Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Paola Cuevas
Veterinarian, MVZ
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Paola Cuevas
Veterinarian, MVZ
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Brushing your cats’ teeth can be a difficult and timely process, which leads many cat owners to search for an easier and more convenient method of maintaining their cat’s dental hygiene. You might have come across dental cat treats, which offer your feline companion a crunchy snack that they enjoy while it benefits your cat’s dental hygiene. Most cats will willingly prefer a dental treat that they can eat over having their teeth brushed.
However, you must keep in mind that regularly brushing your cat’s teeth will still be necessary, while dental treats help to keep the teeth clean between brushes. A yearly check-up with a veterinary dentist is also advised for a professional dental clean.
There are many different types of dental treats you can offer your cat and each of these treats has properties that make them appealing for your cat’s dental needs. Check out our reviews of seven of the best dental treats for cats below.
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Greenies Feline Adult Dental Cat Treats
Added vitamins
Free from artificial flavors and preservatives
Help to reduce tartar build-up and freshen breath
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Best Value
DentaLife Savory Salmon Dental Cat Treats
Help remove tartar build-up
Contain added probiotics for digestive health
Affordable
Check Price
Premium Choice
Purina Pro Plan Crunchy Cat Treats
Made with high-quality protein
Veterinary-recommended
Helps to control plaque and tartar
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VetIQ Minties Dental Cat Treats
Ideal for both kittens and adult cats
Great for freshening your cat’s breath
High in protein
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VetriScience Perio Plus Teeth Cleaning Cat Treats
Supports gum health
Two-component layers for optimal dental hygiene
Ideal for picky cats
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The 6 Best Dental Treats For Cats
The best dental treats for cats overall are the Greenies dental cat treats, which are designed to help keep your cats’ teeth clean, reduce the build-up of tartar, and freshen your cat’s breath. These dental cat treats are made with natural ingredients that contain added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to make them a balanced snack for cats.
Flavor: Roast chicken
Protein: 27% min
Fat: 12% min
Fiber: 10% max
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They are free from harmful preservatives and artificial flavors and are low in calories, which makes them ideal for cats who are prone to obesity. The crunchiness of these dental cat treats is what makes them effective at keeping your cats’ teeth in good shape. The large size of these treats makes them ideal for large breeds of cats such as Maine Coons, but they can be fed to all breeds of cats.
Pros
Added vitamins
Free from artificial flavors and preservatives
Help to reduce tartar build-up and freshen breath
Cons
Large size
The best dental treats for cats for the money are the DentaLife cat treats. You get a 1.8-pound bag of treats for a lower price than most other dental cat treats in this category. These dental cat treats have a porous and crunchy texture which makes them beneficial for removing the tartar build-up on your cats’ teeth that can cause staining and bad breath.
Added vitamins
Free from artificial flavors and preservatives
Help to reduce tartar build-up and freshen breath
- Added vitamins
- Free from artificial flavors and preservatives
- Help to reduce tartar build-up and freshen breath
Large size
- Large size
Flavor: Salmon
Protein: 32% min
Fat: 10% min
Fiber: 7% max
They contain a formulation of natural ingredients with vitamins, minerals, and added calcium and taurine for teeth health. Another benefit of these dental treats for cats is that they contain probiotics that aid in your cat’s digestive system while having an enticing flavor that many cats love.
Pros
Help remove tartar build-up
Contain added probiotics for digestive health
Affordable
Cons
Hard texture not suitable for cats with sensitive teeth
Our premium choice is the Purina Pro Plan cat treats as they are full of wholesome ingredients and approved by veterinarians for dental health in cats. They are high in protein with real chicken being one of the main ingredients. They have been approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council to help control plaque and tartar on cat’s teeth while helping to keep your cats’ teeth clean and their breath fresh.
Help remove tartar build-up
Contain added probiotics for digestive health
Affordable
- Help remove tartar build-up
- Contain added probiotics for digestive health
- Affordable
Hard texture not suitable for cats with sensitive teeth
- Hard texture not suitable for cats with sensitive teeth
Flavor: Chicken
Protein: 32% min
Fat: 10% min
Fiber: 7% max
They are a low-calorie dental treat which makes them ideal for cats who are on a weight maintenance program and diet, so you do not have to worry about this dental treat contributing to your cat’s weight gain.
Pros
Made with high-quality protein
Veterinary-recommended
Helps to control plaque and tartar
Cons
Needs authorization from a veterinarian
- VetIQ Minties Dental Cat Treats
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Flavor: Salmon
Protein: 30% min
Fat: 12% min
Fiber: 5% max
These dental treats from VetIQ are made in the USA with top-quality ingredients to form a healthy dental treat for both kittens and adult cats. They are formulated to help remove and control tartar on your cats’ teeth while freshening their breath. They are high in protein and contain limited ingredients, plus are free from wheat, soy, corn, and artificial flavors which make them a good treat to feed to your cat aside from the dental properties they provide.
Made with high-quality protein
Veterinary-recommended
Helps to control plaque and tartar
- Made with high-quality protein
- Veterinary-recommended
- Helps to control plaque and tartar
Needs authorization from a veterinarian
- Needs authorization from a veterinarian
Check Latest Price
Flavor: Salmon
Protein: 30% min
Fat: 12% min
Fiber: 5% max
They do have a salmon shape and taste, but the menthol smell used to freshen your cat’s breath can be quite overpowering for some cats.
Pros
Ideal for both kittens and adult cats
Great for freshening your cat’s breath
High in protein
Cons
Strong menthol smell
This dental cat treats from VetriScience have been formulated to promote good dental hygiene in cats by encouraging strong gums, a fresher breath, and reducing buildup on your cats’ teeth. They offer a crunchy outer layer that works like a toothbrush to remove the buildup of plaque and tartar and a soft inner layer with ingredients to support your cat’s gum health and release ingredients that keep your cat’s breath fresh.
