Dentastix vs Greenies: Which is Better? (2024 Comparison)

When it comes to dog food and dog treats, there are so many possibilities out there it can be difficult to know which one is the right choice. Not only are there hundreds of options, but there are also articles, reviews, opinions, and complaints to look at. It is difficult to find a good option without spending a fortune trying out different brands.

Two of the more popular dog treats are Dentastix and Greenies. Both of these are designed to help with your dog’s oral health. In the article below, we will do an in-depth comparison of these two brands to figure out which one is worth the money and which one you should leave behind.

 

A Sneak Peek at the Winner: Greenies

In our opinion, the Greenies Dental Dog Chew is the winner. Not only are they effective at reducing tartar and plaque buildup on your dog’s teeth, but they also will freshen your pup’s breath.

The winner of our comparison:

Greenies feature an all-natural formula, plus they have several varieties of treats you can choose from. They have a grain-free option that is good for dogs with food allergies, weight management chews for those dogs who have special diets, plus a senior formula for pets in their golden years.

Although Greenies dog chew is a great option for your dog, not everything is 100% on the up-and-up.

About Pedigree Dentastix

Dentastix is a dog oral hygiene treat that has a star-shape design that will scrape tartar and plaque from your dog’s teeth caused by bacteria. Not only that, but this chew is effective at whitening teeth plus freshening breath.

This dental hygiene treat comes in five different flavors. Their most popular is the original which is chicken flavored. Besides that, they also have a mint, bacon, and chicken and bacon combination. What’s more, they have a grain-free variety, a weight management option, plus a senior diet for older dogs.

The dental chew is recommended for dogs 30 lbs or more. We also encourage you not to give them to pups younger than 6 months old. You should also note that Dentastix does not have the VOHC seal of approval.

Effectiveness

The dentist fix formula supports oral hygiene by fighting on three fronts. First, the texture of the chew helps whiten and clean your dog’s teeth down to the gum line. Second, the X shape will remove tartar and plaque buildup that is caused by leftover bacteria as your dog chews. The texture combined with the shape rubs against your dog’s teeth and gums pulling any film that has been left behind.

Thirdly, this option also works to freshen your dog’s breath. Bacteria and leftover organic substances get caught in your dog’s mouth and cause foul breath. It is not only the teeth and gums that can cause this but also their tongue and cheeks, as well.

This dental treat is effective for dogs of all breeds and life stages. As mentioned, we recommend that you not give this to any pups who are 30 pounds or lighter, or any puppies that are six months or younger. That being said, you should also check with your vet if your pet has pre-existing dental conditions.

Finally, these chews are more difficult to break down in your dog’s digestive system. Not only that, but small pieces can get stuck in their throat and cause a choking hazard.

Ingredients

Although Dentastix is an effective way to clean your dog’s teeth without having to brush, it is their ingredients list that puts them on the lower end of our comparison. First, however, this formula contains essential vitamins and minerals that your pup needs such as vitamin B1, B2, and B6. It also has vitamin E and potassium to further help your dog’s overall well-being.

That being said, there are several ingredients that are concerning. Not only can these items be harmful to your pet, but some of them are listed quite high on the ingredients list, meaning, they are in a more concentrated form in the formula.

Nutritional Value

Your dog’s diet is very important for not only their overall well-being but also for their oral health. That being said, the majority of their essential vitamins and nutrients should come from their daily meals. You want to make sure that their dental treats are not undermining that nutrition, but that it is adding to it.

Protein

In the case of Dentastix, the chew contains 8.0% crude protein. Although this is at a good level, some other treats have higher and more nutritional levels. Keep in mind though, that the bulk of their protein should come from dried or canned food.

Fiber and Fat

Fiber and fat content are also important for your pop. In this case, Dentastix have 1 .0% fat content and 4.5% fiber content. We would prefer to see slightly higher percentages on both of these nutritional values, but neither one is cause for alarm.

Calories

The more concerning factor is the calorie content. These treats have 76 kcal ME per treat. This is rather high especially for a treat, as your dog only needs 30 calories per pound of body weight each day. If your pup is on a restrictive diet, this might not be the best option.

Manufactured & Produced

Pedigree Dentastix is owned by the Mars Petcare company. Both Pedigree and Mars both have headquarters in the United States. The treats are manufactured in the United States, while the ingredients are sourced in North America. All the ingredients come out of either Mexico, the United States, or Canada.

About Greenies

Greenies are one of the most popular dental chews for dogs. These are a toothbrush-like shaped chew that has ridges and texture to help remove plaque and tartar buildup from your pet’s teeth. Not only that, but the snack will also whiten your dog’s chompers plus fresh in their breath.

Greenies also manufacture Pill Pockets which is a convenient way to get your dog to take unwanted medication. They are a small thimble-like treat where you can place a tablet inside, and pinch the top closed. Not only will your dog not be able to taste the medication, but they will also not be able to sniff it out.

