Dental health in dogs is often overlooked by pet parents. Most owners assume a healthy diet, plenty of water, and lots of exercises keep their pets healthy and happy. While all of these things are essential to the overall well being of your pets dental health is also extremely important.
Pet parents who are aware of the importance of caring for their dog’s dental health often use a convenient treat instead of dog toothpaste to get the job done. This causes pet parents to make a decision between choosing Dentastix or Greenies dental treats.
Poor oral health in pets can lead to a wide range of issues including bad breath, gingivitis, tumors, cysts, periodontal disease, gum disease, tartar, plaque, toothache, heart disease, kidney disease, and the inflammation of mucous membranes.
Pet parents are often surprised when they find out their amazing pet has oral health issues and requires treatment by a professional. A veterinarian is usually the one to deliver the bad news but in most cases, the situation is treated successfully.
As a pet owner, you can avoid expensive oral health care bills by helping your pet maintain a healthy mouth. While brushing your pet’s teeth regularly is recommended an easier way to help maintain overall good oral health is to use a tasty treat that gets the job done such as Dentastix or Greenies.
Since most pet parents don’t know which one of these options to choose from, we have done the research for you to help you determine if Dentastix or Greenies are the right options for your pet!
Dentastix vs. Greenies
These tasty treats have a chewy texture and are specifically designed to reduce tartar and plaque buildup and promote overall good oral health.
Ingredients
Rice Flour, Wheat Starch, Glycerin, Gelatin, Gum Arabic, Calcium Carbonate, Natural Poultry Flavor, Powdered Cellulose, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Iodized Salt, Potassium Chloride, Vitamin C, B12 supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin A supplement, B2 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Alpha Tocopherol Acetate, Potassium Sorbate, Smoke Flavor, Zinc Sulfate, Green Tea Extract, Turmeric, Iron Oxide, and Copper Sulfate.
Nutritional Information
- Crude Protein – Min. 8.0%
- Crude Fiber – Min. 1.0%
- Moisture – Max. 18.0%
How Dentastix Help with a Dog’s Oral Hygiene
The cross-shaped design and chewy texture create an excellent dental tool that helps naturally remove tartar and plaque buildup. Your dog will think they are enjoying a tasty treat but they are also cleaning their teeth and massaging their gums.
The chewing movement cleans the teeth and helps prevent gum disease and other oral health issues.
Varieties within the Pedigree Dentastix Brand
Flavors
- Beef
- Grain-Free
- Bacon
- Original
- Dual Flavors
- Puppy Strong and Healthy
- Triple-Action
- Fresh Mint
Quantity Size
- 6 count
- 9 count
- 15 count
- 21 count
Dental Treat Size
- Toy
- Small
- Medium
- Large
Past Recalls on Pedigree Products
The following recalls were for Pedigree products but don’t include Dentastix.
- August 2014 – Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food was recalled due to reports of metal fragments found in a few packages.
- June 2012 – Pedigree Weight Management dog food was recalled due to reports of small pieces of blue plastic found in the food and put dogs at risk of choking.
- August 2008 – Some Pedigree dog food was recalled from specific stores due to possible salmonella contamination.
About the Pedigree Company
The Pedigree company is a subsidiary of Mars Inc., which is best known for manufacturing the Mars candy bar. The company is also known for their passion and dedication to creating healthy dog food. The company saying goes, “everything we do is for the love of dogs, from the dog food we make to the dog adoption drive we support.” Pedigree also manufactures popular pet lines such as Natura, Eukanuba, Greenies, and Iams.
GREENIES Dental Treats
These delicious treats are made with natural ingredients and specially formulated for easy digestion. The design of the treat provides a variety of textures and grooves to ensure proper cleaning of the teeth.
Ingredients
Wheat Flour, Wheat Gluten, Glycerin, Gelatin, Oat Fiber, Water, Lecithin, Natural Poultry Flavor, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Amino Acide Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Selenium, Potassium Iodide, Dried Apple Pomace, Choline Chloride, Fruit Juice Color, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12 Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Turmeric Color.
Nutritional Information
- Crude Protein – Min. 30%
- Crude Fat – Min. 5.5%
- Crude Fat – Max. 7.0%
- Crude Fiber – Max. 6.0%
- Moisture – Max. 15%
- Calcium – Min. 0.50%
- Phosphorus – Min. 0.40%
- Niacin – Min. 14 mg/kg
How Greenies Dental Treats Helps with a Dog’s Oral Hygiene
The unique half bone half toothbrush design provides your dog with options for ultimate teeth cleaning. The rigged grooves on the toothbrush design offer deep cleaning and gum massage while the bone design allows your dog to strengthen their teeth as they chomp down.
