Best Dog Chews of 2026

Dental chews often look like they were designed for a terrier and scaled up for a lab. Dentalife Large is the exception we like: it is sized for dogs 40 pounds and up, with eight ridges and a chewy texture that gives a big mouth something to work against. We recommend it as the large-dog dental chew because the size and ridges match the jaw, not just the label.

It is VOHC accepted and carries a clinical claim of 57 percent average tartar reduction, which is the kind of dental backup we want in a daily chew. The chicken flavor is mild, and the chew is easy to break into pieces for a dog that needs a smaller portion. A determined chewer can still finish one quickly, so treat it as a daily dental habit rather than a long-lasting pacifier.

A daily dental chew only works if the bag lasts long enough to make it a habit. Milk-Bone Brushing Chews for large dogs come 25 to a bag, and the twist design with nubs and ridges is easy to work into a morning or bedtime routine.

The chews are VOHC accepted, fortified with calcium, and flavored with chicken. They are not as dense as a nylon toy, and a strong dog can finish one without much delay. That is fine for a dental chew, less useful as a long distraction.

We think it is the value pick for large dogs because the bag goes further than most premium dental chews here without asking you to change the routine. The texture is forgiving for older mouths, and the size suits dogs 50 pounds and up. If your dog is a power chewer, keep a durable toy on hand for the rest of the day.

Small dogs often get stuck with chews that are either too hard or too big. SmartBones Mini Bones are sized for small breeds, with a rawhide-free outer layer wrapped around real chicken. The mini bone shape is easy for a little dog to hold, and the chew is soft enough to make progress without a struggle.

The chews are designed to be easy to digest, and chewing helps maintain teeth. The texture is closer to a firm treat than a nylon toy. Some dogs do not tolerate them, so introduce one at a time and watch for stomach upset.

We recommend them for small dogs that need a softer rawhide-free chew, especially households that already know their dog does well with chicken-based treats. They are not the answer for a power chewer. For a little dog that likes a chew it can actually finish, they are a sensible staple.

Rawhide is the divider in this category. Good 'n' Fun Kabobs are a traditional rawhide chew wrapped with chicken, pork hide, duck, and chicken liver, so they suit a dog that already does well with rawhide and enjoys a savory, layered chew.

The kabob shape is the fun part: it gives a dog a long stick to hold and different textures to work through. The real protein wrap adds flavor, and the chewing action helps reduce tartar and plaque. It is a substantial chew, not a soft training treat.

The digestibility is the caution. Some dogs handle these without issue; others get sick after eating them. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, introduce one and watch closely before making them a regular purchase.

The kabob shape also makes it a more engaging chew than a plain stick. A dog can hold one end and work at the coating, then settle into the rawhide underneath. That layered experience is the reason to choose it over a basic rawhide strip.

We prefer to keep these for rawhide-tolerant dogs and their people, not as the first chew we hand to a dog with a delicate gut. The flavor variety is the reason to choose them over a plain rawhide stick, and the kabob shape gives a dog more to do. If your dog already enjoys rawhide, they are a reasonable option to rotate in.

Whimzees are the chew we keep on hand when a dog needs a dental treat without chicken, grains, or artificial colors. The medium value box is sized for dogs 25 to 40 pounds, and the chews are vegetarian, grain-free, and shaped to stimulate gums as the dog works them down.

We recommend them for households managing food sensitivities because they check the dental box without the common proteins that show up in so many chews. The texture is firm enough to feel like a chew, and most dogs seem to enjoy the routine. The box is a bigger commitment than a single bag, so it suits a household that has already decided these work.

A single chew toy can lose its appeal once the novelty wears off. The Benebone 4-pack gives a medium dog four shapes to rotate, which is the practical reason we like it for multi-dog homes or for a dog that gets bored with the same bone.

The toys are made from durable nylon, with real flavor options like bacon, fish, and maple wood. Each shape is curved or offset for a paw-friendly grip, and the medium set is intended for dogs under 60 pounds. The variety is the point: you can put one out, wash another, and keep a third in reserve.

The four-pack makes more sense for a household with several dogs or a confirmed heavy chewer than for a casual chewer who needs one toy. It is also a bigger upfront purchase than a single chew, so it rewards a dog that already likes the Benebone shape.

We think it is the variety pick rather than the starter pick. If you already know your dog likes Benebone, the four-pack spreads the chewing across different shapes and cuts down on the scramble when one gets left outside. If you are buying your first durable chew, start with the single Wishbone and size up only if your dog needs more.

Some chews are treats; Busy Bone is a project. The dual-textured bone has a hard shell and a soft peanut butter middle, and that combination is what keeps a dog working at it instead of swallowing it in one go.

The chew is rawhide-free, made for adult dogs, and designed to help clean teeth. The peanut butter flavor is a strong draw, and the shape gives a dog something to hold while it works at the center. It is a good fit for a dog that needs a distraction during a grooming session or a quiet evening.

The texture varies with the dog: a strong chewer can get through the shell faster than expected, while a gentler dog may work at it for a while.

We reach for Busy Bone when we need a chew to buy a little quiet. It is a decent middle ground between a soft treat and a nylon toy, and the peanut butter center gives it an appeal that plain rawhide often lacks.

We were glad to have it for medium and large dogs that like a textured chew, especially dogs that get bored with smooth nylon. It is not the first pick for a small dog or a dog that needs a truly durable toy. For a busy-time chew with a flavor payoff, it earns its place.

The Z shape is not a gimmick. It gives the chew edges that reach different teeth as a dog works it around, which is why C.E.T. Veggiedent is one of the more purposeful dental chews in this group.

The formula is plant-based, gluten-free, and includes a prebiotic for digestive support. It is sized for small dogs between 11 and 22 pounds, and each chew carries 48 calories, so it fits into a daily routine without much guesswork.

The dental case is strong: the chew is designed to reduce tartar and plaque and freshen breath, and the texture gives a small dog enough resistance to make it useful. The catch is that some dogs refuse the texture.

We were surprised by how much the shape adds to the routine; it gives the dog a job rather than just a snack. We recommend it for small dogs on a daily dental plan, especially households that want a plant-based chew and are willing to pay for the format. A picky dog may need a trial before you commit to the bag.

The curved wishbone shape is why we reach for this Benebone first. It gives a dog a natural place to grip, and the nylon body has enough heft to feel substantial without being awkward for a medium mouth. The real bacon scent is the other simple hook: dogs notice it immediately, and it keeps the toy interesting after the first few minutes. For a medium dog that chews hard, this is the durable default we recommend.

It is not an edible treat, so it does not disappear in one sitting. Benebone builds these for strong chewers, and the medium Wishbone is the version we recommend for medium breeds that need a long-lasting outlet. The nylon has a firm, slightly textured feel that gives a dog something to work against. It is the chew we hand over when we want a dog occupied, not fed.