9.75 oz/$10.98) is tantalizing to dogs as well. While I don’t suppose the feline product is harmful to dogs, Greenies does make oral care specifically for our canine companions.

Tartar Shield® Soft Rawhide Chews for Small Dogs

Step aside chicken flavor, Tartar Shield’s bacon flavor rawhide chews for small dogs protect your pup from plaque, tartar, and gingivitis. They also reduce odor-causing bacteria, resulting in fresher breath. One Tartar Shield rawhide chew per day has been clinically proven to reduce plaque by up to 50%. VOHC-approved since 2007, Tartar Shield Soft Rawhide Chews for Small Dogs ($28.99/30 count) are guaranteed to result in healthier gums, fresher breath for dogs and cats.

Vetradent™ Powder Water Additive

Vetradent Powder Water Additive for Dogs & Cats reduces tartar by altering their mouth biomes. According to Vetradent, their product binds to the sources of harmful bacteria in your pet’s mouth, washing them out of the mouth. Odorless, colorless, and tasteless, this water additive is a good fit for households with both cats and dogs. Approved by VOHC in 2023, Vetradent Powder Water Additive for Dogs & Cats ($37.34/10.6 oz) has proven to reduce tartar by 25%.

ProDen PlaqueOff® Powder for Cats

Awarded the VOHC Seal of Acceptance in 2019, ProDen PlaqueOff® Powder for Cats is made from sustainably harvested Scandinavian kelp and feline-appropriate brewer’s yeast. One scoop sprinkled on your cat’s feed daily is all it takes. The powder comes with an appropriately sized scoop, alleviating guesswork. Clinical trials have determined that this product does reduce plaque and tartar. Besides their powder for cats, ($17.99/ 40g), check out the products Sweden Care has for dogs.