As far as the dental treats, they come in a variety of sizes depending on your dog’s breed and size. You can pick them up in regular, teeny, large, or petit. They also have weight management options, aging care snacks, plus grain-free treats. What’s more, they come in a variety of flavors.

Effectiveness

As mentioned, Greenies are a toothbrush-like shaped snack that has ridges along one end and texture on the other. The shape is not only conducive to removing built-up bacteria and organic material from your pet’s teeth and gums, but it is also designed to be held in your dog’s paws.

Greenies use a combination of ingredients and texture to freshen your pet’s breath, as well. Although they are very effective at oral hygiene, it is important to note that they are a hard treat that is difficult to break down. As is common with most dental chews, you must monitor your dog while they are consuming the product so it does not get stuck in their throat.

Ingredients

Greenies pack their snacks with various vitamins and minerals to promote dental health, as well as, overall well-being. They are an all-natural formula, however, there are some ingredients of note that you should be aware of:

Besides those two ingredients, Greenies are formulated without any artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors. They are also recognized by the VOHC for their dental health effectiveness.

Nutritional Value

As we mentioned with Dentastix, the nutritional value of your pet’s treats is important to their overall diet. In this case, Greenies are a great source of protein at 30%. They also contain a 5.5 minimum and 7.0% maximum fat content, and a 6.0% fiber content which is also great.

On the calorie front, Greenies are in the average category. Experts recommend that your dog consumes 30 calories per pound of body weight each day. This dental chew contains 55 kcals per treat. Depending on your dog’s dietary needs, this could either be too high, but it is rarely too low.

Manufactured and Produced

Greenies is a subsidiary of the Mars company which has its headquarters in Tennessee. Mars purchased the company in 2006 from Joe and Judy Roetheli who developed the original brand in 1996 to find their dog a nutritious dental health treat that would eliminate their pup’s bad breath.

As mentioned, Greenies promotes in all-natural formula and maintains AAFCO guidelines in all of their manufacturing and packing facilities. The chews themselves are made in Kansas City, and the ingredients are sourced all around the world. Unfortunately, there is no indication in which particular country the ingredients originated.

The 3 Most Popular Brand Dentastix Treats Recipes

1. Pedigree Dentastix Treats For Small Medium Dogs

Pedigree Dentastix rate for small-medium dogs is the standard star-shaped chew that will remove plaque and tartar buildup from your pup’s teeth. As the name suggests, these treats are recommended for small to medium-sized dogs, and they are great for freshening your pup’s breast.

The statue comes in a tasty chicken flavor that your Pooch will love. One drawback of note, however, is that your dog needs to be monitored while consuming the trade as it can get stuck in their throat. Also, this option contains lead so any dogs with gluten allergies should steer clear.

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2. Pedigree Dentastix Fresh Treats For Large Dogs

The Pedigree dentastix fresh Treats have the customary x-shaped design that will clean your dog’s teeth down to the gum line. It is effective at removing tartar and plaque build-up, plus it will help freshen their breasts. The fresh dentist also has a mint flavor that adds another boost to the breath freshening action. Keep in mind, however, that some dogs do not prefer the taste of mint.

This formula is made with added vitamins and minerals to promote your dog’s overall well-being. You can get this chew in different size boxes depending on your needs. What’s more, this snack is recommended for larger dogs over 50lbs. The only other drawback of note is this option can be harder to digest as it does contain gluten products.

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3. Pedigree Dentastix Dog Treats Variety Pack

The Pedigree Dentastix variety pack comes with three different flavors. You can choose from the original chicken flavor, the fresh mint, or the beef flavor. Like all dentastix, this is an oral hygiene supplement that keeps your pet’s teeth clean without having to brush as often.

The standard star-shaped chew will clean your dog’s teeth down to the gum line while removing plaque and tartar caused by Leftover bacteria. These treats are made with an all-natural formula that also has added vitamins and minerals. A few things to keep in mind with this option is first, some dogs do not enjoy the mint flavor so you may not get a lot of use out of that option. Secondly, the streets can be harder to digest and break down.

The 3 Most Popular Greenies Treats Recipes

1. Greenies Grain-Free Natural Dog Treats

One of our favorite options for the Greenies Dental dog treats is the grain-free shoes. This oral hygiene helper will provide your dog with the brushing action without actually having to wrestle with them as you try to brush their teeth. The Ridges and texture of The Chew remove plaque and tartar from your pup’s teeth and gums.

This treat will also help to brush your dog’s breast. What’s more, if your dog suffers from any allergy from wheat corn or other grain products, this gluten-free option will eliminate this issue. Not only that, but the formula is made with added vitamins and nutrients to help your dog live a healthy life.

One drawback of note, however, is although these shoes are easier for your pet to digest, they can still be harder to break down. Your dog should be monitored to avoid a choking hazard. Also, the original flavor tends to be more popular among dogs.

