12 Best Dental Chews For Huskies: A Full Rundown

Figuring out the best dental chews for huskies can feel like walking through a minefield; with some products being vet-approved and others not, finding the right option for your husky can feel almost impossible.

The truth is that products approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council are proven to be beneficial for oral health, and these are what you should look out for if you’re concerned about your husky’s teeth. Other products can still be beneficial for oral health simply because they are chewable, but they aren’t as proven as those approved.

In this guide, we’ll go through 12 options that all provide different benefits for your husky. Some options are more durable and last longer, while others contain more health-focused ingredients to aid with digestion and much more.

Important Note – You shouldn’t rely entirely on dental chews for your husky’s oral health. Those that are VOHC-approved will contribute towards good oral hygiene, but these should be used alongside a regular cleaning routine (using a dog toothbrush) – not as a replacement.

Our Top Pick

If you’re in a hurry and want to get straight to our top recommendation, you can find it below:

These rawhide chews are VOHC-approved and contain only four ingredients. They’re also very durable, so your husky won’t eat them in a few seconds.

What To Look For In The Ideal Dental Chew For A Husky

You need to consider several factors when looking at the best dental chews for huskies.

We’ve listed these below in order of importance for huskies specifically.

Veterinary Oral Health Council Approval

The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) evaluates pet products to see if they meet their standards for reducing plaque or tartar.

To meet their standard, a product must reduce tartar by at least 10% and 20% if a chemical anti-plaque agent is used.

If the VOHC doesn’t approve a dental chew, it isn’t going to improve the oral health of your husky significantly. You can find a list of the products that they have approved here.

We’ve obviously prioritized this when deciding which chews are best for your husky, and we’ll let you know which treats are and aren’t approved.

Chews that aren’t approved can still be helpful as treats but remember that they aren’t proven to boost your husky’s oral health significantly.

Flavor

Flavor is important to consider with a breed like the husky, which can be very stubborn when it comes to just about anything, including dog treats.

It’s always helpful if more than one flavor is available so you can try a different type to see which one your husky prefers. With 12 chews on our list, you’ll definitely be able to find a flavor that suits your husky.

Ingredients

When looking at dental chews for huskies or any other type of treat or regular dog food, it’s essential to look at the ingredients.

Dental chews eventually get ingested, and given how often they are recommended to be fed, it makes sense to check the ingredients to ensure they are as nutritious as possible.

Grains are not as bad as they can be made out to be, but we do still prefer to feed our huskies grain-free treats that are packed full of natural ingredients. Likewise, artificial flavorings, preservatives, and colors are not ideal either.

Size & Durability

The last thing to consider is size.

Huskies are classified as medium-sized dogs, and they’ve got a very powerful bite to match.

This means you need a moderately sized dental chew that can withstand force. Otherwise, they’ll bite right through it and eat it in a second, which is not ideal for cleaning their teeth.

You’ll notice that most chews in our list are for large dogs, often heavier than the average weight of a husky. In our experience, huskies prefer larger chews that are harder to bite through rather than smaller ones that they’ll chew through in seconds.

For dental chews that are more suited as daily treats, we’ve recommended smaller sizes where necessary so you don’t have to worry about feeding your husky excessive calories.

If you’re looking for the best dog treats for huskies rather than dental chews, click here for our full rundown.

Top 12 Best Dental Chews For Huskies

Let’s get straight into the list.

1. Tartar Shield Soft Rawhide Daily Chews

Our top pick is the soft rawhide treat by Tartar Shield.

These have been VOHC-approved since 2007 and contain just four ingredients, which makes it easy to know what you’re getting.

These made the number one spot because of their texture. They’re made from natural beef hide, which makes them durable but, at the same time, soft enough for your husky to sink its teeth into.

They’re baked with bacon flavor, intensifying the natural flavoring and making it irresistible to even the most stubborn husky.

There is no denying how expensive they are, but when you compare how long they last to other dental chews, it is worth the cost, in our opinion.

2. Greenies Large Dental Treats

Greenies are one of the most popular brands for dental chews, and it’s no surprise.

They’re VOHC-approved and have a great texture that will keep your husky interested for a long time. They’re one of the most proven dental chews, reducing tartar by up to 60% and plaque by 32%.

3. Purina Daily Oral Care Large Dental Dog Treats

Purina is known for making some of the best dental chew products on the market, and these are no different.

You can feed these chews to your husky daily and feel safe knowing they are VOHC-approved and benefit your husky’s oral health.

They are on the softer side, so if your husky is particularly hungry, there’s a chance they’ll eat them in seconds.

4. Milk-Bone Brushing Chews

If you’re looking for a great option that most huskies will love, these Milk-Bone brushing chews are ideal.

They’re proven to be beneficial to your husky’s oral health thanks to their VOHC approval, and they’re packed full of flavor and lots of natural ingredients.

