While nothing compares to the effectiveness of daily tooth brushing, some dental treats have been clinically proven to help reduce tartar and gingivitis. That being said, please keep in mind that all dental ch…ews were NOT created equally! When evaluating a dental treat, you should look into whether or not the manufacturer ever did any studies to show that their product truly works. The vast majority of products we find on store shelves simply don’t have any evidence backing their claims. Since there is not government regulation of the “dental health” claim, anyone can put it on their label! Another simple step is looking for the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal of approval on the packaging. To have this on the label, a product has to pass the rigorous standards of the VOHC for proving the product is effective. When using dental chews to help care for your furry friend’s pearly whites (and gums), you should also take into consideration the calorie content of the treat. For example, a Large size Greenies adds 137 calories to your pooch’s diet. If she’s a 50 pound dog who’s trying to lose a few pounds, she only needs around 450 calories a day — so you really have to account for the treats when calculating how much of her regular kibble to feed! Especially when it comes to cats, we’ve noticed that our own kitties are pretty good at swallowing many dental chews whole, totally defeating the purpose! Always supervise your pet when trying out dental chews. A final note of caution — not all dental chews are proven to be safe! We frequently see fractured teeth from certain chews that are just too hard for the enamel. If you ever have any questions or concerns about your pet’s oral health, we’re just a call, visit, email, or Facebook message away