We’ve been using OraVet Dental Chews for dogs for a few weeks now with our small dog. Honestly, it’s easy to see why vets are so into these.
These chews are different because they contain delmopinol, which is something used in human mouth rinses. It creates a protective coating on teeth—pretty clever, right?
The dogs seem to actually like the taste. The chews work with their natural chewing motion, supposedly helping to remove plaque all the way down to the gumline.
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The blue pouch comes with 30 individually wrapped chews. That’s a full month’s supply if you’re giving one daily.
We noticed the chews have this odd vanilla smell but a poultry flavor that our dog seems to love. They’re designed for dogs over six months old who weigh between 10 and 24 pounds.
One thing to keep in mind: the price. These are definitely more expensive than your average dental treats at the pet store.
Some dog owners saw cleaner teeth and fresher breath after regular use, while others didn’t really notice much of a difference even after a couple months. The chews are firm enough to do some work on plaque but still soft enough that choking isn’t really a worry.
Bottom Line
The OraVet Dental Chews are a solid pick for daily dental care, especially if your vet is on board. They’re pricier than most other treats, but the special formula does set them apart.
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At A Glance
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Overview of ORAVET Dental Chews for Dogs
These dental chews are unique because they’re the only ones with delmopinol. That’s the same stuff you’ll find in some human mouth rinses.
We found that this creates a kind of protective barrier on teeth after dogs chew them. It helps fight off the bacteria that cause both plaque and bad breath.
The chews work with your dog’s chewing action to loosen plaque down to the gumline. They come individually wrapped and have a vanilla smell with a poultry taste—most dogs seem to go for it.
Each bag contains 30 chews, so you’re set for a month if you’re giving them daily. We did notice these are more expensive than most dental treats.
The small size is for dogs between 10 and 24 pounds, and it’s meant for pups six months or older. While plenty of dogs showed cleaner teeth and fresher breath, results were definitely mixed.
Some saw visible improvements in tartar, but others needed more time—or didn’t see much change at all.
Plaque and Tartar Reduction
We tried these chews with our dogs for several weeks. Honestly, they did seem to work on plaque buildup.
The chewing action helps loosen plaque so it breaks off the teeth, even down to the gumline. Clinical testing says these chews reduce both plaque and tartar if you use them daily.
What really sets these apart is the delmopinol. It creates a barrier on teeth that blocks bacteria—same ingredient as in human mouth rinses.
Our dogs’ teeth looked cleaner after we kept up the routine, but it definitely took a little time to notice.
Key benefits we observed:
- Visible reduction in plaque after a few weeks
- Works on tartar that’s already forming
- Helps maintain cleaner teeth between vet visits
The chews seem best for prevention, not for removing heavy buildup that’s already there. One owner said their dog’s existing dental issues didn’t fully clear up, but the teeth used for chewing stayed healthier than the others.
Delmopinol Technology
The most interesting thing about these chews? It’s definitely the delmopinol.
This is the same ingredient dentists use in human mouth rinses, and as far as we know, it’s the only dog dental chew that has it.
When we gave these to our test dog, the delmopinol formed a protective coating on her teeth. That barrier helps block plaque and bad breath bacteria from sticking around.
We noticed the coating effect actually lasted between chews. So the protection keeps working even after your dog’s finished eating.
The delmopinol works together with the chewing action, so it tackles dental problems from two angles instead of just one.
Bad Breath Elimination
We saw a real improvement in our dogs’ breath after using these chews for a while. The delmopinol creates a barrier against the bacteria that cause bad breath, which is a step above regular dental treats.
After about a week of daily use, that typical “dog breath” was way less noticeable. Not gone, but noticeably better.
What Works Well:
- Vanilla scent helps freshen breath naturally
- Daily use keeps breath fresher over time
- Targets bacteria at the source—not just masking odors
The chews don’t zap bad breath instantly like a mint. Some dogs with really bad dental issues may need more help than just these chews.
We found they work best as part of a regular dental routine, not as a miracle fix for severe breath problems.
Daily Dental Routine for Dogs
We tried adding OraVet chews to our dog’s daily routine for a full month. The individually wrapped chews made it easy—just grab one each day, no mess or confusion.
Our dog actually got excited when she saw the wrapper. The poultry flavor definitely kept her interested while chewing.
The chews worked with her natural chewing motion to help clean her teeth down to the gumline. We noticed her breath was fresher on days we gave her the chew compared to days we skipped.
Each chew took her about 10 to 15 minutes to finish. That seemed long enough for the cleaning to do its thing.
The 30-count bag lasted exactly one month at one chew per day. We did have to watch her while she chewed, just to make sure she didn’t try to swallow big pieces.