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2. Greenies Senior Aging Care Natural Dental Dog Treats

Greenies, a senior dog treat, is another good option especially for dogs seven years or older. They are designed the same way as the smallest petite chews; however, the texture is a little different to provide a more gentle teeth cleaning solution. Also, this option is made with water-soluble ingredients that are easy to digest.

Another great benefit of the senior choice is the additional vitamins and nutrients in the formula. The treat contains antioxidants and probiotics to support healthy immune and digestive systems, not to mention, supplements to promote healthy joints. One thing to keep in mind is that these streets are very small, yet they are meant for larger dogs. if not careful, they can get stuck in your pet’s throat.

You also want to consider that these treats need to be chewed for them to be effective. As they are so small, larger dogs will not be able to chew them long enough for you to see a difference.

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3. Greenies Pill Pockets Natural Dog Treats Capsule Size

If you have ever needed it to give your pet medication in capsule form, you know the trouble this can cause. Greenies Pill Pockets makes your life easier. These small treats are designed to hide medication inside of a tasty chicken-flavored snack. You simply put the capsule inside the pocket and pinch the top closed.

When using these shoes, your dog will not be able to taste or smell the medication. Not only that, but they are made of natural ingredients. Something to note with this option, however, is that they do not provide much nutritional value. What’s more, dogs that are hip to the scheme can sometimes get the capsule out so monitoring them during med time is recommended.

Recall History of Pedigree Dentastix and Greenies

At the time this article was written, Greenies and their parent company Mars have not been involved in any recalls. That being said, Greenies has had an issue with choking hazard with their dental chews, although the lawsuits were settled out of court.

Pedigree Dentastix has not been involved in any recalls, either. That being said, Pedigree itself has had recent recalls regarding salmonella poisoning with their dry dog food. It is important to note, however, that Dentastix was not involved with that recall.

Pedigree Dentastix and Greenies Comparison

Both Pedigree Dentastix and Greenies are both effective dental hygiene treats. They also both use a different method for removing plaque and tartar build-up. For example, Dentastix uses a star shape that will clean your dog’s teeth down to the gums as they chew. Greenies is a brush-shaped snack with ridges that will also remove plaque and tartar.

Overall Effectiveness

As mentioned, both brands are effective at removing plaque and tartar, cleaning teeth, and freshening breath. The ingredients in both products will also help freshen your dog’s breath. That being said, Greenies tend to have a better track record in freshening breath due to the overall ingredients; which we will discuss more later.

Variety

Another important consideration is the variety the brand offers. Pedigree Dentastix offers its star-shaped chews in a few different sizes depending on your dog. There are five including their original chicken flavor and mint. The dental treats also have a grain-free option, as well as, a puppy chew.

Greenies, on the other hand, offer a bigger variety of products. They have several different sizes of the basic chew ranging from petite, teenie, original, and large. Not only that, but they have several flavors, plus different formulas for specific needs such as grain-free, senior dogs, and weight management.

Other Products

Although Greenies is known for its dental treats, they also carry some other products. One of their more popular items is the pill pockets. This is a small treat that allows you to hide a capsule in the pocket by pinching the top. It will keep your dog from smelling or tasting the medicine.

Greenies also produce bite-size treats that can be given throughout the day as a small snack or reward. These little treats not only help freshen their breath, but also have some additional nutritional value.

Nutritional Value

Pedigree Dentastix offers additional nutritional value. That being said, they have a significant amount of ingredients that are questionable, as we mentioned above. Also, the added nutrients are only so-so. For example, it has 8% crude protein, 1% fat, and 4.5% fiber. Although this is not terrible, it is not the best nutritional value, either. What’s more, the calorie content is high at 76 kcal per treat.

Greenies, on the other hand, have a better ingredients list with fewer questionable formula choices. As far as their nutritional value, they have a better calorie content at 55 kcal per treat. Not only that, but their protein level is at a healthier level with 6.0% fiber and 5.5% fat. The protein level is where this treat shines at 30%.

Manufacturing and Sourcing

Both Pedigree Dentastix and Greenies are parented by the Mars Petcare company. Each company has headquarters in the United States where the products are manufactured and packaged. That being said, Greenies source their ingredients from countries around the world. Dentastix, on the other hand, sources its ingredients from North America which gives them a slight edge in this category.

 

Dentastix vs Greenies – Conclusion

When it comes to Dentastix vs Greenies, if we had to recommend one product we would go with the Greenies Dental dog treats. They are an effective formula that also provides additional vitamins and minerals. They come at a decent price point, a good variety of products, with additional benefits for your pooch.

With that being said, Pedigree Dentastix is a good alternative. They are effective at cleaning your dog’s teeth, yet they are lacking in a few areas such as their ingredients list. Overall, we hope that the above review and comparison has given you a better understanding of these two products and brands.

See Also:

• Royal Canin vs Blue Buffalo Dog Food
• American Journey vs Blue Buffalo Dog Food
• Kirkland Nature’s Domain vs. Taste of the Wild Dog Food