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Dental chew (VOHC-accepted)
Why the VOHC seal matters
The pet dental aisle contains dozens of chews with vague claims. VOHC is an independent volunteer body that reviews clinical trials submitted by manufacturers and grants a seal only to products that hit a defined plaque-or-tartar reduction threshold. The full accepted list lives at vohc.org.
Chew safety
- Avoid antlers, hooves, nylon bones, and bully sticks harder than a thumbnail — these are the top causes of slab fractures on carnassial teeth.
- Size the chew above your dog's mouth, oversized reduces swallow risk.
- Supervise every session, remove nubs before they become a choking hazard.
- Chews add calories, subtract from the day's meal ration.
Why it matters
Brushing beats every chew ever tested, but most owners won't brush daily. A VOHC-accepted chew is the highest-evidence backup and a lot cheaper than a professional dental cleaning under anesthesia.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a chew replace tooth brushing?
- No. Chews slow plaque buildup between brushings, they don't clear plaque from every tooth surface the way a brush does.