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Whimzees Dog Treats Review 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Whimzees Dog Food Review

Vet approved

Dr. Paola Cuevas Photo

Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Paola Cuevas

MVZ (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Our Final Verdict

We give Whimzees dog food a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars:

Whimzees dog treats are a grain-free, vegetarian dental chew that promotes healthy teeth and gums. The company has become popular for its interestingly shaped snacks, plus their overall effectiveness. The different shapes or ”characters” are based on size and run from extra small to extra large. This company even produces fun holiday treats as well.

Whimzees are a VOHC-approved dental chew, as well as a non-GMO project-approved brand. They feature a LID formula that consists of six basic ingredients. That being said, they have other lesser ingredients in their formula that prove important for the overall effectiveness of the product.

In the article below, we will go over all the details regarding the ingredients, fun shapes, and all the other important information you need to decide whether this product is right for your pooch.

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At a Glance: The Best Whimzees Dog Treat Recipes:

Rating Image Product Details
Our Favorite
Winner
Whimzees Natural Grain-Free Dental Stix Whimzees Natural Grain-Free Dental Stix
  • Vegetarian and gluten-free
  • Knobby shapes ensures proper blood flow through the gums
  • Hollow shapes and spaces allow the teeth to easily grip and chew
  • Second place
    Whimzees Large Hedgehog Whimzees Large Hedgehog
  • Low fat
  • Rich in vitamins and antioxidants
  • Prevents bad breath and tartar buildup
  • Third place
    Whimzees Large Variety Dog Chews Container Whimzees Large Variety Dog Chews Container
  • Good for pet’s with food allergies
  • non-GMO formula
  • No meat or artificial ingredients
  • Whimzees Alligator Dental Treat For Small Dogs Whimzees Alligator Dental Treat For Small Dogs
  • Non-GMO formula
  • No artificial ingredients or meat products
  • Gluten-free
  • Whimzees Brushzees Natural Grain Free Dental Treats Whimzees Brushzees Natural Grain Free Dental Treats
  • All-natural
  • Non-GMO formula
  • No artificial ingredients or meat products
  • Whimzees Dog Treats Reviewed

    Whimzees are an all-natural grain and gluten-free dental dog treat that is available in sizes between extra small and extra-large. The fun shapes are designed to clean your pup’s teeth from tartar build-up and plaque. The different chews are also made to be easily held in your pet’s paws.

    Some of the more popular options available are the hedgehog treat for large dogs, the alligator treat for small pups, and the new brushzees for medium or average size dogs. Besides those options, you can also pick up a rice bone, star-shaped stix, veggie, and sausage sticks, or you can grab a variety bucket. As mentioned, they also release holiday sticks shaped like Christmas trees and snowmen, plus several other options.

    Who Makes Whimzees and Where Is It Produced?

    Whimzees is a company based and produced out of Holland. They are manufactured by WellPet LLC, who also owns other popular pet brands such as Wellness and Old Mother Hubbard.

    WellPet LLC has been around for more than 100 years. They work with many non-profit organizations helping pets live happy and healthy lives. Whimzees can be found in stores in over 32 countries and has the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal of approval. Whimzees is also a non-GMO project verified brand.

    Whimzees dental chews are produced and manufactured in Holland; however, they source their ingredients through Europe in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy. They pride themselves on being a once-a-day, natural, grain-free, and vegetarian snack with limited ingredients.

    Whimzees Bone

    Which Type of Dog Is Whimzee Best Suited For?

    Any pooch with teeth can benefit from this product. The shapes of the chew are specifically designed to remove stubborn tartar and plaque, freshen breath, and promote well-being in your pup. The grooves and texture of the chew will scrape bacteria and provide your pet with a long-lasting snack.

    Dogs with sensitivities to wheat, gluten, chicken, or artificial ingredients will do well with this option. Aggressive chewers also have been lucky with this dental treat as it is harder to destroy and eat than other brands in this category.

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    Whimzee has a complete line with several presentations, so please be mindful when you pick a specific product. The product should be suitable for your dog’s size, condition, and habits. As with any chewable product, it is always advised to keep an eye on your dog since there is a choking hazard with any chew product.

    Which Types of Dogs Might Do Better With a Different Brand?

    No product is going to be perfect for every dog. However, in this case, if your pet has digestive issues or a temperamental stomach, this might not be the best option, as they can be harder to process. The hardness of the chew is not easily broken down.

    With that last thought in mind, Whimzees are not recommended for dogs under 9 months old. What’s more, if your pet has soft or sensitive teeth, these chews might be a bit too hard. For that same reason, you need to supply water for your pet while they are consuming the treat. If they tend to gobble up their snacks sans breathing, you should also be conscious of choking.