The large size is ideal for a daily or weekly treat, and you can opt for smaller sizes if your husky takes a liking to them.

5. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Wild Bones

If you’re looking for an all-natural dog chew that’s grain-free and free from preservatives, colorings, and artificial flavorings, these chews from Wilderness Wild Bones are a great choice.

Huskies absolutely love these treats, and they’re also much tougher than most other chews, so your husky won’t just eat them in a few seconds.

The only downside is that the VOHC doesn’t approve them, so their effectiveness for oral health has not been proven. If approved, you would see these much higher up the list.

6. ProDen PlaqueOff System Dental Bone Dog Treats

These ProDen dental dog treats are clearly built with science in mind.

They’re VOHC-approved and contain many natural and healthy ingredients, such as sea kelp and flaxseed, with many other health benefits outside of oral health.

They’re durable enough to withstand a husky’s bite for at least a few minutes, but they are a more expensive option than others on the list.

7. WHIMZEES by Wellness Dental Dog Treats

WHIMZEES is a great brand, and this value box is a perfect option if you want to buy lots of treats with varying sizes and flavors.

These can work incredibly well if your husky is stubborn when it comes to treats, as there’s a high chance they’ll enjoy at least one of the types of treats in the box.

These are also VOHC-approved, so you can have peace of mind that they are benefitting your husky’s oral health.

8. Yummy Combs Flossing Dog Treats

These oral care dog treats by Yummy-Combs are one of the most high-tech options in this list.

They’re designed with oral care in mind and have a unique shape. They’re super high in protein (44%), ideal for huskies, and they also contain SlickM, allowing the treat to dissolve and digest quickly.

We’ve found that these aren’t the most durable, especially if your husky is quite aggressive with their food, and they are also on the expensive side, thanks to the design and science behind them.

9. Virbac C.E.T. VeggieDent Fr3sh Dental Chews

We wanted to include a fully veggie option in this list, and these dental chews by Virbac are a fantastic VOHC-approved example.

You might find that your husky doesn’t take to the flavor immediately, but they’re a great option if your husky does enjoy these.

They have a patented z-shape, improving chewing action, and contain a prebiotic to support proper digestion.

10. VetIQ Minties

If your husky is prone to having bad breath (outside of a health issue), look no further than these dental dog treats by VetIQ.

These contain five natural breath fresheners to boost your husky’s breath while having tough textures and edges that provide a good challenge for your pup.

They aren’t VOHC-approved, though, and we’ve found that some huskies can dislike the flavor.

11. Pedigree Dentastix Original Variety Pack

Pedigree has been around for a long time, and they’re well-known for producing some of the best pet products on the market.

Their Dentastix products are extremely popular, making excellent treats for your husky during training or exercise.

They aren’t VOHC-approved, but they are ideal as regular treats.

12. Bones & Chews Pig Ear

The last treat I wanted to mention is the pig ear from Bones & Chews.

This one obviously isn’t a dental chew, but it’s worth mentioning because huskies love to chew on natural products like pig ears or bones.

These types of products aren’t as proven to directly benefit oral health, although chewing of any kind does help oral health, but they are more focused on providing mental stimulation.

Pig ears are very tough, and it’ll take a long time for your husky to get through one, so think of these as weekly treats for mental stimulation rather than direct oral health.

Benefits Of Dental Chews For Huskies

Before we wrap this article up, let’s explore some benefits of dental chews for huskies to see why you should consider adding them to your husky’s diet.

Dental Hygiene

The first and most obvious benefit of giving your husky dental chews is improving their dental hygiene.

It’s a simple fact that dogs who chew actively have less plaque build-up, and those who chew dental chews have even less plaque build-up.

Aside from that, chews also help to freshen your husky’s breath and put them at a lower risk of developing oral problems.

Mental Stimulation

We all know how much mental stimulation huskies need, even outside their intense exercise requirements.

Dental chews are great for giving your husky mental stimulation without you having to do any work, especially those that are durable and last a long time.

Great For Rewards During Training

Huskies are notoriously difficult to train, so you should be open to getting help where you can.

This is where dental chews come in.

Just like regular treats, dental chews are great for rewarding your husky during obedience training, especially if you can find a treat that your husky especially loves.

Always Consult A Veterinarian

When introducing dental chews to your husky’s diet, it’s essential to speak to your veterinarian for their advice.

You should never use dental chews as a replacement for cleaning your husky’s teeth, which many people don’t realize.

You can find the full steps for cleaning your husky’s teeth here if you don’t know how to do this.

In Summary

Hopefully, this article has given you all the information you need to know why dental chews are beneficial for your husky and which products are best.

VOHC-approved dental chews are the most effective at boosting oral hygiene but don’t forget that you should be brushing your husky’s teeth regardless, and sometimes other chews can be great for the mental stimulation they provide.

Experiment with different flavors, and you’ll be sure to find a flavor that your husky loves, no matter how stubborn they are.