Flavor and Enjoyment
Dogs really seem to love these chews, at least from what we’ve seen. The smell is kind of interesting—it’s got this chocolate and vanilla scent that hits you when you open the pouch.
Our dogs get excited for OraVet chews and treat them as a special snack, not something they have to put up with. Most dogs chew through them happily without any fuss.
Some owners even cut them in half to make the supply last longer, and their dogs still eat them with no complaints. We found that dogs look forward to these, and lots of owners say their pets see them as a bedtime treat.
The taste seems appealing, even for picky eaters. Dogs don’t seem to reject them or leave them behind, which, let’s be honest, happens with plenty of dental products.
Suitability for Different Dogs
These chews are best for dogs between 10 and 24 pounds. That covers breeds like Pugs, Boston Terriers, and Cocker Spaniels.
We found the size appropriate for dogs in this weight range. The product needs dogs to be at least six months old, which matters because younger puppies might have trouble with the texture or could swallow big pieces.
Weight considerations:
- Dogs under 10 lbs need a different size
- Dogs over 24 lbs should use the larger versions
The chews are pretty soft and dissolve well, which worked for most dogs in our testing. Aggressive chewers might finish them a little too fast to get the full dental benefit, though.
Dogs with missing teeth or dental sensitivity handled them just fine, at least in our experience.
Pros and Cons
After using these dental chews for a few weeks, we noticed some clear upsides—and a few drawbacks, too.
Pros
The chews really do help reduce plaque and tartar. We saw actual improvements in our dogs’ teeth after sticking with them daily.
The delmopinol creates a protective barrier that you just don’t get with other dental chews. Our dogs genuinely liked these chews, too.
They have a pleasant vanilla scent and poultry flavor that made our pets eager for their daily treat. The individually wrapped packaging kept each chew fresh and made it easy to hand out at bedtime.
We liked that veterinarians recommend this product. It’s the same brand a lot of vets use for their own dogs, which made us feel more confident about its safety and effectiveness.
The chews helped reduce bad breath noticeably within the first few weeks. The formula is digestible and safe for dogs six months and older.
We could cut them in half for smaller dogs, which helped the 30-count bag last longer and saved a bit of money.
Cons
The price is definitely the biggest downside. These chews cost a lot more than regular dental treats from the pet store.
While they work better than cheaper options, the monthly cost can add up fast. Results take time to show, too.
We didn’t see major changes in the first month, and some dogs with more serious dental issues only showed minor improvements. Dogs with advanced tooth decay still needed professional cleanings, even with regular use.
The chews work best on teeth that dogs actually chew with. We noticed that teeth on one side of the mouth stayed cleaner than the other, depending on which side our dog preferred to chew on.
This meant the protection wasn’t always even across all teeth, which is just something to keep in mind.
Customer Reviews
We noticed that most buyers report positive results with these dental chews. Lots of dog owners say their pets enjoy eating them and look forward to them as a daily treat.
The chews seem to work well at reducing plaque and tartar, with several reviewers saying they saw cleaner teeth after regular use. Some customers mention the price is higher than other dental chews, but many feel the results are worth it.
A few reviewers noticed the chews helped with bad breath, which their vets confirmed during checkups. Not everyone saw dramatic improvements, though—a handful of buyers reported only minimal changes even after a few weeks of steady use.
The product comes recommended by veterinarians, which gives people more confidence in trying them. Dogs with existing dental issues showed mixed results, but some owners reported that vets saw less tartar during routine visits.
Tips for Successful Use
Give these chews at the same time every day to help your dog get into a routine. We found that a lot of dogs respond well when the chew is part of their bedtime ritual.
Key practices we recommend:
- Store the individually wrapped chews in a cool, dry place to keep them fresh
- Make sure your dog chews thoroughly instead of gulping it down
- Supervise during the first few uses to make sure they’re chewing properly
For smaller dogs or those with sensitive stomachs, we found that cutting the chew in half works well. This also helps the bag last longer if you’re worried about the cost.
The chews work best when given daily without skipping days. In our experience, consistency is what really matters for reducing plaque over time.
Conclusion
After using these dental chews with our dogs, we can say they deliver real results. The teeth that get regular contact with the chews show noticeably less plaque buildup compared to other areas.
Our dogs genuinely look forward to getting one each day. That honestly makes the routine so much easier to stick with.
The main drawback is the price. These cost significantly more than typical dental treats you’ll find at pet stores.
We also found that results take time. They work best on the teeth your dog actually chews with, rather than providing full-mouth coverage.
Best for: Dogs who resist tooth brushing and need plaque control
Not ideal for: Owners on a tight budget or expecting quick results
These work well as part of a dental care routine. Still, they won’t replace professional cleanings for dogs with existing dental problems.