    If you prefer a softer dental chew for your pet, we recommend Nutri-Vet Dental Health Soft Chews For Dogs. This is a soft treat for your pup that reduces bacteria causing tartar and plaque build-up. You will also find CoQ10 in the formula, which helps strengthen teeth, as well as promote heart health.

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    Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and Bad)

    As mentioned, Whimzees are made with a LID formula meaning they use as few ingredients as possible in their treats. They also formulate without meat products, grain, gluten, artificial ingredients, and GMO’s. Their vegetarian snack is good for those dogs with allergies, sensitivities, or other stomach and digestive troubles. Below, we will take a closer look at the primary ingredients, lesser ingredients, and nutritional value.

    Primary Ingredients

    Whimzees uses six main ingredients in their formula. All of the products have a specific purpose to promote dental well-being, plus additional nutritional value. Take a look at the main ingredients below.

    • Potato Starch – Potato starch is a gluten-free binding agent that will boost your pet’s energy.
    • Glycerin – This ingredient helps retain moisture, but there is no real nutritional benefit. There is also no harm unless it is made from biofuel.
    • Powdered Cellulose – Cellulose is a form of fiber that can help with teeth care. Some forms are made of sawdust or other materials not deemed safe for “human consumption.”
    • Lecithin – Lecithin is a mixture of fats that are a vital component of cell membranes.  It has several uses, but in this case, it creates a long-lasting chew. Be aware, however, that some forms are made from soy.
    • Malt Extract – This is a gluten-free sweetener that promotes healthy bones and metabolism.
    • Yeast – Yeast provides vitamin B and amino acids. Too much yeast can cause digestive issues, however.

    Lesser Ingredients

    Whimzees use the above ingredients to formulate the majority of their recipe, yet the chews contain other ingredients as well. Not every treat will have all of these, as it depends on the particular one, but we wanted to give you an idea of what else could be lurking in your pet’s snack.

    • Alfalfa – Whimzees is a gluten-free and meat-free product, and they have added alfalfa as a substitute for protein that would normally come from beef or chicken. This is an ingredient that keeps the body from becoming too acidic. The problem with this supplement is dogs can have a hard time processing it. In low quantities, it should be okay, however.
    • Sweet Lupine Meal – This is another alternative to meat-based protein. It is also a cheap alternative to soy beans.
    • Annatto Extract Color – This is a natural food coloring that is used to give the treats their vibrant appearance. Be advised though, this is the only natural food coloring that has been linked to allergic reactions such as seizures.
    • Paprika – Paprika is a spice that is often used to add color and flavor to pet food and treats. It can cause eye and throat irritation, plus digestive issues in higher quantities. Since there is a lower amount in these treats, dogs that don’t have stomach issues should be okay.
    • Calcium Carbonate – This is a calcium supplement that will keep the acid in your pet’s stomach low. Not only that but it also helps with the treats texture
    • Clove Bud Oil – Clove oil, in this case, is used to fight bad breath. The difficult part about this ingredient is the mixed message about whether it is safe for your dog. In small quantities, clove can be therapeutic, but there is a fine line between that and a toxic dose. Especially in oil form, the amount in the product should be very low. Also, this is a popular ingredient in dog deterrent sprays, and they typically do not like the bitter taste.

    Nutritional Value

    Our last subject on this topic is the nutritional value of the Whimzees dental treats. First, as you would expect from a gluten-free vegetarian formula, the protein levels are on the low side. Experts suggest that your dog’s diet contains between 18-26% crude protein. The Whimzee chews only offer 1.10%. That being said, as long as the protein level in their regular diet is maintained, this should not be an issue.

    Fiber is also an important part of your pet’s nutritional diet. These treats contain 13.70%, which is rather good for a dental snack. Also, fat is important as your dog turns it into energy. In this case, you will find a 2.3% minimum and 4.0% maximum. Depending on your pet, this is not too bad. The percentage will vary depending on the individual chew, so caution is recommended if your pet has a weight issue.

    Finally, we have the calorie count. Again, this will vary depending on the particular style of treat you choose. Generally speaking, dogs should get 30 calories per pound of body weight per day. Using this ratio, the treats can be somewhat high in calories, yet it can depend on your pup.

    A Quick Look at Whimzees Dog Treats

    Pros
    • Vegetarian formula
    • Gluten and wheat-free
    • No GMO’s or artificial ingredients
    • Effective dental health chews
    • All-natural ingredients
    Cons
    • Can cause a choking hazard
    • They are hard to break down
    • Some ingredients are questionable

    Recall History

    At the time this article was written, Whimzees has not been involved with a recall on any of their products. That being said, their parent company WellPet LLC did a voluntary recall on their Wellness brand canned dog food in 2017 due to naturally occurring thyroid hormones in the beef toppers. They also had two other voluntary recalls regarding their dry dog food and canned cat food under two other brands.