Varieties within the Greenies Brand
Flavors
- Original
- Blueberry
- Fresh
- Puppy Care
- Aging Care
Quantity Size
- 11 count
- 22 count
- 43 count
- 65 count
- 96 count
- 130 count
Dental Treat Size
- Teenie
- Puppy Bites
- Petite
- Regular
- Large
Past Recalls on the Greenies Products
Mars Inc manufactures Greenies dental treats for dogs and doesn’t have any known recalls for this product. However, there have been reports on rare occurrences that some dogs have choked on pieces of the treat that were bitten off and not chewed properly.
Although the dental treat is easily digestible when chewed properly, it has been confirmed by veterinarians that large chunks of the treat that aren’t chewed can linger in the digestive tract and lead to surgical removal.
About the Greenies Company
Greenies is a subsidiary of Mars Inc., which has been family-owned for more than 100 years.
This company might have begun with manufacturing one of the most delicious candy bars in the world but in today’s world, they are more recognized for their dedication and passion to providing dogs with an overall healthy diet which includes food and treats.
Mars Inc. also manufactures other popular pet lines such as Eukanuba, Natura, Pedigree, and Iams.
Key Differences Between Dentastix and Greenies
Both of these beneficial dental treat options are manufactured by Mars Inc., This company is more than 100 years old and has built a trustworthy reputation in the pet industry.
Ingredients
Dentastix and Greenies have similar healthy ingredients filled with vitamins and minerals. Greenies have a few additional natural ingredients such as dried apple compared to Dentastix. However, both are nutritional, easy to digest when chewed properly, and beneficial for overall good oral health.
Shape
A key difference between the two dental treat options is the shape. Dentastix is a stick shape similar to a twig found outdoors and features an “X” design throughout the entire treat. The “X” shape provides dogs with the option of positioning the treat against their teeth and gums in various ways.
The chewy texture makes it easy for dogs to naturally remove tartar and plaque from their teeth while massaging their gums. Greenies have a unique design that is the half bone shape and half standard toothbrush shape.
The bone side allows dogs to treat it as their favorite tasty bone and chew on it however they need, while the grooves and ridges on the toothbrush side provide the perfect opportunity for dogs to find the right position for their specific sized teeth to get in on the chewing action.
The texture of Greenies is a bit dense compared to Dentastix but both options get the job done!
Flavor
Dentastix treats flavors are more focused toward the savory side such as bacon, beef, and mint while Greenies flavors are geared towards the fruity side such as blueberry and refreshing mint. A determining factor in your choice between Dentastix and Greenies could come down to the flavor your dog prefers.
Some dogs enjoy the taste of beef and bacon while others will spit it out and prefer blueberry or vice versa. Your dog’s taste has a lot to do with your decision between these two healthy dental treat options.
Recalls
Pedigree has reported a few recalls throughout their history but none of them involved their dentastix treats.
Greenies don’t have any reported recalls but have confirmed cases of dogs not chewing the dental treat thoroughly and swallowing big chunks that caused some dogs, in rare cases, to experience digestive blockage that lead to surgical removal of the large portion of the treat.
Bottom Line
Overall, Dentastix and Greenies are both healthy options that successfully improve and maintain good oral health in dogs.
The treats are unique and provide options for puppies, toy size, small, medium, large and X-large dog breeds to clean their teeth and massage their gums. The goal of both options is to maintain and improve oral health care in dogs. Dentastix and Greenies are both uniquely designed for a dog’s mouth, teeth, and gums.
The specially designed ridges on both options help remove plaque and tartar from teeth and maintain an overall healthy mouth when used regularly and as instructed on the package. The tasty flavors give dogs something to look forward to and help them enjoy chewing and eating the treat.
Sometimes they might beg for more before their next one is due. Dental treats are created and designed with the well being of canine oral health. It helps remove tartar and plaque but also prevents gingivitis, periodontal disease, gum disease, and bad breath.
Dogs that have poor oral health for a long period of time could experience heart disease and kidney disease which could also lead to other serious health issues and sometimes death. Caring for your dog’s oral health is equally as important to the food and water you provide for their diet.
Poor oral health can also lead to chronic toothaches and refusal to chew or eat which leads to weight loss and malnutrition. Dentastix and Greenies dental treats are both excellent options that will help maintain overall good oral health for your dog!
The Review
Dentastix vs. Greenies
Its hard to choose an outright winner between Dentastix and Greenies. Read through our detailed comparisons to help you decide.
Review Breakdown
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Pedigree DentaStix
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GREENIES Dental Treats
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