Dental care for dogs and cats does not have to be complicated. A simple routine built around brushing, the right chews and, if you choose to add one, a natural supplement covers most of what an average pet owner needs to know. Here is a straightforward breakdown, using what our actual dental products say about themselves.
Brushing: the basics
Brushing is the most direct way to keep a dog or cat's teeth clean, the same way it works for us. A few practical basics:
- Use a toothbrush and toothpaste made for pets, never human toothpaste, which is not meant to be swallowed and often contains ingredients unsuitable for animals.
- Start slowly, especially with a cat or a dog that has not been brushed before. A short session focused on the front teeth is a reasonable starting point, building up gradually rather than attempting a full brush on day one.
- Consistency matters more than intensity. A few minutes done regularly beats an occasional thorough session.
- If your pet resists brushing altogether, or you notice bad breath, swelling, bleeding gums or visible tartar, that is worth a vet check rather than something to manage with chews alone.
Dental chews: a few different categories
Dental chews are a common addition to a brushing routine, not a replacement for it. Based on our current range, they generally fall into a few categories:
Shaped dental chews
Whimzees makes a range of shaped dental chews for dogs, sized by breed. Shapes in our range include the Hedgehog, Antlers, Stix and Toothbrush designs, each sold across a range of sizes from extra small through to extra large, plus puppy-specific bags sized for a young dog's smaller mouth. They are sold as a treat dogs can gnaw on during regular chew time, in value bags for everyday use or bulk boxes for households that go through them quickly.
Classic dental treats
Greenies is a long-running name in dental treats. Our range covers the Sweet Potato flavour for adult dogs, sized Teenie through to Large depending on your dog's size, plus a Puppy Original line sized for a growing pup's mouth. Greenies also makes cat treats in catnip and chicken flavours, sold as a crunchy everyday reward rather than a dedicated dental chew for cats.
Natural supplements
Simply Seaweed takes a different approach: it is a sprinkle-on supplement rather than a chew, made from 100% dried and crushed ascophyllum nodosum (a type of seaweed), added to your pet's regular food. According to the product listing, it is marketed to help keep teeth clean and reduce bad breath, working through natural anti-adhesive and antibacterial properties that help prevent bacteria sticking to tooth enamel. It suits owners who want an easy, no-brushing addition to their routine, particularly for a cat or dog that will not tolerate a toothbrush.
One practical note pulled directly from that product's own listing: it should not be given to pets with thyroid issues without veterinary supervision, since seaweed is naturally high in iodine. As with any new supplement, check with your vet first if your pet has an existing health condition.
Building a simple routine
You do not need every category at once. A sensible, low-effort routine most owners can stick to:
- If you can manage it: brush a few times a week, even if it is brief
- Most days: offer a shaped dental chew sized to your dog, as part of their normal treat rotation
- Optional add-on: a sprinkle-on supplement like Simply Seaweed if brushing is not realistic for your pet
- At least yearly: a vet check, since chews and supplements support a routine, they do not replace professional dental assessment
Sizing chews correctly
Whichever chew you choose, buy the size matched to your dog's breed and weight, not just whatever is on the shelf. An oversized chew can be difficult for a small dog to manage, and an undersized one may not last long enough to do much good or could be swallowed too quickly by a larger dog. Most of our dental chew listings state a clear size guide, worth checking before you buy, especially if you are ordering online rather than picking a bag up in person.
Where to browse
Our full range of dental chews and supplements lives in Dental & Health Care, alongside the wider Dog Treats & Chews range if you want to compare against other everyday treat options.