    Although Whimzee was not related to any of these incidents, it is important to mention as the parent company would typically issue the recall. What’s more, a voluntary recall is a sign of good faith, as it shows their dedication to the well-being of their animal patrons.

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    Reviews of the 3 Best Whimzees Dog Treat Recipes

    1. Whimzees Brushzees Natural Grain-Free Dental Dog Treats

    WHIMZEES Brushzees Daily Grain-Free X-Small Dental Dog Treats

    This is a fairly new version of Whimzee dental treats. They are a “brush-shaped” chew that has ridges and texture to clean out dog’s teeth and gums of tartar, plaque, and bad breath. As is customary with this brand, Whimzee dental treats is all-natural with no GMOs, artificial ingredients, or meat products.

    This particular snack comes in extra small, small, and medium. Though it is not recommended for large dogs, they do have the distinction of lasting longer than some of their other chews. Also, you should note that they are harder to break down in your pup’s digestive system.

    Pros
    • All-natural
    • Non-GMO formula
    • No artificial ingredients or meat products
    • Effective
    • Gluten-free
    • Long-lasting
    Cons
    • Not recommended for large dogs
    • Can be a choking hazard
    • Hard to break down

    2. Whimzee Alligator Dental Treat for Small Dogs

    WHIMZEES Alligator Grain-Free Dental Dog Treats

    This adorable chew comes in the shape of an alligator and is designed for small pups to help clean their teeth and gums. The ridges and knobs create the perfect surface to reduce plaque and tartar, plus it will be useful in relieving bad doggie breath.

    This formula is made with all-natural vegetarian ingredients that are free of GMOs, gluten, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. One thing to note about this option is the hardness of the treat can be difficult for your pet to digest. What’s more, small arms can cause a potential choking risk.

    Pros
    • All-natural
    • Effective
    • Non-GMO formula
    • No artificial ingredients or meat products
    • Gluten-free
    Cons
    • Can be hard to digest
    • Can be a choking hazard

    3. Whimzees Large Variety Dog Treat Container

    WHIMZEES Variety Pack Grain-Free Medium Dental Dog Treats

    This variety pack of the Whimzee dental treats will give you several different options to choose from. It is especially handy if you have multiple pups who enjoy a good snack. The formula is all-natural without artificial ingredients or meat products. All of the treats will help your dog’s oral hygiene and help freshen their breath.

    Keep in mind that some of the small chews are not recommended for large dogs, as they can cause a choking hazard. Also, the hard snack is not easily broken down in their system and can cause a stomach upset. Make sure to give your pet water with these treats and monitor them while they are enjoying the chew.

    Finally, you should also note that this is a non-GMO formula that is grain-free, so it will be kind to those pets with food allergies.

    Pros
    • Effective
    • All-natural
    • Good for pet’s with food allergies
    • non-GMO formula
    • No meat or artificial ingredients
    Cons
    • Can be a choking hazard
    • Hard to digest

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    What Other Users Are Saying

    It is said that most consumers are more likely to consider other people’s reviews as the basis of whether or not they buy a product. As we agree with this assessment, we thought we would add some customer feedback from various online establishments to further help you understand the benefits of Whimzee dental treats.

    Chewy.com

    “My 2-year-old dog loves these!!! I’ve been giving her greenies since I got her but she’s basically just swallowing them whole. The shape of these makes her slow down and really chew them and let them work their magic. Her teeth look a lot better and she gets so excited to have one that she starts running around barking.”

    Chewy.com

    “Our Sampson just loves [the] treat[s] that he gets once a day with these dental treats. He purposely goes for a long walk in any weather just to get this treat. He loves all the flavors and chews away. Best thing we have purchased.”

    PetSmart.com

    “My dog started getting [W]himzees as a daily treat a little over a year ago. His teeth are cle[a]ner and his breath is better than ever. His vet says he jumped a full cat[e]gory in his dental health. While we still have his teeth cleaned, it is much easier and quicker”

    We also understand that most customers look to Amazon for reviews on potential products. As there are too many Whimzee reviews to choose from, we have provided a link here, so you can look through the customer raves and rants at your convenience.

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    Conclusion

    We hope you have enjoyed this review of the Whimzee Dental Dog Treats. In our opinion, this is a good option for cleaning your pet’s teeth and gums. It will reduce the amount of tartar and plaque build-up, plus help freshen their breath.

    This is also a good option for dogs with food allergies or stomach sensitivities, as it doesn’t contain any meat products, artificial ingredients, or grains. What’s more, this brand is a non-GMO Project Verified company, plus it has the VOHC seal of approval!

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