Are Dental Chews Really Worth It? Natural vs. Commercial Options

Ingredients in most dental sticks

TLDR : Most dental sticks rely on starches, humectants (like glycerin), flavours and preservatives; they’re designed for convenience, not long chew time.

Commercial “dental” sticks are designed to be soft enough to chew quickly and tasty enough to feed daily. Typical inclusions:

• Starches & plant fibres (to hold shape)

• Glycerin/sorbitol (for texture and shelf life)

• Flavourings & colours (for palatability)

• Preservatives (to stay soft on the shelf)

• Breath-fresheners (herbs or “minty” additives)

These products can be convenient, but the ingredient list is long — and the chew time is often short.

How natural chews clean teeth

TLDR: Natural chews clean by abrasion and longer chew time, not additives.

Natural chews work by mechanical abrasion — the exact thing plaque hates. Longer chewing = more scrubbing. Good examples:

• Tough skins & tendons (e.g., roo tendons, shark skin straps) — fibrous, “squeegee” action along the tooth.

• Fur-on ears/skins — fine hairs act like gentle floss while adding gut-friendly fibre.

• Horns/antlers/hooves — very long-lasting options for appropriate chewers.

• Raw meaty bones / air-dried bones — when sized correctly and supervised, they help scrape teeth while exercising jaws. Chicken wings, turkey necks and brisket bones are all excellent options.

Long-term safety and gut health

No chew is one-size-fits-all. Choose with intent:

• Match density to the dog. Power chewers may handle antlers or horns; delicate chewers often do better with tendons, ears or skins.

• Supervise and size up. Remove small pieces; avoid gulping. Never feed cooked bones.

• Gut perks of natural chews: single-ingredient (no fillers), fur = natural fibre, tripe = digestive enzymes, and lean options for dogs watching fat.

• Commercial sticks: generally safe for daily feeding, but quick to finish and can add extra starch/calories without much jaw work.

Which is better for breath, teeth, and overall wellness?

• Breath: Commercial sticks may mask odour; natural chews address the cause (plaque) via abrasion and saliva flow.

• Teeth: Long-lasting, textured natural chews usually provide more scrubbing per treat.

• Wellness: With single-ingredient options, you avoid additives while adding enrichment and appropriate protein.

Balanced view: Some commercial chews help a bit, but for meaningful plaque control you’ll get more from properly sized, supervised natural chews in regular rotation. (And once tartar is set, only a vet clean truly resets the clock.)

How to build a natural dental routine with treats

Use this simple plan:

Natural Dog Dental Routine

1. Choose 2–3 textures: e.g., beef achilles tendon (chewy), goat ear with fur (fibrous), shark skin strip (abrasive).

2. Chew frequency: 3–5 sessions per week, 10–30 minutes depending on the chew and dog.

3. Right size, right density: size up; match toughness to your dog’s chewing style.

4. Supervise + water: always watch; keep fresh water available.

5. Top-ups: add raw meaty/air-dried bones periodically if suitable. NEVER FEED COOKED BONES - they can splinter and cause serious damage

6. Spot checks: lift lips weekly; if you see heavy brown calculus or sore gums, book a vet dental.

The Bonza angle

At Bonza we keep it simple: single-ingredient, air-dried chews with natural textures — from shark skin and roo kneecaps to goat horns, deer antlers, and fur-on ears. They’re built for real chewing, not just minty marketing.