Ideal for both kittens and adult cats
Great for freshening your cat’s breath
High in protein
- Ideal for both kittens and adult cats
- Great for freshening your cat’s breath
- High in protein
Strong menthol smell
- Strong menthol smell
Flavor: Chicken
Protein: 27% min
Fat: Not Specified
Fiber: 1% max
They are slightly higher in calories than other dental treats we have reviewed but can be fed to cats that are within an average weight range. These dental treats feature many ingredients that have been clinically proven to aid in your cat’s dental health.
Pros
Supports gum health
Ideal for picky cats
Two-component layers for optimal dental hygiene
Cons
Some cats did not accept them
This allergen-friendly dental cat treats from Emerald Pet are ideal for cats who are prone to allergies from certain ingredients that may be found in other types of dental cat treats. The recipe features innovative ingredients that are used to fight plaque and tartar on your cats’ teeth while keeping their breath fresh.
Supports gum health
Ideal for picky cats
Two-component layers for optimal dental hygiene
- Supports gum health
- Ideal for picky cats
- Two-component layers for optimal dental hygiene
Some cats did not accept them
- Some cats did not accept them
Flavor: Chicken
Protein: 30% min
Fat: 11% min
Fiber: 5% max
They are grain, gluten, soy, and dairy-free, which makes them safe for cats who are suffering from an allergy to one of those ingredients. The fish-shaped treats are large enough to encourage your cat to chew them rather than swallow them whole, which makes them more effective at keeping your cats’ teeth clean.
Pros
A holistic approach to cat dental treats
Allergen-friendly
Naturally preserved
Cons
Hard texture may be difficult for some cats to chew
A holistic approach to cat dental treats
Allergen-friendly
Naturally preserved
- A holistic approach to cat dental treats
- Allergen-friendly
- Naturally preserved
Hard texture may be difficult for some cats to chew
- Hard texture may be difficult for some cats to chew
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Dental Treats For Cats
How do dental treats benefit your cat?
Dental treats for cats usually have a crunchy texture that works as a brush to remove plaque and tartar from a cat’s teeth, which works by your cat chewing the treat to the point that it rubs along their gums and teeth. Some dental cat treats will be formulated with ingredients used to freshen your cat’s breath and dissolve build-up from your cats’ teeth too. Some will contain a mixture of both, with a hard outer shell and a soft inside which offers your cat both of the benefits.
Cats can benefit from having dental treats in the following ways:
Controls plaque and tartar buildup: If plaque and tartar buildup on your cats’ teeth, it can cause dental issues such as bad breath, stained teeth, and bleeding gums.
Fights bad breath: If your cat is suffering from a bad odor from their breath, it is generally an indication that they need to have their teeth brushed. Bad breath can happen for many reasons, but it is most commonly caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in your cat’s mouth. Dental cat treats that contain menthol or chlorophyll will help freshen up your cat’s breath.
Promotes clean teeth and healthy gums: By the dental treats removing the buildup on your cats’ teeth, it in return keeps your cats’ teeth healthy. Dental cat treats can be fed to your cat regularly which makes them great for your cat’s teeth cleaning routine.
A Word of Caution
Dental treats are not like regular treats: they are extra hard and could represent a choking hazard. Dental treats should only be given under supervision. Please make sure your cat has access to clean water at all times, and especially when receiving a treat. Remember that dental treats help remove tartar and keep the teeth clean between brushes but are not a substitute for regular teeth brushing and annual veterinary dentist cleaning.
Controls plaque and tartar buildup: If plaque and tartar buildup on your cats’ teeth, it can cause dental issues such as bad breath, stained teeth, and bleeding gums.
Fights bad breath: If your cat is suffering from a bad odor from their breath, it is generally an indication that they need to have their teeth brushed. Bad breath can happen for many reasons, but it is most commonly caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in your cat’s mouth. Dental cat treats that contain menthol or chlorophyll will help freshen up your cat’s breath.
Promotes clean teeth and healthy gums: By the dental treats removing the buildup on your cats’ teeth, it in return keeps your cats’ teeth healthy. Dental cat treats can be fed to your cat regularly which makes them great for your cat’s teeth cleaning routine.
- Controls plaque and tartar buildup: If plaque and tartar buildup on your cats’ teeth, it can cause dental issues such as bad breath, stained teeth, and bleeding gums.
- Fights bad breath: If your cat is suffering from a bad odor from their breath, it is generally an indication that they need to have their teeth brushed. Bad breath can happen for many reasons, but it is most commonly caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in your cat’s mouth. Dental cat treats that contain menthol or chlorophyll will help freshen up your cat’s breath.
- Promotes clean teeth and healthy gums: By the dental treats removing the buildup on your cats’ teeth, it in return keeps your cats’ teeth healthy. Dental cat treats can be fed to your cat regularly which makes them great for your cat’s teeth cleaning routine.
Conclusion
Of the dental cat treats we have recommended in this article, two stood out as our favorites. Our first top pick is the Greenies feline dental treats because they are free from harmful ingredients and the large size encourages your cat to chew them, allowing the treat to work effectively as a tooth and gum cleaner. Our second pick is the DentaLife dental cat treats because they are affordable and rich in vitamins and minerals that are good for your cat’s dental health and overall well-being.
Hopefully, our in-depth reviews have helped you find the perfect dental treat to help keep your cat’s teeth clean and healthy.
Featured Image Credit: DSchmidtArt, Shutterstock
